The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-28
GREAT DAY FOR WILLARD
THE GRAND RATIFICATION MEETING
AND PICNIC YESTERDAY
in Atteudance-A splendid Speech by
Congressman BelIamy-ue Demon
stated the Grea Advantages to Flow
From the Amendment-He Advocated
Compulsory Education.

yesterday was a great Gay lOr VIII
lard and was another triumph for the
indomitable democracy of Fender
ty. The grand ratification meeting
and basket picnic was a great success.
having attracted from two to three
thousand people from various sections
of Pender, Duplin and Sampson coun-
ties. a large number OF patriotic la
dies were present to participate in the
jubilee for the great victory won for
white supremacy in North Carolina on
the ever memorable End day OF August.
Early in the morning till nearly mid
day the people arrived in all kinds of
vehicles, and both the south bound and
north bound trains brought others TO
swell the crowd.
Governor Charles B. Aycock, of
Goldsboro, who was booked for a
speech, sent word that owing to en-
gagements of a very important nature,
it was impossible for him TO attend.
The people were greatly disappointed,
of course, but they rejoiced when the
Wilmington train arrived with on
gresham John d. Bellamy, of this
city, who was also one of the speak
ers invited for the occasion.
The speaking and picnic tool place
in a beautiful oak grove. r. @. Grady,
Esq, of Burgaw. democratic chairman
Of Pender county, called the assem-
blage to order and after a brief but
stirring speech Congress-
man Bellamy.
Mr. Bellamy spoke for an hour, and
his was a splendid speech that held the
close attention of the big erowd and
ELECTED round after round of applause.
His speech was mainly a maSterful
review Of the effect of the suffrage
amendment to the constitution, which
--.- ~ ~ 4 vofiGn1 Of -
polls by the people of the good Old
North State on the End of August. He
spoke of the desirable effect which the
elimination of h large n vicious
negro vote would W IN the upbuild-
ing Of the state. He specially set forth
the advantages that would accrue
from the great impetus it will give to
the cause of education in the state. In
this connection he emphasized the
guarantee of the democracy to edu-
cate the people and stated that the
party would see to it that every section
should lave a school house and compe-
tent teachers to enlighten the children
Of the state. He declared that the
amendment would do more for the
cause Of education than anything that
had ever occurred in the state, and he
went so far in his speech as to advo-
cate compulsory education. He said If
he were a member of the legislature
he would introduce a bill providing for
compulsory education throughout the
length and breadth of the state. In
speaking of the good results to flow
from the elimination of the irrespon-
sible negro vote, he said that the set
Element of the perplexing and ever
menacing negro question would draw
to the state Of North Carolina the
eyes of the business world. 1t would
give confidence in the future govern
ment of the state and would attract
capital and stimulate industries and
manufactures so necessary to the
general prosperity. He reminded his
hearers that already North Carolina is
h third cotton manufacturing state
in the United States-Massachusetts
coming first and South Carolina Sec
ond. In his able exposition of the ben-
ef1ts to be derived from the regulation
of suffrage by the amendment he
grafton would be attracted to North
Carolina and that the result would
rebound to the general prosperity Of
the state every way.
Mr.. Bellamy also briefly but forcibly
spoke of the tendency Of the republican
party, with Mckinley at its head,
backed by a majority of United States
senators who are millionaires, to con-
vert this republic into an oligarchy or
- VAN tAS
people of the danger of such a policy
in this country. and all who listened to
his speech were profoundly impressed
with what he said. He closed amid
the most enthusiastic applause.
After the speaking dinner was an
nounced, and such a dinner it was! It
was spread on long tables underneath
the outrageous oaks, and from one
end Of the tables to the other the
baskets were unloaded Of everything
imaginable that was good to eat. 1t
was truly a basket picnic, and there
was three times as much as the crowd
could eat.
When dinner had been enjoyed music
was furnished by a string band and
h young people made merry with
the dance till late in the afternoon
when all left for home. all but too
sorry that such a good time should
have an end.
The occasion did Willard proud, and
1t was an evidence of the loyalty and
vigor Of the democracy Of Pender coun-
ty, which so gloriously rolled up over
a thousand majority for white supre-
macy in h recent election
Congressman Bellamy returned to
the city last night, accompanied by
Mr.. Grady, who will be here today on
business.