The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-25

father Col Allen T. Davidson, in the
practice OF his profession. He was almost
Immediately elected solicitor for the couE-
ty of Clay and later, coming to Bun
combe to live, was chosen chairman Of
the Democratic committee of the county.
which position he filled with recognized
ability for ten years covering the most
trying as well as the most eventful period
in our State history--a periods in which
the foundations Of the present Demo
cratic party in North Carolina were laid.
In 1850. General Davidson was chosen
State Senator from the district then com
posed of the counties of Buncombe and
Madison. and in the legislatures Of those
years was given the chairmanship of the
Committee on Corporations and the Ju-
dietary, respectively, the latter carrying
with < acknowledged leadership In the
upper house. In 1882 he was appointed
fudge OF the Superior court, and IN 1884
was elected attorney general, and four
years later was named his own successor
without opposition. On retiring as at
torney general. Gen. Davidson resumed his
residence in Asheville, and in 1895 was
elected mayor Of the city and in the fall
of 1902 was chosen Il member of the Gen
eral Assembly from Buncombe by large
ma iority.
This briefly states the more important
public services which General Davidson
has rendered the State. In integrity,
ability and patriotic devotion to his peo,
1le, he stands the equal Of the foremost
living North Caroinian today, and his
friends feel that the ambition he has 70
be Governor Of the State which gave him
birth, and to which he has given such
faithful service. is proper and laudable
one.
Profoundly familiar with the history Of
North Carolina; proud of her past and
hopeful Of her future; with a pure private
life and clean public record; speaker
of genuine force and a gentleman of
broad culture, with great executive ability
md a rare capacity for Details possessed
of unusual fitness for the executive chair,
Theodore f. Davidson would make TT
companion in the hall of history for the
greatest of North Carolina Governors.
SO much for our mountain man. Now
I word as to the claims OF our section.
For fifteen years the storm centers-the
real hand to hand battles in North Car
Dina politics-have been IN these noun
tains. 1t is nothing more than truth to
say that political research will hardly dis
close a parallel to the devotion and ur-
failing loyalty which Western North Car
DINA has always displayed towards her
white brethren in the East. We have
fought to our own hurt and changed not
though many times it seemed as if the
overthrow of Democracy in the noun
tains must be the inevitable price of
white supremacy in the East. During the
long and acrimonious county government
fight, when each succeeding year showed
the Democrats of the North that the Re
pubhcans were augmenting their forces
by the cry, give us local self govern
ment," no Macedonian cry from the East
ever went unanswered by our mountain
people. but when the final contest came,
when in the councils of the Democratic
party of the State it was determined 10
dissipate at once and forever the black
cloud, from the East. did not our noun
tain men stand? Was not the eye to eye
struggle in the West? Did not the rank
and file OF our people ring clear and true.
though through Republican misrcpresen-
tation not few of our local strOngholds
were swept away by the declaration that
.the whites will be dsfranchised alike
with the blacks if this amendment is
ratified
Gentlemen of the East. the man we ask
Won TO nominate for Governor. next year
lid woman service in all these contests
FOR your deliverance SIS did his ancestors
for the independence of t776, We counted
the cost before the struggle began, aud
gave no regrets. We have helped you TO