The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-23

ent services in that eventful struggle,
honored itself and the State by eleyating
the two most courteous leaders in the
party to seats in the country's highest
legislative body-during the many years
that Mathew w Ransom and Zebulon B.
Vance sat in that body, every North Caro-
linaian, regardless of color, creed or party
was Justly. proud of his State and her
Senator'S How we'll they performed the
duties of this high position, what repu-
tation they gave our State throughout the
entire country What. lustre thew shed
upon the, annals of our history all North
Carolinians know. For nearly genera
tion the Democratic party under the
leadership of Ransom and Vance, and
Saunders and Jarvis and Scales and Davis,
wise and patriotic statesmen and far
sighted politicians remained in power in
this great commonwealth and our people
enjoyed the blessings of peace and law
and order prevailed throughout the whole
State. But then came a change In an
evil and unguarded moment, unmindful
of the lawlessness. bloodshed and ruin
which had blighted our State in recon-
struction days. the white people divided,
and some six years ago there came to
| these halls, mongrel legislation which
| in the flush of victory, elevated the leaders
of the moment which had swept the
Democracy from power to the high places
that had so long been filled by Ransom
and Vance. How these men have de-
meaned themselves. How they have rep
resented our great State, whether wisely
and we'll. l need not now recall. This is
neither the time nor place for a funeral
Grafton. but in passing will say that the
people of North Carolina have already
inscribed upon the political gravestone of
Marion Butler these meme. meme, tehel.
uphorisin," and two years from this day
will witness the final retirement of Jeter
| c. Pritchard from the Senate of the United
States.
During the black days from 1894 until
1898 the Democratic party in North Caro-
lima seemed bewildered and disheartened.
Our old leaders were dead, or discredited
by the people they had served so long
and so we'll. The lamented VIM L. Saun-
ders. whose wise counsel and patriotic
words of encouragement had long been
the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar
of fire by night to the militant Democ-
racy OF the State was sleeping the last
and orr hearts were sad over the Gala
nifty that befallen our people. But two
successive defeats by the same allied
forces, and the fearful consequence OF
four years of fusion misrule and negro
domination engendered ir the minds and
hearts of the Anglo-Saxon manhood of
! the State, the high and holy purpose to
throw off forever the calling yoke of ne
gro domination and come into possession
of their own again. When the Democratic
convention met in this city in the month
of May, 1898. this latest determination be-
came self evident and contagious. One
thing more was necessary to fan it into
flame. A leader Of approved executive
ability to direct the fight and perform the
onevous duties of State chairman must be
found. Hon. + NJ. Simmons, who, in the
year 1892, had led the hosts of Democracy
to a triumphant victory was chosen, and
at once took up the battle of the white
people of North Carolina for the protec-
tion of the white womanhood and white
manhood of the State against the well
drilled, we'll disciplined and confident CO.
horts of fusioaism. BY his wise and ener-
getic generalship he inspired courage and
hope in the supporters of Democracy. IL
was great battle, but by his untIrlns ell
forts superb organiza ton was eHected
throughout tho entire State, ana aole
speakers went into every precinct preach
ing the gospel of white Supremacy ana
opening the eyes of the people to the true
condition of affairs throughout Eastern
North Carolina. When the election was
over, it was found that f. NJ. Simmons hdd
again led us to victory. A Democratic
Legislature and 8 out of Democratic
Congressman had been elected. The lark
cloud of negro domination had been rolled
back and secure of relief was experienced