The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-16
Spirit of the Press.
RUSSELL ON DEMOCRATS.

Wilmington Messenger
Dan Russen's li1tle speech read b.
his Man Friday, LOge Harris. at the
Chicago banquet, was not as foretold.
With his characteristic disregard of the
, facts of politics when the Democrats
/ are concerned, and with no concern as
10 the facts OF HISTORY, Dan put on the
red cap of revolution, and made
wholesale assault upon the white mel
of North Carolina, as he once made
upon the negroes whe put him in Office
when he branded them, one ana ali az
"Sayages. He charges that a consid-
cradle pCr'tion of the white Democrats
ln North Carolina are hypocritts and
frauds of the first wate!-Cnly Mckin-
Icy Republicans in disguise He says
they will vote with the X al Democrats
because of the negro ard fer 10 other
roasCn-thot at heart they are MT Dem
ocTats. but pretenderS and decejyerS
that they will pray for McKinley'S We
election and pray for his policy. We do
not know how the Democrats referred
TO will relish such stigma, such a
charge of Righteousness. OF fals:ty, OF
duphcity, of imposition. Russell mas
been but a half and half Republican for
Il long tine and be is dispc d to
measure other peoples corn with his
buShel. "-All looks jallndiced 10 the
iapmdiced eye" Nothing he can say
can worry true Democrats. According
to Russell! there are thousands of them
who are ont and out Republicans. who
are centralizers. high plotection5sts. ex-
pansionists, gold men, holding, he say;
every tenet of the Republican party"
But fer the Niger. the 'SavageS," they
would all turn over to the party Of cen
tralizatipn, of Imperialism, of high tar
if taxation Of informal force bills, and
50 on Not satisfied with lanAlelzng and
insulting part of the Democracy. he
insists that this part has united with
the greater part ITO defy the national
Government by fag1ant, persistent and
eucceSsful nullification Of it's constitution
and its laws: Alld to this notification
the North has sblnitted to AN extent that
looks ike combination if not approval"
This is Russell's charge Is it true?
When has the Democracy of North Caro-
lima done these things? So far from ''nul-
Iifying the constitution" they are tn
only people in this State and in the South,
who have stood bravely for the C1nsti-
tuition, have fought at every step the Re
publican opponents of a strong govern
ment have resisted the usul'pations Of
Republican Administrations. have d. test
ed and deSpiSed the rascalS who placed
the ballot box upon bayocletS. surrounded
the voting places with i Gordon Of Great
ures appointed under force bills, have.
meet all assaults upon human liberty ami
the rights of the people under tn" Con
stitution with open Recommendations, and
under every change and every threatened
danger to the presciouS mtnlments OF
freedom have been the only bulw;lrks
ls tween anarchy and law, between out
rage and right. between a governments
Of the people and by he people and for
rhc p4.ople Ca sentiment Abe Lincoln
stole from a New England teacher) and
u lawless, aggressive government Of in
EQUITY and crime.
Russell knows better than to Indulge
III this vein Of SANDER He knows how
corrupt how vicious. how malignant
how rjotous and greedy his gang have
been in North Carolina from the time
they sold ont to the Johnson govern
ment at Washington for the leaves and
tisheS--from the time he WAS elected judge
when he knew no law He knows how
the white men were heeeed. oppressed,
inSulted. by the victorious raiders conn
pcsed of scallawags and carpet-haggers.
He lived in it and through it. He is Il
nice fellow to be throwing stones at the
true white men Of this ancient State.
EJe can say sharp. cutting things. and
can throw mGd with any lIlld singer.
ard he cam not forego the pleasure OF
Insulting and maligning the men he de-
serted III time Of stress and gloom, when