The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-08

spends to Calls in a Happy Speech
Thanked the People for the Honor
Conferred Upon Him and Pledges
Himself to the Defense of the
Amendment and the States Best
Interest.
From Yesterdays NewS and Observer
the following is taken:
Last night at about 1870 O'Clock, a
large crowd. with Wright's Raleigh
band, gathered on the corner Of Fay
ettevilie and Martin streets and called
repeatedly for Mr.. Simmons, the
choice of the people for United States
Senator from North Carolina. Finally.
Mr.. Simmons appeared on one OF the
balconies Of the Tucker building and
made very appropriate impromptu
speech, expressing his thanks for the
honor conferred upon him. He was
frequently interrupted by bursts OF
applause. His speech was graceful
and becomingly modest. AS soon as
the applause had subsidized enough to
allow him to be heard, he said:
II I'iI'tS anu lNii' " SibALCiAc'
thank you for this splendid demon
stration. I am deeply grateful to my
friends in this city and in this county.
and all over North Carolina, for the
efforts they have this day made in my
behalf 1t has been said, and truth
fully said. there is no language ade-
quate to express the gratitude OF the
heart. can only say to you and to
them | am grateful, profoundly and
sincerel Y grateful.
The Senatorial fight has been a
sharp one Much feeling has been
displayed and some bitterness has
been engendered, Doubtless both
sides have said things that had better
been left unsaid. If my friends have
said anything that ought not to have
been said, | regret it and am sure
they regret it. Some hard things
have been said about me. | will try
to forgive them, though I may be I'M
able to forget them. We all belong
to the same household; we are breth-
rem. Now that the fight is over. it
behooves us to close up the ranks and
get together. Cease fighting each
other: cease complaining: cease dis
ordinations and recriminations. and
get ready for the next fight against
the common enemy. Appeal for har-
monv. Let us bury our differences
and forget our dissensions and pre-
sent a solid front.
mo man ever had truer or more
loyal friends than have had in this
contest. Not onl V in this city and
county, but in every county Of
the State They have worked hard
for me: they have given their time
they have made sacrifices; they hay,
worked earnestly and intcIIiycntly
The result is a ma IOritv sufficiently
large. not onl V to crafty me, but tc
vindicate me against any slur that
may have been cast against NE in the
heat Of the contest. Advices receiv-
ed indicate that my ma lority will eN.
ceed fifty thousand, and it has been
my ambition all along to win by as
big a majority as YOU gave Avcock in
August. 1t may not quite reach 81,
| 600, which was his ma Gritty, but il
will not fall far short of it, it is enough
and | am satisfied.
The news from the nation is not
altogether satisfactory. 1t may be
that we have lost our great leader
do not yet despair, but the news fills
me with doubt and mars the Joy
feel in my personal triumph. If we
have lost Mr.. Bryan, it is National
loss, and to the Democrats of North
Carolina who have supported him sc
earnestly and so Loyalty. it is per
sonal loss as well. What grand
thing it would have been to have
elected this great man and champion
OF the people President of the United
States. My term as Senator will ex.
| tend for six wears from next March,
and, il we have lost Mr.. Bryan anC
| the boys have to cool their toes fOl
| the next four years. at the end Of thai
time. beyond all doubt, we will elect
| our President and | will have two
years more, and then we will take
| possession Of the places that are flleC
| by the enemy.
conformation received from severa
| Congressional districts Indicate tina
we have elected at least eight out o
the nine Congressman. | hope we
have elected all nine. But, however
that may be. with eight members il
| Congress and one Senator in the Sen
ate. the white people of North Caro-
lima may feel assured that if the
amendment which we have passed
either it or our party shall be attack
ed. we will not have to 90 to Other
States to find a champion, as we di,
when we were attacked in the Senat.
in the early spring of the presen
year.
My friends. am too full for utter
ance. | don't mean nv stomach i.
too full, but that my heart is too full
Again thanking you for this demon
stration and for the splendid effort
you have put forth this day in my be
half and in behalf of Democracy. bi,
you good night