The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-29
Extravaganza for Poor,
Manned, Helpless
BLIND, DUMB, CRAZED
Are These the People Against Whom
You Republicans Would Draw the
States Purse Strings. Then
May God Pity Yonr
Cold, Lean Souls.
BY T.. Il. ARENDELL.

New Bern, N. c., Sept %. 1904
1 was delighted this afternoon on
arriving at New Bern to learn that
DR.. b. f. Dixon. that charming Chris
-soldier-statesman was billed
for a speech at the court house to-
night.
To those who have seen and heard
this fluent, versatile gentleman and
polished orator in the pulpit on the
rostrum, or on the hustings, it is need
less to tell of his surprising elo-
quence, his choice humor his profound
logic and his earnest and convincing
appeals. He has gone up and down
the State and has long ago garnered
the hearts of hosts of friends. He is
courtly and amiable and is possessed
of a variety of those lofty attributes
of character that go into the makeup
of that splendid blend of Southern
manhood representing the old school
as well as the new school of Southern
chiValry. He is revered by the vener-
able veteran and admired by buoyant
youth.
He speaks with earnestness. He
instructs. amuses and inspires his audi
ence in turn and elicits frequent and
generous applause. He is one man
who can dress figures up in roseate
interesting and impressive phrases.
New Bern, the charming old city CT
elms, which has for so many wears
nestled and prospered twixt the Trent
ana the Neuse. opened wide its gates
to the distinguished State Auditor and
extended to him a warm and enthuSl-
astic welcome.
4. Iie Doctor in Fine Form.
DR.: Dixon's friends everywhere will
be rejOiced to know that he has en-
tirely recovered from his recent ill
ness and is again in vigorous health
He has been in the campaign for ten
days and is in splendid physical con-
dition and as usual in the best of
good humor and good cheer. He met
and enthused a goodl ycrowd of the
Craven county yeomanry at FRUITS
during the day and returned to New
Bern late in the afternoon. and was
charmngly entertained at the palaual
and hospitable home of Hon. Q. II.
Guion.
At o'clock he was introduced to
large audience of the best men and
the most charming ladies of the city
by Mr.. E. NJ. Green, Chairman of the
Democratic Executive Committee of
Craven county.
DR.. Dixon riveted the attention of
his auditors in the very beginning of
his speech by telling humorous COLO
guy between himself and an Irish Dri-
vate during the SpaniSh-American
war.
Replies to Extravagance Charge.
He began his speech by referring
to the charge made by the Republican
party of extravaganza on the part of
the State Democratic administration.
His answer to these charges and his
defence of the State administration
was mastery and complete. His de-
fence of additional appropriations for
the insane for the old Confederate SOL
diers and for the education of the
children of the State touched the ten
derest chords of the hearts before
him and elected vociferous applause.
He showed why figures gathered
from his own Well-kept department
that the cry that had gone out charg-
ing the present administration with
eXtravagant expenditures for the edu
cation of the negroes was nothing but
a scarecroW and hoax, and while they
had been treated fairly and should be
treated fairly their pro rata part OF
the school fund was, because of pru-
dent and careful management of the
public schools system. less than un-
der former administrations. He riddled
the Republican platforms. both State
and National, and his excoriation of
RoOseVeltism was scathing.
Parker's Name Cheered.
In vigorous. burning, fervent flow
after flow of powerful, indictive and
ringing eloquence he shelled the
moras of Radical militarism, imperial
ism, extravaganza and dishonesty. He
painted a beautiful word picture OF
the great leader of the nations Demo-
cratic hosts. Judge Parker at the
mention of whose name a wave of un
controllable applause swept over the
audience again and again. DIR. DiXon's
reference to the race question which
had been once again resurrected by
the Republican convention at Chicago
formed one of the matchless climaxes
of his mastery speech.
His New Bern audience was enthu-
siastic and a most appreciative and
cheered his every sentence. After he
had spoken for an hour and quar-
ter, he was inclined to close but the
audience would not let him, but in
sisted that he should go on. He then
drifted into characteristic humor and
for fifteen minutes kept the crowd ir
tumults of cheering and laughter. and
when he finally closed there was
rush of ladies and gentlemen to shake
his hand.
Safe i'm the Fold.
The city of New Bern and Craven