The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-01
Simmons the Man
To t-e Editor Of the Messenger and IN

.ro ira Editor of the Messenger ana IN
( Aho1t 1870 I became acquainted with
/ M simmons. who is now 4 canCiu"le
for senator. | was IN the same fldSs
with him at Trinity College 1or !nieI
wears: we graduated together III I'to'
herame we'll and intimately acquaIhte,i
I Win him. He was calm, self possessed.
unassuming, dignfied youth of most eA-
cellent department and lnuuSif!' ~
then gave promise Of an ATTRACTIVE
career. Through all the years since 1u1
separation at school 4 cordial fl1endsh,p
has existed between us. and l nave on
served his course with interest ana
pleasure. was invited by him to be
one Of his groomsmen at his Marriage
in the fall Of 1874
MI Simmons is much appreclated III
our State. as well as misunderstood. l
have never known man so ac.!Fe III
political party management VINO was
more free from what Is regarded as Pc
litical tricks as he. Simmons IS as bold
square, cool-headed and frank Il h@nteF
rs ever entered the political arena
Where, and while other men are THINK
in- of tactics for manCOuYeing ana ann
ut cIandcStine approach. Simmons boldly
hits his foe, square i'll 'front.' and by MS
very audlclty surprises and StampedeS
him.
tationS. oft repeated. and passed unno-
ticed and unrCsented, acquire etlcctive-
ness for injury close akin to truthful
accusations. 1t happens, TOO, that man
and his friends. conscious of his up
Brightness. leave Getraction to perish IN
their falsity. Simmons has been at lit
tie pains to repei by harangue the
charges made by his enemies, and the en-
emies of the party which he has 50 faith
fully and efficiently served. and At al
most as little pains to rcrcl the assaults
Of those Of his own household VINO
would, in their Incorporate zeal to ad-
vance the ambition OF radicals. say things
of him, and repeat things of him. Which
cooling time viii make them regret.
Simmons is a truthful, honorable man,
and is Il very able man; he never was, is
not now. given to eXtravagant or fatuOus
expression: his language is charact us
tic, frank, direct and unadorned: there
are few men more effective in manner
or argument. He is plain, affab.e and
uncOmmonly courteous. and of unfall-
ing sobriety. / have observed how in his
intercourse with men he never does and
says those things which. if not offensive,
are. to degree, disagleeabIe He always
was, is now. possessed with aspiration,
which men call ambition. | cannot.
however. think there IS any incompati-
bility between an ambition for those
hOn0rS which malk'a man for esteem.
and faithfulness TO social and public
duty. Certainly Simmons is not the char
actcr 10 draw on for illustration of such
incon@lnity.
We little thought two years ago. when
every patriot eye in North Carolina and
every patriot ear were turned toward
the form and voice Of our fearless, faith
full chairman. there would be those
among us who trusted him in that storm
OF struggle and despair, who would, in
so short time, join his diSnara gers and
detractors. if not defamers, and raShly
invite to themselves that obloquy which
he has vicariously borne. 1 do not com
plain that any man prefers for senator
some other honorable citizen, but | do
dcprecate that spirit which now, in
order that their choice may pre-
vail. makes men seem eager to destroy
in the sight of 4 vindictive and insat Ia te
foe. this man, who by his will, capacity
and yalor inspired Us all with the cour-
age and manhood to drive from their
places of revelry and spoliation that
party and coHb;na tion Of parties which
brought our States reproach and dis
honor.
If we are 1.-THE Of what we have pro-
feSsed we will not leave this loyal and
tireless servant Of his party and State to
the JcerS of his enemies and ours,
Respectfully,
JAS. 4. LOCKHART.