The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-07-22
fhe Young TemporaryChair
man at Greensboro.
A TRIBUTE TO MONS.
Glance atthe Work of Democracy in
R%edeeming the state.
The Speech Was Appropriate, Strong, Elo-
quent and Well Worded. The Plea
of0rganiz alton Briefly Sum-
nariz.d.

ndIiZ ~.
The following is the full text of the
eloquent, forcible and fitting speech of
Temporary Chairman A. NJ. Scales to the
Democratic State Convention at Green's
boro on last Wednesday:
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Convention:
Il esteem it no small honor to pre-
side over such a gathering. You have
come together from all parts OF our
State as her chosen representatives to
rOmot her welfare and to achieve her
highest good. You do not represent all
the people of North Carolina, and vet
all, Democrats and Republicans alike.
are vitality interested in the results of
your deliberations. You hold in your
hands her destinies. Twelve hundred men
axe acting for two million citizens of a
sovereign State. Who are you and by
what authority are you clothed with
such power? TIL answer to this ques-
ton shows how near IS the Democratic
party to the people. If it We're posi-
bic, the Democratic plan of organiZa-
ton would provide a vast nmphitheatre
where all qualified citizens could assem-
bic and act for themselves on all ques-
tions Of government. AS this is not pos
sible, the next best plan is adopted and
in countless precinct primaries, the Dem
cratic hosts have met and every fifty
men have selected a man to act for them
in the county convention, and at ninety
seven county conventions every $50 men
have selected 4 delegate to represent
them in this, the General Assembly of
the unterrifed. The plan is as nearly per-
feet as man can devise. and if this CON
Vantinn Ch0u11 not fp1ly ranracapt tha
ideals and aspirations of a majority of
the people of North Carolina, it would
be the fault of the people themselves.
There is no place in such a plan for
ring rule and bOssism, of which we
sometimes hear, and in nine cases out of
ten the ring exists only in the magma
ton of some d~isgruntled candidate, or
some citizen who never attends a pri-.
mary. To take an active interest in poll
tics is not only a citizens privilege. but
is his sacred duty. What right have |
to shirk the primary and convention and
leave to my neighbor the duty of main
tanning for me and my children the
blessings of liberty and good government?
In time of war we look with contempt
and adherence upon the man who skulks
and refuses to fight in the hour or his
country's peril. Shall we forget that
eternal vigilance is the price of lib
erty' and that peace has her warfares,
which tax the courage and fidelity of
the citizen? The excuses which men
make for their failure in this great and
important duty are numerous, but we
will have time to consider only a few.
Some men say that politics is q dirty
business and that they will not have any
thing to do with it. This sentiment we
hear only too often, and that too among
good men. God save the State and ma
, ton where such a sentiment becomes
dominant. Then indeed would politics
become a business and doubtless a very
standing apart. wrapped in their robes
Of righteousness, and carelessly watch
ing the spoilation of their country. If
1T is q dirty business, it is the fault of
these very men, who, instead Of going
about speaking Of the evils and corrup-
!, ton Of the politicians, should do a mans
part in correcting the evils and stamp
ing out the corruption. But, say some,
we would be in the minority, and be out
voted by those who are in it only for
f what they can get out of it. This is
not true. certainly in North Carolina. |
am one of those that believe in the saw
| ing morality and common sense of the
!, people and am certain that as long az
IN NJ oiAho tLhC GIL
active interest in her politics, corrup-
ton cannot permanently exist.
LAS another excuse for failure of duty
t we hear men say that they do not go to
the primary and convention because
{ some man may be nominated or some
r measure approved, which they cannot
& vote for. These men leave out of con
: sideration the fact that a Republic must
n necessarily be governed by parties. Il
). Il man belongs to neither party, he is
!. forced at election day to throw away his
: vote, or to the narrow choice Of one o.
e two candidates in whose nomination he
k fas had no voice. The wiser course
would seem to be that of going to the
primary where his vote and influence
Y will have some weight. If his choice
e wins, he has helped to make possible
the election Of the candidate. who, in his
opinion, is the best man. II his candi
date is defeated for the nomination ant
he is forced to vote for a man who is no
:. so we'll qualified, or who is not even
good man, he has the satisfaction o
knowing that he fought him where fight
ing is needed and where there is som,
chance of success.
"The true position is to always BOY
= to the majority of your party, but see t.
: it. if possible, that the majority is OF
tCui u Il Stutl u ISlL y DTIlCIUt
:, however vigorous, If made inside the par
: ty, will never permanently injure it. an,
:. every Democrat has the right to figh
y for principle. 1t may not be necessar.
. to urge upon North Carolina Democrat
= the duty of being loyal to heir part
g it would seem not-when we study it
&c history since the Civil War, we wonde
- that a true son of Carolina could b
u anything else. A plundered State pros
~ trate in misery; what was left by tn
: wreck and ruin of war had been gleane
, by the greedy hand of the scalawag an
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, degrade
and Inundated she lay. Her credit wa
~ trailed in the dust, while the isnorar
oh negro and the shameless interloper an
alien cooked their feet upon the desk:
where statesmen had toiled, and file