The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-11
THE CONVENTION TODAY.

At 11:45 o'clock this morning. at
the Academy of Music, State Chair
man Simmons will call to order the
largest, greatest and most represen-
tive Democratic State convention that
ever assembled in North Carolina. 1t
is representative of the best thought
and the best aspirations of the State,
composed of men from every calling
in life, who have left their homes to
inaugurate the most important cam
paign launched in the State since
Vance was nominated i'll 1876.
Then the issue was to drive out the
carpet-bag and negro governments
that polluted many of the best coun-
ties in the State, and to restore the
executive department of government
TO the Democratic party. When sue.
cess came, a system of government
was devised which protected the
whites of North Carolina for nearly
twenty years. The leaders of that
day builded as wisely as they could
8
lasted until there came division
among the white people of North Car
DINA. Then it fell, and a repetition
of the corruption and evils of 1859
fell again like blight upon the State.
No longer were women in rural homes
safe, no longer was competency and
fitness essential for public service, no
longer did the State have rule only by
white men. In 1898, by an almost super
human effort, the white men of North
Carolina arose in their might and
proven themselves unworthy. 1t was
II notable victory for decency-a vic
tory that meant much for North Caro-
lima.
The question with the victorious
party was this: Shall we devise
temporary system that shall secure
white supremacy as long as the white
people are united, or shall we make
that supremacy permanent by elimin-
ating in regular and constitutional
way the bulk of the ignorant negro
vote? They answered the question by
doing what the bulk of the best white
men of all parties demanded should
be done-submitting an amendment
purifying the suffrage. In doing this
the Democratic majority in the Leg
islature was guided by the highest
considerations of right and regard for
the welfare of their State, and not by
any selfish regard of mere party sue
cess. They believed the elimination of
the mass of the negro vote would
secure Democratic control as long as
the Democratic party was true to the
highest interests of the people: they
knew that, with the negro eliminated
from politics, at least if the Demo
cratic party was defeated, there would
be no return of the disgraceful rule
that obtained in 1S95-S. Because it
desired white government, peace and
quiet, the amendment was submitted
by the Democratic Legislature.
Today the formal campaign for the
amendment begins by the selection of
eloquent and able men, to lead the
fight. 1t is a matter for congratula-
ton that the candidate for Governor
has been chosen without the bitter
contest that often attends the nom
ination of the head of the ticket AS
in 1876, the great body of the people
have chosen their leader. Now as then
he is worthy of the confidence re-
posed in him by the party.
The selection of the remainder of
the ticket Will be made with great
care. We have faith that the Demo
cratic hosts here assembled will NOM
mate winning ticket of able and
tried men, who stand for the faith
delivered by Jefferson. 1t would be
to insult the intelligence and wisdom
of the nearly 1000 delegates to sup
pose that they would make the mis-
take of denying 10 any section of the
State fair represents ton on the State
ticket or that they would fail to