The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03

have stood by me in this contest, and
with this must go words of praise TO
the men who have stood so nobly by the
gallant Watson and the great Craig.
Those men have been just as loyal and
true to them as have been M friends
to me. Some one had to be elected and
some had to meet defeat. and as 7 stand
here tonight l can only feel regret that
ali might not have won the prize
And tonight we are all friends, vic
tor and vanquished, for we are all Dem
~oCrats, and in this hour | can say, God
bless all of you. may the work that
has been done rebound to the glory of
the State and to its people, morally, in
tellectually, socially and idustrially."
again 1 al you for the high hon
or you have conferred on me, and again
IS Mr.. Overman finished there came
cries of Watson, Watson which min
gled with the great applause following
Mr.. speech. The Hall was
packed and crowded while the galleries
were damned. Everywhere in the great
throng there were ladies whose cos
tunes gave a touch of color to the
scene, and who Joined heartily in the ap-
| plause.
l1eH 1NTuS /. watson SPOKE. uSTG
| was no trace of sadness on his face, or
was there a tremor in his voice. 1t was
the same Watson whom men loved for
his great qualities, great In victory, great
in defeat. He faced the people bravely
in this defeat. as becomes one who has
had the support of a noble band, and Ia
speaking he gave his supporters just
pride in having lowered their flag with
him as their leader.
Arising to respond to the calls made
for him he said:
"Mr. President, Gentlemen of the eau
Gus, Ladies and Gentlemen: II can
scarcely find words with which to ex-
press the pleasure which 7 have in ad-
dressing you this evening. / want to
say to you that it is not the first time
that I have suffered defeat. that it is
not the first time that l have been borne
helpless from the field. but I want to
say too that in no battle for Democracy
have I ever acknowledged defeat for its
principles which l have ever struggled
to uphold and defend"
ut was for Democracy in 1868 that l
made my first fight when the new Demo-
cratic party of North Carolina was born
into existence. and there has been no
campaign since that day tina 1 have not
c1Ch III t"C lhIIhtol il Lie light IOI
Democracy. In my humble power there
has been no service which I have failed
to render. and this disappointment will
have no effect upon me in the future, for
I will remain just as loyal to the party
and will strive just as hard for the
good of the men and women and chill
dren of North Carolina, and be just as
watchful for the best interests of the
homes of the State as l have been for
the past thirty-four years"
1.-The homes of North Carolina. They
are the foundations on which rest the
best that there can be for all. May they
be the most happy of all places. for in
the life Of the home there is that which
we must depend upon, something great
er than the wealth Of corporations, be
these homes the palaces of the great, or
the novels of the poor. 1t is the homes
of North Carolina that give to success
fer good government, and as long as
the homes are safe the State will be safe.
l am Droudcr of my record, in this hour
of defeat because | have stood for the
homes, than l would be tonight in vic
tory had I not followed out this prin-
ciple of my life"
4 have no heart burnings tonight, and
I say to you loyal men of the old iron
- @ tAioC do q uClCdJSU l.
have only the warmest feelings for you
and that through my body there runs
a fervid stream Of gratitude, while every
nerve. tingles when I think of the deep
devotion you have shown me. l will never
forget it. / will never forget how you
have stood firm and have never deserted
NE even uD to the crisis Of the battle.
l can't find words in which to thank
you
Il have said I could scarcely find words
in which to express the pleasure which
l have in addressing you. l toic the
truth, for 1 could not nave spoken at
ali # l had been successful. l would
be as the young man, who after wooing
the girl he loved as earnestly as / have
Wooed this office sought, could not speak
when finally yes rewarded him. 1t was
not the time to speak. How could he
have spoken. OF course he could not,
and 1 would have been in the same pre-
dicament."
-"It is a pleasure to look on you people
here, even those who helped to defeat
me. They are my friends and | nave
the greatest regard for them in the de-
votion they ave shown to the man they
supported. A man lives for his friends,
and in their devotion he finds the great
est applause for that which he does"
ri thank my friends again. And now
we will adjourn and l will go home. and
help to hold up the hands of the gen.
tleman whom you have nominated"
HON LOCKE CRAIG SPEAKS.
There were many cheers for Mr.. Wat
son and then came cries of Craig,
Craig" which brought forward the gal
liant young Democratic champion of the
mountains. His face was pale but there
was that in his eyes which showed an
undaunted spirit. His voice, at first low,
rose clearer, ard vibrated intense with
the earnestness of the hour. He said:
"Nfr. Chairman, Gentlemen of the eau
Gus, Ladies and Gentlemen: Il thank you
for this demonstration of regard for me.
and in replying 70 this call l can say for
myself, to adopt words from the speech
of a noble North Carolinian: In the
land of Sci when q soldier lost his buck
Ter there was no regret because a soldier
found it."
Il may say tonight that for tho first
time in my life / have been defeated in
a contest for an office ! sought. did
NHFl n 2 b16 r. .