The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-30
Ron. CYRUS. 3. WATSON.
His FITNESS for the Senatorship Strongly Urg
ed by Ashe County'1 Chairman.


10 the Editor Statesmanship is the
first requisite of a great law maker 1t
includes ability, honesty and love of the
plain people. With all due respect to
the very honorable gentlemen whose
names have been mentioned for the high
and important position of United States
Senator to succeed Senator Pritchard, /
believe that, taking into account all these
qualities, Hon. Cyrus B. Watson, of For
syth, eXcels in this first requisite. That
he is able, no one will question The
hundreds of his profession who have felt
the point of his keen blade in many a
fierce legal encounter are quick to pre-
nounce him the greatest trial lawyer in
the State. That he is honest. his home
people of all parties and denominations
viii testify. That he is true to the
common people, is so we'll known in North
Carolina that anyone may feel sure with
out asking how he stands on every pub
lie question which involves their well
fare. "Cy Watson" as he is Familiarity
called in these parts, is the choice OF
the hard listed sons of these mountains
because in him they feel they can surely
trust.
This distinguished North Carolinian be-
longs to that class of successful men
we often call self-made. Ever since early
boyhood his life has been one of en-
during toll and continuous sacrifice When
the flower of the South went to the front
in the sixties, he volunteered at the
early age Of seventeen, was severely
wounded at Williamsport and SpottsyI-
vania, but undaunted he fought on to the
end, coming home with shattered
frame, bleeding heart, but a courageous
soul. War had deprived him of the op-
nortunity to go to school; he was thence
forth to be his own preceptor, and no
man ever had a better one. He has
risen to the highest rank in his pro-
fession, he has become one of the best
informed of men on all great questions.
he has ever been a great champion OF
the rights of plain people.
But some one will say, "AlI you write
is true, but what of his party services? ?"
Show me the man in North Carolina who
has given his life to his State and to
his party more unsclfishly more loyalty
more cheerfully! others have served the
PARTY and received reward. Mr.. Watson
has spent hard earned thousands in mon
ely and years in time for the party and
if he were to stay in the United tSatea
Senate from now till three score and ten
years had passed over his head, the
Democratic party, if it owed any man
anything, would still be in debt to him
In his own county of Forsyth he has
accepted nominations for the General AS
semhly when it seemed no one could win
and has been elected and served with
great financial loss. In seventeen cam
pagns his voice has been heard in be-
half of the teachings of Jefferson. And
in 1896 when defeat stared the party in
the face and men were sought after who
would make the race for Governor, this
man was importuned and accepted the
nomination and made the campaign. Dur
ing that campaign an accident threw him
in bed, for sixty days yet he was de-
feated by only small majority. Be it
said to his credit the Democracy gained
in every county in which he spoke. He
bore his own defeat philosophically. but
felt kecnly the defeat of his party. These
volunteered sacrifices have only made
i'm the truer to principle and to his
people. He is now fifty-seYcn years old
Forty years have been spent for his State
and his party. Messrs. Overman, Craig
and Hoke are young men comparatively
Their talents and services have been and
will be recognized. They have many years
before them. but this great and good
man one of the remnant of that glo-
rious host that faced grim visaged war
for the honor of the South, is now at
the top Of the hill of life, and before APP
preaching age shall have broken his con-
stitution and weakened his powers the
Democracy of North Carolina should
show it's appreciation of his long SER
vice and his large native talents by plac-
ing him in the Senate. The time is fast
approaching when we shall no more have