The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-01
THE BANQUET
At LAUR|NBURG
The Lexington of the Late
Campaign.
THE VICTORY CELEBRATED
AMID FLOWERS. ELOQUENCE
ANpREAurY.
SPEAKERS AND .ToAsTS OF The EVENING
The Eloquent Speech of Congressman elect
BeIIamy. The Rev. Jesse H. Page
Presided and no Wine
was Served.

rial Correspondence.)- 1.-The campaign of
1893 was opened at this place on re
10Th Of May with n Great White Man.
rally ut which Hon. Chas. b. Aycock
and Hon. Locke Craig made speeches
that stirred the people. These We're
the first speeches made in the cam
paign. That early May meeting set the
pace for the wonderful campaign that
followed. 1t was in this section. later
on when the aggressions Of Radical
politicians had become almost unbeara-
bile, that the people first put on the
Red Shirt-the emblem that the negroes
and their white allies understood TO
mean that the white men were de-
termined at all costs to put an end TO
rule that disgraced the State aud vir-
tually DISTINGUISHED the intelligence and
virtue of the State
The Influences that went out from
the May meeting. when Aycock and
Craig first sounded the keynote of the
campaign. aud the Red Shirt brigade
permeated to the remotest corners of the
State. convincing the people that their
only hope was in Democratic rule and
strengthening their determination to
drive out the despoilers even at the
sacrifice of their business and their
comfort.
1t was fitting that the community.
which started the ball rolling, should
celebrate the victory in manner that
would be historic and the great ban
quet here last night was worthy of the
spirit of the unterrifed Democracy of
the Lexington of the campaign. The
first shot for White Supremacy fired
here was heard from Murphy to Man
teo. The recollections of last nights
banquet will be as lasting as they are
pleasant to those whose good fortune
it was to be present.
Promptly ut eight o'clock the com
pany gathered in Fields Hall, which
had been beautifully decorated by the
PATRIOTS women of the town. Flowers
gave a fragrance, bunting in patriotic
colors lent glow, and the presence of
the lovely bellies Of the town who waited
on the guests made the scene one OF
rare beauty and of loyeliness. Visitors
We're present from all the adjacent towns
in this Red Shirt end of the State, ana
farmers from the surrounding fertile
farms came TO join their town neighbors
in celebrating victory which they had
won by common labor and common sac
rifice. The campaign Of 1898 made men
brethren as they had never been be-
re and destroyed all artificial distinc
pns between white men founded upon
lie accident of birth or fortune.
Rev. Jesse I'll. Page presided over "tht
- Of - .,,,J
ode model toast-master. He inter-
lersed his introductions with made
right and witty remarks which lent an
evating humor TO the occasion. The
lpper was an elegant one, embracing
very delicacy of the season, prepared
tempt the appetite, and served by
ne young ladies of the town. most
becomingly arrayed in the sweetest of
apron creations and bewitching head
gear of some light material that sat
like crowns upon their heads. Paren-
thetically their loneliness turned the
head of more than one susceptible youth
who forgot to enjoy the tempting yiands
set before him. These fair maids served
no wine, but delicious coffee. As 4 beau
tiful young woman, attired in a striking
red costume mot unlike the famous
Red Shirt in its crimson) handed II
talented young politician cup of deli
cious coffee, he was heard TO say, soto
voce:
a sweeter draught from a fair hand
was never quaffed'
And many older fellows felt 10 make
the same remark The menu and SER
vice would have done credit to mine
host of the Marlborough House at it's
best.
The speaking, which followed when
the cigars were lighted. was of high
order. Hon. +. NJ Simmons was the
first speaker. as was proper. He was
given an ovation which must have made
him feel that lie was among friends who
appreciated his splendid management Of
the campaign. His theme was sour
Glorious Victory" He caught his
hearers by his first sentence and wop
round after round Of applause for his
happy and bright speech. and when he
SAT down the people cheered and cheered
again in appreciation of his excellent
speech.
The other toasts responded to were
as follows:
Hon. Jno. ID. Bellamy-"H How we Won
Our Victory
Mr.. Josephus Daniels-"Democrats
will Redeem Their Pledges
Hon. James r. LeGrand-"The Cam
: paign of 1900.
Hon. w. c. Dowd-"The Red Shirts
of Richmond"
Mr.. Cameron Morrison White sc-
premacy.
Hon. Henry Clay Wall-"Our Sou !
Carolina Neighbors.'
Major George HaIl--"why we Re
joice''
Thos. S. Wright-"He is Our New
Democratic Sheriff
No report of the brilliant sayings Of