The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-14
Simmons For Senator.

To the Editor: 1t is said that republics
arc ungrateful, and sometimes political
parties are that way inclined.
We are SO apt in short time to for
get the valuable services of a great
leader that unless he is rewarded quickly
he may not long be remembered at all.
IL the primary election for United
States Senator had been held in a week
after the August election Mr.. Simmons
would have been chosen by an over
whelming majority on the first ballot
At that time his splendid leadership, his
bold and fearless tactics and his COM
plete mastery over the leaders of the
fusion forces were all fresh in the minds
of the people, and they were as anxious
to hsncr their leaders as were the SOL.
diers of Napoleon after one Of his brill
liant victories
Eut as time passes the intentions and
purposes of men, arorsed by exciting and
heroic events, become less intense, be-
cause other matters creep in and share
our attention.
AS the days go by, and one by one
the brilliant feats Of Simmons in the last
two campaigns begin to fade from mem
ory, the claims of the other worthy can
didates present themselves and demand
consideration at our hands.
What a pity We cannot vote for all
four 1t would afford the writer great
pleasure to do So And SO 1t is all over
the State. The competitors of Mr.. Sim
mons in the Senatorial race have so many
friends and admirers, and one OF them
especially is so eminently fitted for the
position-in other words, they are such
worthy men, and there are SO many of
thoS hot no Of al will
greatly reduce the majority for Sim
mons, and. it may be. will necessitate
another primary.
But the result will be the came. How
ever 1t may be in other counties as to
forgetting 80 soon the incalculable service
Of Mr.. Simmons to the State. and
especially to Eastern North Carolina, the
Democrats of Gates are standing like
stone wall for Simmons. Nothing can
change them or shake their faith. While
all the other candidates have strong per-
sonal friends and admirers in the county.
who would be delighted to see them hon
ored. yet. as to the Senatorship, the
great majority of the Democrats of Gates
are practically solid for Simmons; and
they will so remain until their votes are
delivered in November.
At one time the writer did not expect
to- take sides in this contest. Being
friend to all the candidates, and as the
Representative elect in the next Legisla-
ture. it was thought best to let the peo
pie determine, without any attempt on
his part to influence them in their choice.
But upon reflection it occurred to him
that the Democrats of the county had
already settled that question.
The same county convention which
unanimously nominated him by acclama
ton and requested his acceptance adopt
cd resolutions endorsing Mr. Simmons
for any position to which he might as
pre-" This was before the State con-
vention, which established the primary.
Under these circumstances, If no pri-
mary had been ordered and even if
preferred another. | could not have gone
to the Legislature as the representative
Of the people and voted against Mr.. Sim
mons for the Senate; and as the primary
is to determine the same question, | do
not think, If l were disposed to do so,
that l ought TO go contrary to the open
declaration OF the Democrats of the
county in convention assembled.
In fact. we regard the election of Sim
mons as a political necessity. His de-
feat would greatly rejoice our political
enemies, and would tend to the demon
alization of the Democratic rarty in the
eastern part Of the State. The Republi-
cans throughout the country. especially
in the North, as individuals and in con-
ventions, are denouncing North Carolina
for adopting the Constitutional Amend
mrnt. In the next Senate Of the United
States the attack upon our beloved old
State will be renewed, and the basest
ISLANDERS and vilest abuse will be heaped
upon the Democratic party and upon our
able State chairman-that is, if he is
absent There is ne man in the State
better prepared to stand up in the United
States Senate to defend and justify North
Carolina in all that she has done
through the Democratic party than Mr.,
Simmons; and in justice to himself he
ought to be there. to face his accusers
and to put them to shame, silence and
confusion
Democrats, do not allew the Senatorial
contest to endanger the election Of
Bryan srd Stevenson and the Democratic
nominees for Congress.
But. Democrats. let us seek the first
onrortunity to get to the polls and vote
for Simmons,
Lest we forget; lest we forget
L. L. SMITH.
Gatesville, N. c.