The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-08-28
HENDERSON, N. c, THURSDAY, AUGUST 49, 1902.

would not like to say positively
that we will carry every congression-
al district. but l believe the strong
probabilities are that we will
REPUBLICANS WITHOUT ISSUE.
''On State matters the Republicans
have no issues. They are beating
about in the dark. Their only hope
is in Democratic dissensions The
people know that that party as now
constituted in the State, is utterly
incapable of giving even toleraby de-
cent government. They have moth
ing to offer the people and their only
stock in trade is to try to pick flaws,
and to try to make little trouble
here and there by winning over sore
headed Democrats with the promise
Of Federal patronage and the use of
money. Our people are honest and
virtuous people, and but few of them
can be reached in this way. Those
who can be reached in this way are
at once spotted and despised as trait
ors and mercsnaries by honest peo-
pie. No party can be built up in
this way in the South. When the
campaign opens in earnest and the
people take hold of the situation all
of these little Republican schemes
will speedily come to naught.
"Populism has ceased to cut any
| figure in North Carolina politics.
Those who did not come back to us
in the great campaigns of 1898 and
19o0 have gone bodily over to the
Republican party. The men who
went into the Populist party from
principle are back in the Democratic
| party. Those who went there for
office and spnils are in the Republi-
can party.
The return of the Democratic
party into power, although it is ac-
of more than half the negro vote Of
the State, has restored good feeling
bstween the two races. There is now
feeling of mutual friendship be-
tween the black man and the white
man. Each is trying to help the
other. The negro has become bet
ter laborer and a better citizen. The
white man has become more inter
ested in his betterment, and he Is
doing all he can to make him good
and honest citizen. In matters Of
education the white man is giving
him all that he can afford to give him
without in Justice to his own children
Our Constitution requires four
months shool term. and this we pro-
pose to give to both races. The ef'
fort of the Republican supreme court
to force division of the school fund
upon per capita basis will not sue
ceed because it is based upon s
strained Interpretation Of the Con
stitution and because that would re
suit in discriminating against thu
white children on account OF the FAC
that white schools cost more thai
colored schools. The only proper
basis of equalization is the schoo
+ term.
CAMPAIGN ON GENERAL LINES.
"You ask what will be the keynot
of the present State campaign. Oh
we'll, there will not be one keynot
but many kevnotes. The establish
ment by the Democrats of condi
ton of law and order in the State
the restoration of peace and amt
between the races, the establismen
Z of honest and competent govornmen
and the Democratic capacity to con
Il tinue these excellent conditions, to
gether with the notorious incapacit
of tho Republicans in this regard, t
say nothing about the determine
{ { ton of the people to contribute thei
y share toward relieving the country 8
u large of tho grinding expressions an
= sxtortions of Republican special an
class leeis,ation-all these thing
> will plead powerfully and irresistabl
Il in behalf OF the Democrats. III
u people know they are Prosperou
Z lust as few years ago they kne
70 they did not prosper, but they kno
that the pros perity Of today is wnfl'
= wide, just as they know that the Il
,. preston of a few years ago was worl,
'e wide, and they know that they woul
&c have prospered much more thar the
have but for tho ruinous tribu
which Republican legislation h
levied upon them in the interest
20 its pampered benefciaries:
J. Yes, we will have a little scrs
~ in North Carolina this year-quite
< lively little fight-but the opposite
" will grow weaker and weaker as
r get nearer to the election. 1t W
ro then be seen how impotent are t
= efforts of the elements of opposite
is to persuade the people to again col
r. nit their destinies to party who
m utter incapacity has been so signal
-. proven