The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-06-28
AHEAD.

IL We Olu not TcIIlcLlDcI lhcI IA 1870
a good many North Carolina ncwspa-
pers, not suspected Of republicanism,
"'bIindIy followed"-that is the phrase
used now-Grover Cleveland when he
left his party and took to sold and
bond issuing, we would suppose that
the democratic party is about to go to
pieces now in North Carolina and per-
haps in other states. There are several
classified democratic papers that are
talking of Independent thinking, and in
dependent action. and independent talk
ing, and doing as you please in politics.
We doubt not all that is very interest
ing reading to Marion Butler and COM
pany n some others. We have had
something to do with newspaper discus
ions in political matters since 1854.
We never saw the time when the white
men of North Carolina We're afraid to
speak put. to do their own thinking,
and determined to be no mans slave.
We could enlarge here if it were nee
essary and show how white men have
always been Independent. brave in opin-
ion and fearless in action. They are
so still. But they know a wise. able,
honest and honorable leader like Will
liam A. Graham, George E. Badger,
Thomas Bragg. Zebulon B. Vance, AL
fred NJ. Scales and others of the true
and faithful and they know and under
stand quite another class who are
neither wise nor consistent. nor steady
In conviction, nor bold in advocacy of
the right. The thing to be is-to be
ething- If you are a republican
take that medicine then without a wry
face. And when you taxi it. then emu
late all examples, from the first demo-
cratic deserter after the war. and go
in far office. root hog or die. We have
never yet heard OF but one man who
joined the republicans, if either whig
or democrat, who bolted who did not
declare for office at the earliest hour.
AID never stop until the governmental
'swag" was gripped.
There is no more freedom of opinion in
North Carolina now than in 1860 or 1870,
or 1880, or 1890, or later. Supporting re-
publican bad principles after posturing
oA0 AAAAoAAlS W hOdISLcSS IOl ueIlO-
cratic principles is no evidence what
V of Independent thought or personal
conviction or political honesty. 1t is
Tommy rot" now you hear. The men
in North Carolina that you can trust
are those who since 1865, have stood firm
and united for the welfare and honor
of North Carolina. who have not been
specially clamorou S for office, have
never dickered with the enemy for a
minute have never bartered birthright
and conscience. and have never bent
the pregnant hinges of the knee that
thrift might follow fawning. You can
put you confidence in them in 1901,
and their true followers and successors,
as o could at any time for thirty-five
or fifty years-brave men. honest men,
true men. unfaltering men, ~perpendicu-
a men. They would no more betray
their North Carolina to the Money
Power in 1901 than they would have
betrayed it amid 1.-The fiery pangs of
war" In 1902. you will find them reso-
Lutte. sincere, heartily united for the
principles of the grand old party that
has been the bulwark and savior of
freedom. and the conservator of honor
and principle. They may be over
wheimed again as has been the case
before, but they will stand last by the
old flag of liberty. and battle again for
h constitution, for the declaration Of
independence. for the rights and priv
ileges and muniments OF freemen.
They followed Vance to victory and he
never deceived them, or betrayed them,
or deserted them in the hour of dis
appointment and Distress, They will
choose their own men to represent
them. and they will be careful to take
only men who have the stamp of idel-
ity and honesty Of principles upon their
life and character, and would rather
Idle the death" thar to be recreant OF
false or play foul.
We have often quoted Tennyson's ex-
pressive and elevated words in his no.
BILE ode on the Duke of Wellington.
We copy here but a part. but they fit
these days, and apply to all lands In
which liberty is not dead and honor and
manhood or %regnant:
God give us meni A time like this
demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith
and ready hands
Men whom the lust of office does not
kill, 80
Men whom the spoils of office cannot
Tall men, s~un-crowned. who live above
the fog
In public duty and in private thinking"
-- rrv