The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-14

lCidH ny pIiHBIng MS FORCES INTO a hlEu
state or organization, and winning an
Unbroken series of victories. When the
tide OF fusion swept over the State, he
labored INCREASINGLY throughout that orgy
OF disgrace, to raise the fallen fortunes
OF Democracy and restore North Carolina
II North Carollnians. He never lost
faith in the result, never doubted the
eventual triumph OF the forces OF good
government. Biased upon the political
control OF the negro, Fusion contains
within itself the elements OF it's own de-
struction. We have only to wait for the
dawn. Sooner or later tina unholy alli-
ance must tall TO pieces OF its own rot
tenness." Such was his declaration made
III a public address in 1895, the darkest
pei iod of defeat and disaster ever wa
messed by the Democratic party in North
Carolina. Subsequent events proved thal
statement prophetic. He bore an honor
able pare in the great campaign OF '98,
which witnessed the States redemption
from the clutches of Butler, Young, Abe
Middleton, Russell, and the other poll
tea harpies that had preyed on its Vi
tails. Two years later he was chosen rs
the running mate Of Chas. b. Ayc0ck,
in the memorable struggle which sealed
the victory of '9S and gave the State
it's greatest measure for half century.
the Constitutional Amendment. His can
vaes during that campaign was bold az
gressive, convincing. Wherever he spoke,
he was received by enthusiastic crowds
upon whose minds, he created deep and
favorable impression. He has presided
most acceptably in the Senate during the
last two sessions OF the legislature, where
he was instrumental in promoting sound
and honest legislation. The man with a
JOE up his sleeve, hanging about the
lobbies III the VAN hope OF showing it
through the legislature under cover, shun-
ned Turner. Especially did he acquiC
himself with credit, while presiding over
the Impeachment proceedings instituted
against Chief Justice Furches and JUS
tice Douglass. Though occupying a place
of peculiar difficulty he filled it so ca
pably ana with such impartiality, that
his rulings were sustained upon every
disputed point. He enjoyed the respect
and confidence of both the advocates and
the opponents, of the impeachment IN
all the bitterness and recrimination
which marked that noted incident, not a
breath of criticism was directed against
him. Those who know him best, speak
with admiration of his simple sincerity.
"T like Turner" said a prominent Dem
ocratic leader, because you always know
Where to place him. He keeps his prom
ises" Shakespeare tells US Of a poll
tician who could circupvent God but
Turner eschews the crooked way. the
lying, deception and trickery, TO which
the guerilla resorts in the belief that
no ri, gN-@-
dirty methods.
He has the courage to express his con-
victions when occasion requires, to OK
press them bravely and fully, regardless
OF whether they are likely to prove pop
TURNER OF IREDELL FOR GOV-TWO
ulal or unpopular. With him, there is no
laying of the cay to the ground with
CCntemptible solicitude to discover in
what direction the procession is moving.
He does not back and fill and trim his
sails to catch a favoring breeze ready
to embark for any port that promises an
easy voyage. Unconscously, he once de-
scriped his moral attitude in his remark
addressed to a friend Il have made it 4
rule" said he Ito consider all questions
requiring my attention upon their merit,
ana then to pursue what l decide Is the
right course He first considers, then
decides upon the right course, and having
decided, pursues it: There you have
Turner. Indeed he is not politician at
all according to one conception, the con-
ception OF an oily-tOngued gentleman who
grasps the citizens hand with every man
lie station Of pleasure, expresses deep
concern for the health and happiness of
the citizens family, meanwhile huDgering
for his vote, and after that not caring
il the citizen and his family are burned
in their beds
With that class of politicians, Turner
has no kinship. His is speech plain and
dir ect disclosing the man Of action. He
has a kind and sympathetic heart, which
causes him to feel a natural interest in
the welfare of men in all conditions OF
life; and many an act of genuine charity
has he done unknown to the world. He
Gespises the hollow and boisterous assump-
ton of good fellowship which your willy
professional place hunter dons, when Oh
the trail of office and lays aside like
a Worn-out garment after the chase is
over.
Thoroughly Democratic in taste and
opinion, plain and unassuming in address,
his quiet cordiality sits upon him grace
fully and those who meet and find him
friendly instinctively feel that he would
be so aside from politics. In all .-.e
varied experiences of life, whether in law,
business, or politics, he is u gentleman.
OF clean hands and pure life, the upright
man walking in his integrity. His is a
nature which defeat does not embitter or
disappointment warp, nature which
shows singularly free from envy or re-
verge. He manifests a full appreciation
of the merits of his opponents and should
one of them prove successful, his support
from Turner will be cordial and sincere.
He has also a quality yet more remark
able, he can bear success His elevation
to office would not be another case Of
man clad IN little brief authority
swelling with pride and consumed by
vanity. All the world knows what a spec
tacle before high heaven is presented by
the beggar on horseback. Turner will
net grow dizzy from having climbed too
high, or be intoxicated by that rare at
mosphere which encircles the mountain
tops OF political ambition. His eye will
be as clear, his hand as steady us when
in other years he trod the quiet and
unobtrusive paths of private citizenship.