davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
Respectfully,
]. N. HOLDING.
Raleigh, N G., Sept. 5. 1900.
A Test of Atwater's Democracy Sug
gested:

To the Editor: Mr.. Atwater's well
known loyalty to the Democratic party
will surely not permit him to pursue any
course that would endanger the success
Of the party. The supreme test of ones
loyalty is the subservience of the per-
sonal or individual interest to the de-
mands of his party.
The numerous protests from every
county of the district, the letters of so
many correspondents of the daily papers,
the ringing resolutions of the Apex Club
all indicate a disposition on the part
of Democrats throughout the district
not to swallow the Atwater dose as they
did in 1898
The nomination of this gentleman will
certainly create a luke Warmness in the
Democratic organization. A lack of in
terest predicates defeat. And a defeat
means shame and humiliation at this
time when we possess every reasonable
hope of victory.
If Mr.. Atwater is a Democrat, he can
demonstrate his Democracy in no truer,
clearer, nor nobler maner than by yield
ing to the necessity for party peace. AS
a Democrat, he can readily appreciate the
urgent need of harmony. AS Democrat,
he should desire to witness the full
strength of his party at the polls in No
vember. AS a Democrat, he cannot fail
to recognize the fact that it is now in
his power to materially injure the Demo-
cratic party
1t remains to be seen if he can stand
the test of sacrificing personal ambition
to the good of his party. Whom will
he serve? Democracy or Atwater?
Mr.. Atwater received his reward two
years ago in anticipation of the service
he was to render the white people of
the State. The account between him and
those people stands balanced. l deny
that he is due anything at our hands. He
has been accorded a full measure OF non
or. Other men have received less for
greater deserts.
Let no mistaken sense of gratitude or
sentiment cause us to make mistake or
to forget what is proper and expedient.
Let him be nominated who can secure the
undivided strength of the party Let the
nominee be one whose record in days OF
defeat and darkness is the record OF I'M
dismayed loyalty.
G G HOI.T
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06

being anxious to hear and to know what
the proposition TO be submitted was,
which would bring victory to White Su-
premacy and the Democratic cause
there was a death-liIe silence. All list
ened attentively, heard the proposition,
and while some objected yet, the senti-
ment for the proposed plan of deliver
ance carried and we all know
today what it was. make no nomination
but vote for Mr.. Atawter." This was vir-
tually a nomination by the party.
Second. Mr.. Atwater would never have
been an Independent candidate for Con-
gress. had not our trusted leaders sent
for him and promised him their support.
Our leaders would never have promised
Mr.. Atwater their influence to elect him
had they not believed him to be true
and honest man. If he was worthy OF
our support then, is he not more wor-
thy now after having cast every vote
while in Congress with the Democrats
Third. If this convention had been
held before the August election there
would practically have been no opposi-
ton to Mr.. Atwater. This is so, you all
know. Now / want to know what is the
matter with Hannah? not Mckinley s
Hanna.
Fourth Mr. Atwater while member
of the Legislature kept Raleigh and other
cities from being gerrymandered and put
under negro rule.
Fifth He canvassed the district for
White Supremacy, he paid his own eX-
penses. gave literally to the State Execu-
tive committee, and the district was car
| ried by 5000 majority. "And still he is
not a Democrat"
Sixth. Our entire delegation from
| North Carolina are of one profession.
| Mr.. Atwater is from the working people,
| he knows their wants and is in close
! touch with our farming interest and of
| all people, the farm should be repre-
sented in our National Legislature.
| Seventh. The doors of the Democratic
party were wide open and all good Popu-
| list were invited back. Mr.. Atwater re-
| turned, bringing with him 5000 of the
| best men of the party and they helped
| US to victory. Without them we would
| never have seen the glorious sunshine
| which spread its rays of light upon
| those who we're struggling for White Su-
| premacy and good government. That gov
| eminent which protects the good women
who live out of the cities and towns from
! the crouching black hyena in hiding,
ready to spring upon some unsuspecting
| country woman or maid whose virtue is
| as pure and white as the drifted snow.
"Then say, are we under no obligation
| to Mr.. Atwater?"
Eighth. Because the farmers of the
| district want him, the good women want
! him, because he has been attentive to
| the wants of his constituents. He has
given Wake county a free rural mail de-
livery. There is nothing that can be
brought against him as our representa-
! tive. He is always ready to serve his
people, He is Jealous of their rights, for
he is one of them.
| 10 BLAKE,
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
why Atwater Should Be Renominated

