The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-01

converted into market gardens for b
populcus cities OF the North. A negro
tenant in my county OF Wayne, recent
ly declared that he had made $500 on
strawberries. after paying his rents.
and then added. You, see / couldn't
afford to be Governor"
A gentleman writing to me recently
from Newbern, opposing the lease OF
the Atlantic and North Carolina rail-
road, declares that a new day has
dawned in that section: that men feel
secure in their property. safe in thear
business and hav therefore turned
their attention to business and hat
h whole Eastern section viii soon be-
come a garden out OF which the Allan
tic and North Carolina railroad shall
grow rich. This feeling of security COW
ers h state. This wonderful invest
ment OF capital in large business enter
priseE with a full knowledge OF our
tax laws, of our assessments. OF our
needs. Of our purpose to care for the
weak and afflicted. and to educate the
young. proves conclusiveiy that the
business men OF North Carolina realize
the benefit Of good government and the
profit to be found in an educated co.
gle. In view of all these facts / cor
cially invite every North Carolinian
to become a Democrat. There arc
those who say that we ought 10 have
two parties in the state. The time may
come when this will be true. 1t will
certainly come if the party in power
proves unfaithful to its trust and be-
m corrupt or inefficient: but for ti,e
present, with an honest ana courageoU5
administration OF the laws, with 4
constant thought for the leeds of the
weak, with a due respect 10 the rights
OF the strong. with an earnest endeavor
to serve all to the uplifting OF the whole
rnt 10
sufficient. We need a united people.
We need the combined effort of every
North Carolinian. W need the strength
which comes from believing alike. But
I am no advocate of compelling belief.
1 would not check freedom Of speech.
L would set no imit to the utterances
OF the press, save the limit which the
law always sets, that Of speaking tho
truth. But, having spoken the truth.
having printed the truth, 1 would have
all our people to believe in the posi-
bilities Of North Carolina; IN the
strength of her men the purity of her
women, and their power to accomplish
as much as a be done any where on
the earth by any people. I would have
them to become dissatisfied with small;
things; to be anxious for higher and
better things; to yearn after real great
ness; to seek after knowledge; to do
the right thing in order that they may
be what they ought. 1 would have
them strong to bear the burdens of the
weak and to lift up the weak and make
them strong, teaching men everywhere
that real strength consists lot in serv-
ing ourselves, but in doing for others.
I see the day coming when this state
shall sit down at the common table of
the Union an equal sister with all the
others gathered there-equal in wealth.;
equal in high performance; equal in no.
BILE ideals. Nothing short Of this ought
to satisfy us and to attain this let US
ever hope.
I thank you Gentlemen of the Con-
vention, for the courtesy o have ex-
tended me in permitting ME to say these
things. / know that the choice which
you shall make today will be a worthy
one. The state will be in good hands
and / shall return to the life of a prf-
vate citizen forever grateful to the peo-
pie Of this state for the honor which
they have done me for the c~onsiderate
courtesy which they have ever shown
me.