The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-08
/, IN THEIR CONVENTION
They Favor Primary For United
States Senator.
AND WANT LONGER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A Splendid Speech on the Amendment by State
Chairman Simmons. Delegates APP
pointed to State and Con-
or ssionaI Conventions.

Harmony, determination and enthu-
siasm characterized the meeting of
Wake county Democrats in this cit"
yesterday.
No county convention has ever met
here that was composed of better and
more representative men.
They transacted the business that
they were sent to do in an orderly
manner and when that was done they
stopped.
In the resolutions adopted they de.
fined clearly and forcibly their posi-
ton in the coming campaign and in
vited all who favor, good government
and White Supremacy in Wake county
and North Carolina to join them.
And through it all there ran a
strong current of that determination
which knows no opposition that 1T
cannot overcome. and an enthusiasm
that BODIES no good for those seeking
to perpetuate negro rule in the State.
The most perfect harmony and good
feeling prevailed, and there was not
an incident of any sort to mar the
pleasure of the convention.
Though not so largely attended as
some others, it was altogether, one
of the best and most suspicious as
semblages of Wake Democrats held
in many years: and fitting climax
to the proceedings was the able and
eloquent speech of State Chairman
Simmons on the proposed Constitu-
tional Amendment
The convention didn't begin exactly
on time-conventions never do.
Noon was the hour set, but the
hands of the clock had folded them
selves together over the XII mark on
the dial and the minute hand had trav-
eled quarter of the distance around
again before County Chairman Jones
raped for order.
Mr.. Josephus Daniels was called to
the chair as temporary chairman and
Mr.. G. c. Mcdonald was asked to act
as secretary.
On assuming the gavel Mr.. Daniels.
after thanking the convention for the
honor, said, among other things:
VANCE AND AYCOCK
For thirty years, burdened with the
incubus of the solid negro vote, the De-
macracy of Wake has had to contest every
foot CT ground. In 1898, after a reign of
misgCvernment we scaled the hills and
today our county in every department is
in the hands of Democrats. When we
march into the State convention, with the
largest vote of any county in the State,
and some one says who are those thirty
valiant Democrats, the answer will be:
These are they who came up through
great tribulatiOns.
I'VE are on the eve of a campaign that
has but one precedent in the history of
our State. In 1876, when the Democrats
they had already wrested the Legislature
from the Republican party, but that party
held the executive and judiciary of the
State. 1t was backed by the solid negro
vote-then as now, it was backed by q
horde of red-legged grasshoppers-then
as now, it had the support of those who
loved office more than reform-then as
now. And the Democracy. scattered and
poor, had no weapons but the sling and
pebble wherewith to fight the giant. In
that hour there was call for a leader
no mere Mace hunter, but leader who
in his person represented the aspirations
and virtue of the undaunted and unpur-
chasable manhood of the Commonwealth
There were many great men in the coun
ellis CT the party who would have graced
the executive office. But the people
passed over many notable men and turn
ed their eyes. toward Mecklenburg county,