The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-25
LADIES GRACE THE SCENE
Republicans Join Lustily in Cheering
at the Speaking.
AYCOCK MAKES THE SPEECH OF HIS LIFE
So it is Declared by Those Who Heard Him
His Powerful Argument For the Amend
ment. Or. Dixon and the Other
Candidates Speak.
Especial to News and Observer

Waynesvlle, N. c., April 24.-"I knew
Haywood was a Democratic county, but
| had no idea that you were all Demo-
crats," said Mr.. Aycock in the beginning
of his speech at Waynesville today. And
it did look as if he spoke the truth. The
population of the whole county seemed to
be here-a cheering mass of enthusias-
tic humanty-numbering thousands.
This is the home of Bob Gilmer, the
next Attorney General. and the demon
stration today was in honor of him, and
especially of his colleagues on the Demo-
cratic State ticket. 1t was a splendid
tribute to him and to them. Mere COM
pliment would lack and lag did l attempt
to describe it, 1t was a great day for
Democracy, an occasion which the Dem
ocrats of Haywood county have cause to
be proud of.
Long before the arrival of the train
from Bryson City bringing theicandidates.
people collected about the depot in great
numbers-men, women and children.
Hare also was the Waynesville band. Car
riages for the candidates and invited
guests were on waiting, while near by
in line stood upwards of two hundred
men on horseback. These were command
ed by Mr.. Garland Ferguson and Mr.. r.
A. l.. Hyatt as chief marshals. The train
bearing Messrs. Aycock Glmer, Grimes,
Lacy, Dixon and Rogers arrived at II 80
o'clock. They were greeted with cheers
music and waving of banners. The pro-
cession was at once formed. 1t was head
ed by the chief marshalls and two assis-
tants, followed by the band. Next came
the candidates and others in carriages.
Behind them were two hundred horsemen
and great number of citizens. All sorts
of banners and flags were carried, from
a large "Old Glory to tiny flag Of pure
white. On one was inscribed "Gilmer,
Bryan and the Boers, another bore the
strange device "Our Cock Robin referr-
ing to Mr. Gilmer and being a play on the
title of a book written and published by
him some years ago.
Many of the private residences and
places of business were decorated with
flags and bunting and people crowded We
randas and sidewalks cheering and waving
flags as the procession passed
Cheers for "Gilmer,' "Aycock" ''De-
mocracy" rent the air and now and then
the hcrsemen, many of them old men with
gray locks, would give the rebel YELL 1t
was most thrilling and inspiring. No
friend nor foe might look upon this
demonstration and go forth unconvinced
of its serious meaning. 1t was no May
day parade Both it and the speaking
later left deep impression upon the
people here.
At the court house where tie people
from the whole country around had as
sembled, the procession was disbanded
and the candidates were taken to the hos
pitable home of Mr.. Gilmer where they
were entertained at dinner. The speak
ing began at two o'clock and lasted until
4:30. 1t was in the court house which
was packed to seemingly the last possible
human being, and great number of peo-
pie anxious to hear had to be turned
away. It. was an audience composed of
the very best people in the county and
was as sympathetic as it enthusias-
tic, and Mr.. Aycocks appearance and
every mention of his name was greeted
with a thunder of applause.
in this audience there were many ladies
and not few Republicans. Oftentimes the
Republicans applauded as Justify as the
Democrats. and after the speaking many
Of them declared their intention of voting
for the amendment in August.
The first speaker was DR.. Dixon who
was introduced by Mr.. Gilmer. Dr. Dix
on's speech was splendid introduction to
what was to follow: it sparkled with wit
and apt remarks, putting the audience in
fine good humor.
SPEECH BY DR.. DIXON.
Speaking of Waynesville and the mag
nificent reception it had given the Demo-
cratic candidates he said "This is the
most beautiful city of the transmOntanc
section and / have no doubt it will some
day be the greatest. 1t is beautiful
enough for angels to dwell in, and | be-
lieve they do. The women are beautiful
and the men are strong and powerful like
the sons of Anak; these are the sons OF
the men that followed Revolutionary lead
ers through these mountains and shot
Monarchism to death. applause } I'm glad
to see this great crowd. This is the
crowd. / believe, that Mr.. Butler was
going to run out of the State. CA voice
from the crowd, We amt ready to move
yet Tremendous applause). No, my
friend, we are not, and according to my
way of thinking about the only way he
will ever run this crowd out of the State
will be like Sam Jones' dog ran the hog
out OF the lot with the dog ahead Cap
plause). The adoption of the Constitu-
tional Amendment is to be an epoch in