The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-22
GOVERNOR AYCOCK
At WH|TEV|LLE
He Speaks to Enthusiastic
Red Shirts.
Lockhart and Patterson Also Address the
People. Columbus in Good
Shake,
Especial to News and Observer

Columbus day to hear the gifted AycOck
and a royal welcome she gave him. From
early morning red shirts on horses and
mules poured into town from every direc-
ton. Everybody in town donned the same
garb An accommodation train from
Wilmington came up bringing the band
and large crowds who boarded the train
at every station. They brought with
them the Hotchkiss gun with a capacity of
forty shots per minute. The Chadbourn
band also arrived, followed by long line
Of mounted red shirts.
Messrs. AycOck, Lockhart and Patter-
son drove over from Clarkton where they
had stopped, returning from the rally
at EliZabethtown yesterday. When the
trains near approach was learned, pro-
cession formed and went out to meet
them. They came through town under
fying colors, each horseman carrying a
flag and giving the regulation red shirt
veil. Chief marshals came first followed
nv the Wilmington band, followed in
turn by the speakers carriages. In the
carriage with Aycock sat Chairman j.
A. Brown. Behind the carriages rode
red shirts two and two, stretching over
half a mile. The procession moved
through town made a circuit and return
ed by a side street. When AycOck alight-
ed from the carriage the Hotchkiss gun,
in charge of Naval Reserves from Will
mington belched forth ten rouds in rapid
succession
The speaking occurred from a stand
under the trees between the court house
and Maxwells store. The meeting open
ed with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Blalock.
Ladies then sang Carolina, Carolina, -
and all Joined in the chorus Col. David
Cowan introduced Hon. j. A. Lockhart
as that gallant eX-Confederate soldier
and statesman from Arson" Mr.. Lock-
hart said the Colonel was right as to my
county, but in error as to my military
record / belong to the young generation
if l do look old, with my loves in the
present and hopes in the future" Mr..
Lockhart's speech was a thoroughly clear,
logical and convincing discussion of the
amendment and was warmly applauded.
He was sent by executive committee to
aid Mr.. Aycock which he did most ably
yesterday and today. Hon. j. A. Brown
with his ringing musical voice introduce
ed Aycock. Aycock was greeted with
the same deafening applaudes that greets
him everywhere. During his speech he
remarked that as soon as the northern
settlers sets fot on our soil he falls read
lily into line with us on this question to
the end that he may build up a better
party which will reflect his views and
hopes. This he said referring to the
Chadbourn people. Nearly all the Sunny
South colony" was in line today-men
in red shirts and women smiling approval.
At the close of the speech Mr.. Aycock
referring to the arrest of registrars on
warrants issued by U. s. Commissioners
said: whenever a United States Off
Ger is arrested while in the discharge
of his duty for violation of a State law,
the United States government defends
him. There is no such provision in the
State laws for defending a State officer
in the discharge of his duties when ar
rested by the United States. In the alb
sence of such law / now promise to defend
any State officer arrested in the dis
charge of his duties under warrants is
sued by United States Commissioners.
If the trial comes off after l shall have
been inaugurated governor of the State,
l shall request the Attorney General of
the State to defend them. The State
owes to it's officers the manifest duty to
protect them in the discharge of their
office, and this duty will certainly be
performed"
Aycock spoke forty minutes ard when
he closed cries of Brown. Brown -
brought Brown to stand. Il will ask mar
shalls to find Mr. Patterson and brign
him to the stand" he said Then the
band struck up and soon Patterson ap-
peared and when the band ceased. arose
to speak. Before he could open his
mouth the rapid fire cannon twenty
yards away began to belch forth round
arter round that sounded like a battle
of cannOns When it was over he said:
81 never before tried to talk against a
cannon. | am glad to be here to meet
the farmers of Columbus and wish it were
eXpedient to talk to you at length about
my department.. | wish to say this [
have now been all over the State and can
truly say you have here today one of the
greatest demonstrations yet held. We
are going to win this year"
"Cries of Brown" Brown" again
brought their beloved leader to the stand.
He said cit is inexpedient for me to
speak now. 1t has just been reported that
negroes have seized the poll books in
certain precincts in this county this
morning. Keep your heads cool and leave
it to me and they shall be brought to
Justice and punished, so help me God.
DO no violence to them, l beg you, but
defend yourselves and women with your
last drop of blood. if necessary. We are
going to hold a conference and see what
is best to be done.
Good reports come from every quart
err of the county. Go home and work for
the cause CT your wives and children as
you never worked before, and God help
u.s." Columbus is stirred to her depts
and will give a large majority.
Just before the train left Mr.. Brown
told me he had just received word that
the rumor was false growing out of re
port that registrars at Cerro Gordo pre-
cinct were threatened and trouble ex-
pected tonight. If any thing happens he
will telegraph the News and Observer
later. band of red-shirts have gone to
Cerro Gordo tonight.
CIIADDLFI T