The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-07
Leads all North Carolina Daies i'm News ana Circulation


with the people. 1t means criticism and
analysis, both of public men and public
measures The truth has never yet been
hurt by criticism. just or unjust, and 1T
is the truth about both men and measures
that the electorate of the State should !
at all times be we'll informed. The ne
gro issue has created in the past an IN
tellectual thralldom, which prevented the
independent exercise of our intelligence
The constitutional amendment marks an
era of change. It's promise is one OF po-
litical freedom. l am quite ready to well
come any independence, whatever its
cause. whatever it's object. and without
regard to it's temporary effect, in the rest
full assurance that eventually the truth
will dominate. Agitation is better than
stagnation. 1 congratulate you, gentle
men of the Independent Democratic
party, having for, its object the support
of Mr.. Hill and the defeat Of Judge Clark,
upon the boldness and aggressiveness of
your spirit. l have no sympathy, how
ever, with its object or it's methods. l
am an admirer and supporter of Judge
Clark. He has been relentlessly ar
raigned at the bar of public opinion, and
he has been handsomely vindicated by
large assemblage of representative law
yers and citizens of this State when re-
Gently nominated by the Democratic
party. He has been accused of prejudice
as against corporations in his judicial
opinions, yet an examination of these do
not disclose the fact. but show that
majority of them have happened to be in
favor of such enterprises. 1t has been
fashionable for some years in certain
circles by inuendoes to question his fidel
| ity to public duty, but these inuendoes
have come from men who would not be
accused themselves of a sacrifcial love
| for the public interest, and are known to
| be quite superserviceable in their devo-
| tion to the special interests they rep
! resent
A man of natural ability. of exem-
plary habits, a tireless worker and a
close student, Judge Clark has attained
| in the estimate of the people of this
State a splendid position as a lawyer
and as a man of letters. He has served
his State in war. He has served it in
peace. He has done splendid historical
work for the State and he has written
widely upon economic questions. l may
not agree with him at all times in his
opinions upon public questions, but
concede to him the liberality of judg
ment, which he extends to others, and
| recognize that there is not man now
living in North Carolina who has
achieved for himself a greater national
and State reputation for brains, char
acter, learning and public usefulness.
He may not be perfect, nor would he
be human if he were. but all that his
opponents have been able to show in
their criticism of his letters to ex-Gov-
ernor Russell is that he simply invoked
the executive of this State to enforce
the law. l do not conceive that this is
in itself a crime, for the very life of the
law is in its execution, and it were a
pity that there were not more admins
trative and judicial officers bold and
brave enough to demand it's rigorous
enforcement. Educated to respect char
acter, l have no sympathy with the at
tempt to elect Mr.. Hill. an able lawyer
and estimable gentleman, by an attack
upon the personal character of Judge
Clark, whom 1 esteem and respect.
think the friends of Judge Clark have no
reason to anticipate his defeat. His
enemies have served him well thus far
IN their opposition. / am quite certain
that the wider circulation of ''some very
SlFOnS drIlcleS OF the character OF your
letter would result in his reelection By
great majority l have no doubt ''its
going to take money and lots of it to run
this campaign and defeat Clark" l ques-
ton, without offence. but regret, that
you have no one to call upon for money
for it might increase the circulation
medium in the State, without injury to
Clark or the public, but am not one of
the friends upon whom you may depend
in this cause for voluntary contribu-
tions. l am not on the anxious bench.
seeking to be converted from the error
of my ways, and | do not think, if 1.-The
State will be damned by such a man as
Clark" that there is any immediate
anxiety to be feared from perdition.
Certainly there is no prevalent seeking
for the glorious opportunity to avoid
the supposed impending danger. Mt
Pelee is far away in the distant oceans
at rest. Yours truly.
IREDELL MEARES.