The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-12


the night to the conversation between his
father and that great man, and treasur-
ed in his memory the weighty matters
they discussed. Deeply moved by the
great struggle going on about him TO
drive out of power the ignorant lncom-
petent and vicious and TO bring pack
peace and good order, he grew up with
deep and lasting love OF good government
and the wise and Just exercise OF poiiu-
cal power AS he grew in years the
study of the principles OF government
and OF the political history OF Inc
country intensified his predilection TOT
politics Ardent in his temperament
and full of youthful enthusiasm, before
ne was af age, he plunged into the
contest, and i'm every campaign slhce
1880 he has borne a prominent part. IN
every county canvass his services We're
in demand. His speeches, full of
strong arguments; scathing denuncia-
tions and passionate appeal, attracted
the people and made him a popular
campaigaer. His campaigns will be
long remembered in Wayne, where his
powers are most highly appreciated
and where the people think no other
man can make so good speech.
from the neighboring counties to
which he responded. and he was soon
recognized as the. most effective cam
paign speaker in his section Of the
State, and in the Presidential earn
paign of 1883 ne was the nominee of
his party for District Elector His
opponent was the Hon. Oscar Spears,
of Harnett. They made a thorough
canvass of the district and engaged nc
many joint discussion, Mr. Spears
was a strong and experienced speaker
and the debates between them We're
vigorous, sharp and interesting, but
constantly marked by mutual courtesy
and respect.
Always strong debater, this cam
paign strengthened, Mr.. Aycock's pow
ers and developed, his sense of humor,
of which his earlier speeches. earnest,
serious and intense. had given little in
dication The next four years added
to his growing reputation and i'm 1892
he received the nomination Of the Dem
ocratic party for Elector- at Large This
high honor brought with 1t a great re-
sponsibility.
lit came at a time when owing to
difference of opinion growing out of
national questions, q large number or
Democrats left their party and united
with the newly organized Populist par
ty, ,h
This was the beginning Of the divis
ion of the white voters Of the Stat"
which eventually resulted in bad gov
eminent, violence and bloodshed to
remedy which an important amend
Tnent to the constitution was, later, pro-
posed and adopted Mr.. Aycock, In
common with many thoughtful men of
the Slate, foresaw the coming evil and
sought to avert it. Opposed to him as
the Populist nominee for ElectOr at
Large was Mr.. Marion Butler, of Samp-
son, the editor of the Caucasian, the or
gan. of a great farmers organization
known as the Farmers Alliance, most
OF whose members joined the Populist
party. ,a aU
Mr.. Butler had been president of the
Alliance, was very popular with its
members, and was the leader tof the
new party. He had youth, ambition,
ability. shTewdness, capacIty ror or
Panization, skill in debate and the unan-
imous support Of his enthusiastic fol-
lowers. A series of appointments was
arranged for joint discussion between
the opposing Electors at Large, and to-
,gether they spoke in many of the ,coun-
ties OF the State. ps
Two opponents could not have diff
fered more In temperament, training
and method. Their appointments were.
attended by great crowds, and tho
Democratic candidate more than meas
ured up 10 the expectation of his
friends. His speeches marked decided
advance in style, delivery and effective
ness. impressed the people with his
fairness, wisdom and conservatism. and
demonstrated his greatness in debate
He was appointed in 1898 United States
District Attorney for the Eastern Dis
trict, and discharged the duties Of the
office with conspicuous ability and fidel-
ity.
In the campaigns of 1894 and 1896
he spoke in many counties, and in the
great campaign of 1898 he rendered the
most able and effective service He
was challenged to meet Hon. Cyrus
Thompson, the Populist nominee for
Secretary Of State. in joint debate at
Concord and at Hood Swamp. The pa
pers of the day contain a full account Of
the meeting at Concord. The writer
heard the discussion at Hood Swamp,
country precinct in Wayne.
Dr. Thompson is probably the best
furnished speaker in the Populist party.
He has wit in abundance, is we'll
Informed, master Of satire, quick at
repartee; he is dangerous antagonist.
But Mr.. Aycock was tremendous. If
there was a weapon of warfare that
he did not use it must have been
obsolete. There was not joint in
his enemy's aEmor that he failed to find
and pierce There was no argument
that was not met, no wit that was not
matched, no invective that was not
equalled. His opening was so full oe
matter so strongly put together that 1t
was unanswerable, and his rejoinder to
the inadequate reply was crushing.
1t was a memorable scene and one
that will never be forgotten by those
who witnessed it.
The conditions which produced the
campaign Of 1898 and which followed or
grew out OF it so affected the public
mind that the submission of Of a SUE
frage amendment to the constitution
was demanded, and the Legislature at
its session in 1899 submitted to the peo-
pie an amendment which will eventual
" result in basing the suffrage on an
educational qualification