To the Editor: l notice in your issue
of yesterday number of communications
against the nomination of Mr.. Atwater as
Congressman from this district. Most
of the reasons given against nominating
Mr.. Atwater are not supported by facts,
and were evidently given under miscon-
eeption OF the situation. After two sue
cessive defeats of our candidates in this
district, and realizing the necessity of
putting up some candidate who could
redeem our district. and who would help
restore white supremacy in the State,
cur leaders, two years ago urged Mr..
Atwater to announce himself an indie
pendent candidate for Congress, pledging
him the support of our party. Our lead
ers did this after consultation with Mr..
Atwater. and after ascertaining from him
the fact that he was really a Democrat
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
AtWater for Congress,

To the Editor: The Democracy of Hon.
j. w. Atwater has been questioned on the
streets today, and ii seems there is quite
AN effort to defeat him. Having known
him fer years. l know there is not a
truer Democrat in the State. When in
the General Assembly of 1897, he did
more than any other one man, to prevent
the turning of North Carolina cities over
to fusion rule. 1t was largely his vote
and his influence that saved Greensboro;
Charlotte and other towns. He has made
us faithful. honest and true represen-
tative in Congress, and during the cam
raign lust ended. he spent his time and
means for Tie success of the Democratic
party.
What better test of party fealty can
any one ask?
There were many true men who con-
scientiously went into the Populist move
ment, and who. after seeing the drift
that movement was taking. came back
to the Democratic fold upon our urgent
invitation. After they came back and
worked as Congressman Atwater has done,
are they to be unceremoniOusly and con-
temptuously told that we have no further
need for them? Such action would be
rankest ingratitude. and do not believe
the great Democratic party will be guilty
of it. j. NJ. GRIFFIN.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
ALE. w. THOMPSON.
For Congress- Hon. ]. W. Atwater.

To IRE Editor: The wise business man
before he reaches conclusion always
considers facts. Even SO does the poll
ticiar.
We scar it said by the DESTROYS politi-
clan that Mr.. Atwater is the weakest
man that the Fourth district can nomi-
nate for Congressman. Let us see. Here
are the figures:
In 1898 Atwater defeated Jenkins by
S3S votes: in 1896. Stroud beat Pou 4,542
votes: IL 1894. Stroud beat Cooke 1882
votes: i'm 1892. Bum beat Stroud LOO
votes. In 1898. Atwater lost Chatham by
200: in 1895. Pou lost Chatham by 1923
votes; in 1898. Atwater carried Franklin
by 1OS majority; in 1885, Pou lost Frank
lin By 500.
In 1898. Atwater carried Johnston by
a majority OF 1927; in 1896, POu carried
Johnston by $40.
In 1898, Atwater carried Nash by 229i IN
1895, Pou was defeated in Nash by
majority against him of 1,341 votes; in
1898, Wake gave Atwater 5,4SS and his
opponent Jenkins 5,102 Yates; In 1896,
Wake gave Pou 4,456 and Stroud $500
votes.
In Chatham. Franklin. Nash and Wake
counties. II 1898. Mr.. Atwater received
2,209 votes, and. in 1896. Mr.. Pou re-
ceived 9,971 votes in the same counties.
In 1898. Mr. Atwa:ar received in the
county of Johnston 3.4S2 votes. and, in
Johnston county. in 1896. Mr.. Pou re-
ceived 3.112 votes.
These facts were obtained from the
Score arv CT States Office. Hence we
say that Mr.. Atwater is the strongest
man in the district; that his vote in the
Popul,st strongholds of the Fourth dis
trict exceeded the Hon. E. w. Pou's by
2,23S votes.
The reason for the special comparison
between r.Ae vote of Pou and Atwater. is
the peculiar strength of Mr. Pou. for he
is a gentleman of ability and very great
popularity, and his candidacy was sep
only two wears.
The power of figures is very great,
while the speech of the tongue is often
lame and impotent T. G. RYAN.
Atwater for Congress.
To the Editor: 1 give eight
reasons why John W. Atwater
should receive the nomination for
Congress from the Fourth Congress
sional district, at the hands of the Dem
ocratic convention which convenes to-
day.
First. Two years ago when the Con-
gressional convention for this district
met in Raleigh a dark political cloud
overshadowed this district, and we had
q difficult problem to solve Our dele
gates assembled to view the situation,
and after much honest consultation to-
gether, with some strongly favoring the
nomination of a straight Democrat, a
majority of the convention favoring this
course, behold, a wise and true Demo-
crat, a man whom we all could trust, es-
pecially in the council of Democrats
came to the convention thus assembled
and in a low voice says, Hush, be STILL
wait, new idea has developed in the
brain of our most trusted leader" All
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06

