The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-01-17

q
which are weak they must be strength
ened by those which are strong. The
good book tells US that the strong
should bear the infirmiries of the weak,
and the lessons Of that great authority
are of utility in our political life. There
has grown up an idea among strenuous
men that only the strong are to be con-
sidered and benefited; that the poor and
weak are the burden bearers who de-
serve 10 aid and are weak because of
their follles. \ great state can never
act on this theory, but will always rec
ogniZe that the strong can care Tor them
selves while the true aim Of the state is
to provide equsl and just laws. giving
to the weak opportunity 10 grow strong
and restraining the powerful from op-
pressing the less fortunate.
Thousands OF Republicans and Popu-
lists joined with Us i'll securing our more
than $4,000 ma jority. | shall, therefore,
confidently expect you, gentlemen OF
the legislature, without regard TO par
ty, to frame an election law fair in ev-
cry purpose, clear Ill every detail and
to provide machinery by which every
man qualified under our constitution
his vote is effective.
II
manhood, r3caer still IN her high mind
ed wOmannOru; stat with countless
treasures awaiting seekers; with riches
in her fields ard woods, streams and
sounds, hills ,nd mountains sufficient
to satisfy our dreams OF wealth; with
frugal and industrious popu!at on ready
to toll Just awakening lul y 10 The pos
sibllit!eS before them. All that We need
"tO complete the circle OF our fellcities"
is peace.
From CUrrItuck to Cherokee the law
must lave full sway. The mob has no
place i'll our civilization. The courts
are the creation of the constitution and
the juries are drawn from the people.
If changes re necessary IN order to Sc
cure a better and more certain admins
tratlOn Of justice, you, gentlemen OF
the legislature. can make these changes,
but it should be distinctly and finally
understood Of ali men that safety can
be found only III obedience TO law.
| wish to say 10 the negroes of this
state that the; have been mlsinfOrmed
if they have heard that this administra-
ton will be unfriendly 90 them. Their
every right under the constitution shall
be absolutely preserved; hey will find
security i'll right conduct and certain
punishment for failure to obey the law.
Let them learn that crimes which lead
to mob law must cease and then mob
law shall curse our state no more. /
call upon all upright negroes TO aid me
in suppresSing crime i'll all its forms
The white people Owea nigh duty to the
negro 1t was necessary to the safety
Of the state to base suffrage on capacity
to exercise it wisely. This results III ex-
ri ~ n
the ballot. but their right to life, iber-
ty, property and JusSica must be even
more carefully sateguarded than ever.
1t is true that superior race cannot
submit TO the rule Of weaker race
without injury; it Is also true in the
long years Of God that the strong can
not Cypress the weak without destruc-
ton. said on April II, 1900 and l
now repeat it as a deep conviction, that
universal justice is the perpetual de-
cree Of Almighty God, and we are en-
trusted with power not for our good
alone, but for the negro as we'll. We
hold our title TO power by tenure of SER
vice to God, and if we fail to administer
equal and exact justice to the negro
whom we deprive Of suffrage, we shall
IN the fulness of time lose power our
selves, for we must know that the God
who is love trusts no people with au-
thority for the purpose of enabling them
to do in justice to the weak. -
come to the high task to which the
people have called me with many mis-
givings [ know, if not adequately,
something of my weakness and | like
wise know, if not to the fullest extent
the many difficulties which will beset
my way. [ come to the work humbly,
-;tI
desire to serve the people we'll
Chosen by my party unananimously,
elected by the people by a majority
such as has never been given to any
other man, [ am bound by every obliga.
ton to serve to my utmost The task
is difficult one. l shall makes mistakes.
When [ shall have done the right thing
| shall even then sometimes be misun-
derstood by my friends who will see nv
action, not from my standpoint as the
governor OF the state, but from theirs
When | shall have done wrong I shall
not expect approval; 90 not wish it, l
want to know my mistakes to the end
that l may correct them, because am
certain that I shall be judged at last by
the whole tenor Of my administration
and by no one particular act.
| have been elected as a Democrat. I
shall administer the high Office to which
l have been called in accordance with
the policies and princi Piles of that great
party, but | wish it distinctly under.
stood that [ shall strive to be lust
governor of all the people without re-
gard to party, color or creed The law
will be enforced with impartiality and
no man S petition shall go unheard and
uncon sidered because he differs from me
in politics, or in color. My obligation is to
the state and the state is all her citizens.
| shall need the support of every citi-
zen in the state. Ny work is your work;
ar but your servant and if serve YOU
wisely it will be because my ears shall
be constantly open to counsel and my
mind shall be, so far as IN me lies, kept
free from prejudice to the end that l
may know wisdom. But with all the
aid which can come from men | shall
fail unless | have the guidance of that
God who rules the destinie5 of states
and nations and men, to whom with
reverence l commend this good state
and her gracious people.
And as Gov. Avcock concluded his
address turning to a friend at our
elbow we remarked as Gov. Russell
himself expressed it four years ago:
There is retribution in history"
CURES BLOOD POISON.