The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-07-12

burst of oratory he drew a picture of
what he and his party desired to do
for the boys and girls of our State,
that all should be taught to read for
themselves the grand beauties Of the
Word of God from the creation to the
exalted visions of St. John, he almost
raised his audience from their seats
by the sheer force of his eloquence.
Never was such speech made in Ok
ford.
He began by expressing his graft
tude in a few simple words for the
kind things said of him by his friend
who had introduced him, and his
pleasure at addressing for the first
time so large an assemblage of the
man and womanhood of old Granville.
Proceeding, he said he came to dis
cuss issues not men; that not his cleo
ton but the adoption of the Constitu-
tional amendment is the great issue;
that Republicans and Populists say
it's the same old cry of "nigger."
'.niggerr' That they are tired hear
ing it and want something new; but
they are not half so tired of it as the
Democrats are, and the negro cry will
never cease until this question has
been settled once and for all time.
He had no fault to find with men for
hesitating as to what they will do;
that is characteristic of North Caro-
linians, but when once their minds
are made up they act with terrible
earnestness. Here, in burning words,
the speaker told of North Cardinals
part in the war between the States;
Of the return of the Confederate SOL
der, of the scenes of desolation and
grief, of ruin and want, that met him
on every hand. How in this hour of
calamity and woe the Republican
party had DISTINGUISHED 10000 white
men-old soldiers and given the ne
party has never disfranchised a white
man and never will ~ Numbered the
eloquent Aycock, "but the Repub-
licans did, The Bible, said he, bids
you Judge tree by it's fruits. Apply
this rule to the Republican party.
Backed by the military, and aided by
the ballots of the negroes, it gained
complete control of the State. What
was the result? The debt was in
creased, crime was rampant, murder
and arson and burglary ran riot. The
negroes organized the Union League,
the oppressed white man the Ku
Klux and the law was of no avail.
Finally, in 1870, the great white race
rose and drove this party from power.
What happened? Again judge the
tree by its fruit. AS soon as it was
known that the Democrats had carried
the State peace succeeded anarchy,
the Union League and the Ku Klux
faded away, the law was supreme and
safety reigned everywhere. Why the
difference? No change had been
made in the laws, but the Democratic
party was backed by the white men Of
the State, and that secured peace and
quietude.
The recollection Of those days grew
old, and in 1892, year of depression,
a new party arose. Democrats plead
with the white men not to divide, but
they would not listen. Republicans
said try us again, we will do better.
Forgetful of the Good Books warning
against men with itching ears for
some new thing, the white men
divided and the Republicans and Pop
ulists came into power. What fruit
did the tree bear this time? Look at
Wilmington. White men and women
insulted on the streets by negroes,
burglary nightly occurrence, no
safety anywhere, but danger every
| where. In 1898 the conditions be-
came intolerable and every white man
in the city out of Office rose and
swept the negroes out of the town.
When the race conflict was on tele-
gram came to Goldsboro calling for
200 men; 800 with muskets on their
shoulders gathered at the depot ready
to 20 to the help Of their brothers,
| and the audience cheered the speaker
to the echo when he said he was not
| ashamed to own that he was one of
the 800; that the white men of the
East have sworn by all that is sacred
never to submit to negro rule again,
but they don't want to rule by force,
but by the all conquering force of the
ballot. Let's settle the question
right. Even Republicans and Popu-
lists see that something must be done.
The Republicans gave the negro his
| orders to stay away from the conven-
tons this year and he stayed away,
but he has his orders to register and
vote and he will do it. Don't be fool
ed into thinking the negro won't
vote. Remember Brer Rabbit and the
tar-baby.
The Populists are learning, too.