macy with which it was managed were
at the time universally commended. Dur
ing these campaigns, Mr. Smith collected
very little money from the party, and
spent out of his own pocket nearly TOUR
thousand dollars.
In 1894 against his desire Gas it was
well recognized that no Democrat could
be electedD he accepted the nomination
for the State Senate from Wake county
and made the campaign at heavy eX-
nense TO himself, but went down with
the balance in the great slump OF that
year
For all these party services, Mr.. Smith
has never received any recognition, and
is the only ex-chairman in the State,
perhaps, who has not.
Two years ago he believed that a
! democrat should be nominated for Con-
| gress in this district, and believed that
| one could be elected. The result shows
| that his opinion was correct; for it is
| now apparent that a Democrat would
have carried the district by $500 major
| ity. He was the overwhelming choice
| of the district convention for the nomina-
| ton that year, but the chairman of the
| State committee and other party leaders
! thought it was wise to make no nominal
| ton. and he told his friends in the con-
yention to act for the best interests of
the party without regard to his own per-
| sonal interests.
| Mr. Smith is a man of good business ca
| pacity and ability, and in all the enter
prises with which he is connected he has
| always been a safe and valuable ad-
wiser. He is a good lawyer, and logical
| debater; and although his work has been
mostly devoted to the executive business
of the party there is no man who makes
a clearer or stronger speech. In addi-
| ton to this, he is now, and from the
! first has been an ardent supporter of Mr.
Bryan and his principles; and, if Mr.. Bry-
an is elected as now seems almost GER
tain, it will be well for our member in
Congress to be thoroughly in line with
him and his principles.
In the spring of 1892, when it looked
as though the disrupters of the Demo
cratic party (Marion Butler and his
] allies) would get control of the State
convention and send national delegates
to Omaha instead of Chicago, Mr.. Smith
wrote the famous Ellington letter, defin-
ing who should take part in the Demo
cratic primaries. This letter, it was adj
mitted by all Democrats and even by But
! Ter himself, prevented the accomplish
ment of that purpose, and defeated Mr.
Smith for the nomination for Attorney
| General for which he was a candidate
before the State convention that year
all the Butler element of the party vot-
ing against his nomination, Mr.. Butler
| himself going on the floor of the conven-
tion and appealing to his friends to vote
against him because of that letter.
In view of these facts, we respectfully
submit to the convention that Mr.. Smith
| should receive this nomination. If nom
mated, we believe he will reflect credit
uper the district. We know he will rep
resent all classes of people fairly and
justly.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
Asheboro N. c., Sept. 5, 1900.
w. B. Shaw For Congress.

To the Editor: While there are plen-
ty of good men in the district who would
reflect credit upon us in the United
States Congress, l know no man so well
fitted, nor more deserving the honor
than w. B. Shaw, of Vance county He
was my fathers captain during the War
Between the State and he will testify
that he was never found with his back
to the enemy. And if nominated for
Congress he will never be found with
his back to the greatest of all enemies
to our political freedom, the Republican
party. He is a man of the highest moral
character. always standing up for the
right and condemning the wrong. He
has always been faithful to the Demo-
cratic party, going wherever she calls,
and doing whatever she demanded There
are others who have made sacrifices for
the party; Mr. Shaw has sacrificed more
than any man / know. There are other
deserving men; Mr.. Shaw is the most
deserving There are other strong men;
Mr.. Shaw is the strongest man. There
are other good men, Mr.. Shaw is the
best of them all Give us w. B. Shaw
and we will be satisfied.
Feeling assured that victory will be
ours,
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06

Six names will be presented to the
convention for the nomination lot
Congress- from this district-one from
every county in the district except
oneeNash. They are:
JOHN W. ATlVATER, of Chatham.
i. L. ELLINGTON, of Johnston.
w. c. HAMMER, of Randolph.
w. b. SHAW, of Vance.
T.. C. SMITH, of Wake.
II S. SPRUILL, of Franklin.
Not until yesterday were three of
these candidates definitely announc-
ed-Ellington, Hammer and Smith.
IT is the field against Atwater and
NO man can predict the result.
Atwaters opponents last nlght
were declaring they had him beat.
His friends were declaring that his
chances were brighter than when he
came here on Tuesday.
A considerable NUMBER OF the lead
ing and most influential delegates
from all the counties of the district
hay, already arrived, and yesterday
afternoon and last night the lobby
of tbe Marlborough was a busy scene.
Last night an informal canvass or
the strength of each candidate, so far
those mere NCIC tClC ~
it. showed the following result on the
first ballot, with six candidates IN the
field:
Randolph, As votes for Hammer
Chatham, "a votes for Atwater.
Johnston, 81 votes for Ellington.
Wake, divided between Atwater ana
Smith.
Nash, 16 for Atwater and 16 for
Spruill.
Franklin, Al for Spruill.
Vance, % for Shaw.
with Hammer out of the race, Ran
doll,h would be pretty equally divld-
ed between the other candidates.
With Ellington out of the race,
Johnston would give very few, If any
votes for Atwater.
With Smith out of the race, Wake
would give two-thirds or more of her
vote for Atwater.
1t will thus be seen that the en-
trlnce of these three new candidates
into the contest yesterday has very
much complicated the situation, max
ing it certain that there will be no
na1Apation until quite a number of
~xC have been taken.
& niResa Mr.. Atwater staying
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
Raleigh, N. c., Sept. 8, 1900.
Atwater For Congress.


To the Editor: There are many rea-
sons why Mr.. Jno. w. Atwater should be
ranominated by our convention today, but
| shall give here only two, which to my
mind are sufficient to bind our party to
renominate him.
First. He came to the rescue of our
party two years ago, when the leaders of
our party were in desperate straits, and
greatly feared that the cause of White
Supremacy would not win in the campaign
then in progress. They called on Mr..
Atwater then, and used him to redeem
our district, and also, to help redeem the
State. He was good enough and
straight" enough TO use then, why is
he not straight" enough to honor with
the nomination now?
Second. Every delegate to the conven-
ton knows that if the convention had
been held before the August election, as
the conventions in most of the other dis
tricts were held, and as our convention
should have been held. then Mr.. Atwater
would have been nominated without q
word about straight Democrat only" be-
ing good enough for the office. | can't
believe the party will tolerate a trick in
order ITO get the influence Of a certain
class of citizens in the recent election,
and then after the election is past give
that class to understand that we have
no use for such as they are any longer.
Candor and common justice and honesty
all demand of us the nomination of Mr..
Atwater.
Respectfully
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
Totals 421 21,014

Totals Al 2I,UI4
The different delegations will meet
at IL o'clock a. m. to organize and
elect vice-president and members OF
the committee on credentials, perma-
nent organization, platform and reso-
buttons, and executive committee.
The Wake delegation will meet in
the Mayors office. The Nash dele
CATION in Capt. Bunn's room at the
Marlboro, and the other delegations
in different parts of the hall.
JAMES X. YOUNG,
Chairman.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06

in him the strong elements that go to
make up a successful statesman. Ran
dolph would be glad of the recognition
of the claims of herself and her son to
this nomination.
Do the wise thing, gentlemen of the
convention, and nominate VIM. c. Ham
mer, the peer of them all.
WILEY RUST
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06
Atwater For Congress.

