The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-10-18
LET CONSCIENCE GUIDE.
PASSWORD IN SENATORIAL CONTEST
SHOULD BE DUTY,
the Brilliant, Energetic.
Prudent, Patient, Wise, Able, Fear
less Young Leader Would Make an
Ideal Senator-True to Every Duty
in the Past He Would Prove Recre.
ant to None in the Future.
Correspondence Raleigh Post

MY years constant work in the Demo-
cratic harness -four OF which were
spent in the war between the States,
the marks of which are indclible and
from the effects Of which / shall never
recovery ought to entitle an old reb
to any recognition, desire space in
your columns to say few words.
L believe conscience will guide US
in politics as we'll as in anything
else, il we will just take little time
to turn our thoughts inward and
listen to her small voice she will be
sure to admonish us that to do right
for the sake OF right and justice is the
only safe and honorable rule Of con-
duct by which we should be governed
and that it applies as well to public
as it does to private life. Then, in
the contest for Senator to fill Buffers
place. would say to all Democrats,
come let us reason together and listen
to our consciences, and do honestly
and bravely whatever may be pointed
out as our duty.
Simmons was not a soldier twas not
old enough); his friends claim moth
ing for him on that count, but say
that his eminent and valuable services
to the State in her greatest political
need ought to entitle him to as much
or more consideration than any Of tie
above named, or any one else.
take all true Democrats to be
loyal and like the old rebel soldiers
will go where and do what duty tells
hem is right; and in this contest the
password should be Duty, and that
duty which is inspired by sense of
right and justice, and which will re-
suit in intelligent and thoughtful
action, and which demands that all
true and honest men should look
neither to the right nor left, but march
straight up to it.
Will the true Democrats of North
Carolina ever forget the days of their
sorrow and mourning and the politi
cal Egyptian bondage from which they
have just been released9 Will they
cease to remember the sorrows Of that
captivity when their wives, daughters
and sweethearts were as slaves, weep
ing while the neglected strings of the
harp responded only to gales Of de-
spondency?
They will not forget; and if they do
not, they Will remember in gratitude
that brilliant, energetic, prudent,
patient and wise young leader by
whose genius and superb manage
ment it has been made possible to
cross over this Republican Jordan.
Simmons did his duty and did it we'll.
Will the Democrats of North Caro-
lima do theirs? or will they, like the
children Of Israel, forget their de-
| liverer?
Duty demands of the party a full,
just, and generous recognition Of his
well known and invaluable services,
and nothing that it may have to give
should be withheld from him. He is
an honest and true Democrat. Bril-
liantly polished, and we'll equipped
for the position, he would make a
Senator of whom our State would be
proud.
| knew his father before the war as
one of the best farmers in Jones coun-
ty and representative man OF his
section of the State, and since the war
in the State convention of 1865 and
sc he was prominent and active. He
raised this boy on the farm and l
have known him for about 80 years
(since he was lad).
Having been raised on the farm in
the country and Unidentified especially
with agricultural interests he would
not fail to look after everything tend
ing to promote and elevate farmers.
He would do his whole duty to all
classes of his constituency without
partiality and look discreetly to the
protection of every interest OF the
government, State and National. He
is more abused and despised by the
Republicans and their allies than any
other man in the State, and nothing
would give them more pleasure than
his defeat That they feel towards
him the bitterest hatred is well known
to all: the Republicans themselves
not failing to proclaim it openly.
Knowing this, | hold it to be the
} duty of all true members Of the Demo-
cratic party to concentrate their
efforts in behalf of F. Nj. Simmons,
, and elect him. Fellow Democrats,
experience has taught me that a safe
rule to follow is to find out as we'll as
+ you can what would please Repub-
, lican and then 90 as far as you can in
the opposite direction. Let us so
conduct our actions in the contest
r now being waged that there may be
r no cause for rejoicing in the camp OF
our enemies, or regret or sorrow in
that of our own. Remember that we
: have the power to use the ballot and
e that the duty to use it wisely and dis
creetly devolves on us. Duty. there
f fore, is the guiding star, or helm
e without which we will be unable to
d reach the desired port, and rest in
f peace.
+ Again, l would remind you that the
S men. who. amid encouragement and
h poverty maintain the trust contideo
to them and fulfill their party obi
cations, are the true heroes Of these
times: and Mr.. Simmons being one ol
that worthy class deserves at the
l hands OF the Democratic party the
| highest position in their power te
| give.
| 1t is said by some that there are
4 100 IuauN Ia" NcIS tuCLC ouS IAoe wv
: | should send farmer or a manufac'
turer. Let us look at this proposition
; a little. Our lawyers, as class, form
the most intelligent part OF society
= they are as honest and law-abiding
. and as a rule are able, honest and
: capable; are the sons or grandsons o.
= farmers, and not q few Of them are
!, prosperous farmers themselves. Gould
: we. as good Democrats say to thi: