The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-25

geologist / will learn of the secrets
hidden in the bowels Of our earth, fur
nishing untold wealth, while as to
matters connected with our railroad
interests / will not be afraid to con-
suit railroad and anti-railroad men,
so as to decide whether 1t may be best
to sell, lease or conduct on business
methods. From these who know the
most on given subjects | will try to
gather the best Of their judgment and
then with light and facts before me,
and asking above all the guidance of
the God of wisdom, who will always
give His humble servant even more
than he asks, | will do what to me
seems best and right for the onward
progress and future development OF
our people and the State.
In all things | will strive faithfully
to promote the material educational
and moral interests of North Carolina,
both in the State and abroad even to
foreign shores / will tell of our fertile
soil, our hidden resources, our power
full water power our balmy breezes
and life-giying waters, and last, but
not least, our patriotic and generous
men and beauteous and pure women,
inducing all kinds of immigration to
cur midst to the end the diversified in
terest may spring up, furnishing 81
market for our farmers fruitful en-
ployment for our laborers, and source
of investment for those who have
money to put in business.
But. gentlemen of the convention,
with my JOY today also come regrets,
for / sorrow while / enjoy the reward
that the great and good men who
were my competitors are necessarily
compelled to endure defeat. ny my
friends, General Theodore f. Davidson
and Major G. M. Stedman, great old
soldiers of the past, able lawyers, gem
erous citizens and Christian gentle
men of today, I greet you and offer you
my friendship, with the assurance that
| will do anything l can for your COM
fort and pleasure.
To my friend w. d Turner, sturdy
oak in the Democratic forest, whose
ability is only equalled by his inteS-
rity, L likewise extend my good wishes
and hope / can some day serve you.
And now to those who were my friends
in the contest, who held up my hands
and won success. | assure you my
appreciation will be co-extensive with
my life, and my recollection of your
goodness will only fade as memory
dies. To those who in an honorable
way fought me, striving for their
friends, my competitors, | have no
stand, and what higher tribute can l
pay you than to say: You were faith
full to your trust
To the few, and / am glad they were
very few who, practicing dirty poll
tics, tried in three months to destroy a
character that had taken me fifty
years to build up, | can only say l
hope God will give me Christian grace
sufficient to rise high enough to say:
[ will forget and forgive. This is no
time for political speaking. Later on
/ will meet you on the hustings in
your own counties and discuss with
YOU the great issues of the day. And
now | must go to send her who has
been the sharer of my joys and sor-
rows, a telegram, telling her of my
victory so that she may likewise re-
JOice.
Also I must go the sick bedside OF
my brother, here in this city, and get
his congratulation and receive the
blessing of my dear old mother, who
in answer to her prayers, has been
spared long enough to see her boy
honored by the party which she taught
him from infancy to love with his
whole heart.
And now goodbye until we meet
again on the hustings.