The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-10-18
FARMERS FOR SIMMONS.

FARMERS FOR SIMMONS.
The following we clip from the Lex
ington Dispatch:
Farmers of this State have not said
much about the Senatorial contest and
may never say much, however, they
are thingklng, and they clearly under
stand the situation. That F. M. Sim
mons Is the greatest leader in the Dem
ocratic party, we are firmly convinced.
He did more to organize and put the
party on its feet than any one else.
For wrestling the State from negro
domination and from all the ills OF
fusion rule he did his full share and
40 Democrat raised his voice or said
one word against any act of Mr.. Sim
mons. He was praised by all and from
the mountains to the sea his name and
his fame was household word. While
Engaged In this fight nothing was too
good for him. The more he was abus-
ed and vilified by Butler, Prltchard,
Holton, White, Middleton, and others
of the black-and-tan brigade, the more
we loved him and the more we felt
that he was due the everlasting graft
tude of every man who voted for white
supremacy in the last election.
In the face of these things and in
gross violation of right and justice, We
hear that some Democrats are opposing
Mr.. Summons and are using Marion
Buffers arguments as their grounds
| for opposition to our chosen leader. In
the name of reason and common de-
Icency what are we coming to? The
idea that any white man could so far
forget recent events and forget hlmselt
as to turn and use the sayings of the
blacklist and most contemplate traitor
the State has yet produced, to damage
/ a meritorious citizen is too monstrous
| to contemplate. AS for us and ours
we prefer to be guilty of many short
comings before we plead guilty to the
icharge of ingratitude.
Then again we hear that some men
oppose Mr. Simmons because he is not
rich man. Has the Democratic par
ty which is composed of poor men
come to that point where it is unlawful
- 70, +0 ~ l..
position? That 1s doctrine which
belongs solely to the Republicans and
one which the Democrats oppose and
, one which Bryan fights everyday. Then
: too, we farmers feel that Mr.. Simmons
being 4 man OF moderate means, would
{, naturally be more in sympathy with
our class than man who has million.
and who seeks, among other things, to
find the companionsh1p and associa-
ton OF men who are able to live sumpt-
uously every day and to have the fat oil
the land always at their disposal.
We know that the Democratic party
has fought and is fighting tor right.
We know that it will never join hands
with Butler or follow his advice, for we
: have been taught that his ways are
: dark and his acts are crooked. The
defeat Of Simmons Is tho one and the
only thing that would bring any COM
fort to the traitorous Butler who has
been driven from his high estate as old
Lucifer was driven from the celestial
city.
We are confident that the sun shines ;
We know that the leaves come upon
the trees, and we know that there is q
: streak of fairness running through most
men. Just az we'll as we know these,
we also know that the Democrats OF
this State will not follow Marion But
Ter in his spiteful and diabolical effort
to lead them against Simmons. We
: would sooner think of seeing water run
ny hill or to sec a reversal of the great
law>af gravitation than to think that
Democrats would do anything to graft
fly thei- worst enemy. We are for
Simmons first, last and all the time.
His defeat would be disgrace to the
party and would do more to tear up
the great democratic organization
than anything else. We cannot afford
to vote against Simmons.
PHILLIP A. HEDRICK.