To the Editor: The Congressional con-
yention in the Fourth district, which
meets in Raleigh on the 9th of September
should nominate Hon. John w. Atwater
for Congress for several reasons:
First. Mr.. Atwater. when in the State
Senate as q Populist in the Legislature
of 1S95-1S97, stood always for the white
neonIe OF the Eastern towns and cities,
and did all he could to prevent the Re-
pubIicans and Pritchard Pops from turn
ing them over to the tender mercies OF
dbe negroes. His record in that matter
is known of all men and commends him TO
the consideration of all Democrats.
Second In 1898. when the Democratic
PARTY of North Carolina was making
herculean effort to overturn the negro
rule of the holton, Pritchard, Butler, Jlm
Young and Abe Middleton crowd. Jonn
w Atwater TONED with us and did all ne
could for the cause of white supremacy,
and his cause was followed by hundreds OF
Populists in this and other districts as
soon as i was seen that he ana MS Iol-
lowing would be fairly treated.
Third. Democratic platforms, Demo-
cratic speakers and Democratic neWspa-
pers. Lave for two or three campaigns
said to PoDulists. Come back ana vote
with us and we will treat you 1alrly'
...ere will be no back down and no back
seats. but you shall be treated Just IKE
YOU had never left u.s." Atwater' When
elected. went to Congress as Democrat;
went into the Democratic caucus ana
voted with the Democrats in Congress.
No Democrat has been heard to criticise
CONTINUED on Page Three)
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-06

Mr.. Atwater, asked late yesterday
afternoon what he thought of the sit
uaton, replied
Il think I'll be nominated, | may be
mistaken. but / believe | have enough
votes to nominate me on the first bal
lot.
'If not, | have a pretty good home
to 90 back TO in Chatham. But |
shall feel that | have been unjustly
treated. / have tried to make faith
full representative, and | believe l
have-my friends say so at least. At
any rate my votes have been in ac-
cordance with the votes of the other
Democratic Congressman from North
Carolina. They have all been renom-
mated without opposition. Now my
nomination is threatened in the face
of the custom of always giving a
man the second term. and why? Be
cause | once was a Populist. If | am
turned out for this, what are you go
ing to say to the Populists you have
invited back and have come? Must
they always be under the ban and in
the rear ranks?
again, | am the only representa-
tive of the farming class now in Con-
oress from North Carolina-all the
rest are lawyers. Now suppose I'm
turned down for a lawyer--how are
you going to explain it to the farm
ers?
''Of course whatever the convention
does I'll abide by, but these are some
of the things that may be just a lit
tie difficult to explain after it's all
over
The Randolph delegation are strong
for Mr.. Hammer, and declare that he
will be the man.
The Johnston delegation are equal
ly well convinced that Sheriff Elling-
ton is the solution of the problem.
They will present his name to the
convention.
''WiIl the name of Mr.. f. w. Pou
be presented?" / asked one of his
friends.
"No." he replied. That is, it will
not be presented with his consent"
Another delegate from Johnston
said:
1--WE will urge the nomination of
Sheriff Ellington, but in certain con-
tingencies the name of f. w. Pou
MAY be put before the convention,
Notwithstanding his withdrawal"
All the county delegations will this
morning caucus, and these caucuses
may result in somewhat clearing the
atmosphere in regard to the Congress
sional situation.
The Wake county delegates will
meet in the court house at II O'Clock
and will decide which OF its three can
didates = Beckwith, Douglass or
Fields--it will present to the conven-
ton for elector. Mr.. Douglass having
practically withdrawn, the race is be-
tween Mr.. Beckwith and Mr.. Fields.