The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-24
1T is DAVIDSON
This, Cries Craig, is the
Name the Mountain
People Present.

Il am commissioned by the Democ.
racy of the mountains to deliver /;
message to this convention. We ash
that you name as the next Governo2
OF North Carolina Theo. +. Davidson
of the county of Buncombe. The peo-
pie who sent me hither feel that the
granting of this petition would be an
act OF generosity ana Justlce.
would thrill us with the puIsations
of higher hopes and a stronger life
1t would confer to safe and worthy
keeping the highest trust of the State
1t would result in good to all the PEG
pie of this Commonwealth, in the de
Velopment of her finest forces, ant
would be building toward her highes
destiny.
And, my friends, l speak for
people true and courageous in all tht
struggles of the State, in peace ant
in war. Dwelling, as they do, in til,
loveliest portion of the earth, they
are brave-constant as the cliffs tina
tower in everlasting strength allow
their homes. In every crisis of the
State they have been as valiant an(.
as loyal as any clansmen that ever
rallied to Highland Chief.
In 1876, under their great leader
they led the van when the State was
wrested from the clutches of the
plunderers. In every stubborn con.
test in the years that followed the.
constituted the unbroken phalanx
the Democratic party.
I'm the cataclysm in 1894 when the
Eastern Democracy for a momen
forgot the keynote of Southern civil.
izatlon and were demoralized 'anG
stampeded almost to destruction, tho
men of the mountains stood with {
steadfast courage and a faith that
never faltered by the doctrines deliv.
cred to them by their great apostle
Zeb Vance. They have been beater
but never routed-always defiant, al
ways fighting.
I'm the revolution of 1898, like the
Republicans of Caen, they never
wanted energy. With an unselfisl
devotion, with an indomitable deter
mination, they stood for the everlast
ing supremacy of the imperial race
for the policies that should bring re-
pose and prosperity to all the people
of the State and peace and security
to the people of the East.
"In 1900, though warned that they
were depriving themselves of the
heritage of freemen, won by the
blood of their fathers, with a sublime
patriotism and an mistaken trust ir
the protecting justice of the ole
party, with a heroism that will not bt
forgotten, they supported the Consti
tutional Amendment. True born are
these men. They came from Apo
mattox They are the men and the
sons of the men of Fredericksburg
and Gettysburg. They kneel, but
not to thee, O Burgundy!
ut is for this Democracy that
speak, and the man that / name is
type of these men. Aye, their high.
est type and acknowledged leadc<:
not in factional strife, but like the
mountain peak that lifts its head il
calmer air and ampler ether
I'm this suspicious year the onl.
political contest of the State will be
in the mountain country. Our pep.
pie must bear the brunt and do tho
fighting. Let a mountain. man leaC
the men of the mountains, and wei
sweep on the foe like highland
storm Well wipe Republicanisn
from the face of the State. There
among the Businesses of the mountain
they would entrench themselves
There they have chosen their can
didate for Governor. There the!
bestow all patronage and hold our
every allurement to our young men
All whom money can buy will be
bought All whom Federal patron.
age can corrupt will be corrupted
but that mountain Democracy is un.
purchasabie and incompatible.
THAT section has great future. II
is young. It's resources are vast. II
is growing in wealth and population
and influence. It's career of industrial
development is just beginning. In
the future much more than in the
past it will be a potential factor
in the life of the State
The Republicans realize this Then
policy is to capture the West IN
fortunately the policies of the Demo
cratic party for many years were not
attractive to many of our people. But
now in this critical period you can
cast the die that will determine our
political future.
Name Davidson as our leader and
we will spring forward with uncon-
querable energy. In this one cam
paign we will regain our lost ground
and overthrow the citadel of the
enemy.
For thirty years we have battled
for policies not essential to our Local
welfare. Now that the amendment
has destroyed the Republican party
in the East, we ask you to remember
the stalwart ever militant Democracy
of the West. 1t is but truth to say
that we have fought harder and
worked harder than the people of
any other section of the State. II
was necessary. For thirty years we
have helped you to elect your Gov
errors, your Senators, your Chief
Justices, your Supreme Court Judges.
Now for the first time we ask you to
confer this great honor upon de-
serving people. Not in the spirit Of
disloyalty, not complaining, in the
spirit of everlasting allegiance and
brotherly love, and in deep conyic-
ton, we declare to this convention
that by every rule of right by every
consideration of party justice and
party policy. this nomination should
go beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains.
"As to the man. he is in all re-
spects worthy and we'll qualified.
Name one within the borders of the
State wiser, safer, better equipped
for the responsibilities of this exalted
place, and we will all support him.
"He came from the loins of
sturdy mountain race. His Revolu-
tionary ancestor led the 'embattled
farmers from the valleys of tho
Piedmont and was still at their head
when the ensign of st. George retreat
ed before the rifles at Kings Noun
tain. By Inheritance and by environ