The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-31

erful Speech-Picnic Dinner ADAM
doned of Continued Rain
It was a magnificent demonstration
paid to white supremacy and its chief
leader, Aycock, yesterday at Burgaw
when the staunch democracy Of Pen
der, together with their friends from
the surrounding counties, numbering
in all about SCOOP Anticipated in one Of
the most enthusiastic rallies of the
whole campaign.
The procession that escorted Gov
ernor' Aycock from the train to the
speakers rostrum, was about a half
mile long and was headed by the chief
marshal and his six aides. followed by
the Second Regiment band Of this city.
There were three gaily decorated
floats containing A most beautiful
young ladies, all robed in purest white.
After this was a long procession, about
300 men on horseback clad in the sig
nificant red shirts and followed by an
other hundred red-shirterS on foot.
The procession marched through b
principal streets Of the own and
aroused unbounded enthusiasm.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. r. G. Grady and was opened with
a very fervent prayer by Rev. D. P.
McGeachy Of the Presbyterian church.
Mr.. Grady said that for the last ten
days the democratic executive COM
mittee, in order to relieve Mr.. Aycock
of the terrible strain of speaking so
much had been sending out able and
we'll known men with him. To-day
we have one," he said, well known
to everybody in the state" Hon. F. A.
Woodward, of Wilson.
Mr.. Woodward was greeted with Wild
cheers. For one hour and fifteen min
utes he made a most imoressive AMI
mastery address, such e speech as is
calculated to do much good.
"The political battle is nearly over
he began, land the victory almost won.
We are going to win this victory be-
cause the democratic party represents
all that is best in the life, thoughts
and aspirations of the people of this
state.
The democratic party is going to win
by reason of the character of the men
who compose it. 1t is going to win by
the record of the republican party
while in control of this state. It is go
ing to win because by it's record it is
the only party that can give us a good
government and peace. 1t is going to
win because an appeal is made to the
white men to saw the state.
He briefly, but impressiveiy, de-
scTibsd the horrors OF the reconstruct
ton and declared that the republican
party was the party of lawlessness,
disorder and vice whenever it was in
control"
He old of the glorious redemption of
the state by the people headed by the
great commoner, Vance, and showed the
difference in every way of u people
under the democratic and republican
rule. He compared the senators sent
from this state in the past to those
who now disgrace us in that body.
Butler and Holton received a severe
clubbing for their despicable scheme of
resorting to federal interference and
having democratic registrars arrested.
Intense enthusiasm was aroused by
his reference to the Rose Hill affair
where a registrar was arrested at the
instance of Marion Butler only this
week.
Mr.. Woodland paid a magnificent trib-
ute to the democratic p-ees Of the
state, for their work in this "ampaign
and named The Messenger ae ne of
four who are most deserving OF praise.
He referred in strong terms 20 the
amendment and declared positively
that it would not disfranchise a single
white man while under it's rule, $4,000
negroes will be deprived of the ballot.
The policy of the democratic party,
he declared to be to give to h people
the power to govern themselves.
Mr.. Woodlands magnificent effort was
highly complimented.
He was followed by Mr.. J.. P. Bland,
who in a few words, eloquently intro
duced Mr.. Aycock.
Our next governor started out on
what is considered would have been
n of the clearest expositions of the
amendment of any of his addresses, but
after speaking about Il minutes, a ter
rible rain began to fall, and at Mr.. Ay-
cocks request, despite the frequent
cries of go on" the meeting was ad-
journed. For the few minutes he did
speak, he completely captivated his au-
dience. By his sparkling wit and bril-
liant sarcasm he makes an ideal cam
paigner.s So many were disappointed
that an unusually large crowd will go
over to Clinton to-day to hear him.
The rain continued all the rest of the
afternoon and so completely broke up
the big basket picnic dinner, which had
been provided by the women Of Fender.
They had prepared abundantly and
bountifully and all were disappointed
at the necessary abandonment Of the
dinner.
In the afternoon in the court house
the Wilmington Second Regiment band
gave a concert which was enjoyed by
a large crowd. Many Of the visitors.
including all the Wilmington delega-
ton and a Messenger representative.
returned to the city on the regular train
at 6 o'clock.
60 Eoffn0 And Sl>a-f--