The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-30

A Suggestion that Wake Democrats
Hold Conventions Like
Johnston County.

10 the Editor: In politics l am now
and have always been an optimist, l am
of that class who believe that 1.-The peo-
pie may safely be trusted to rule. l
say this in advance as complete answer
10 any charge or suspicion that | am
kicker, sore-head, or that / am enter
tanning pessimistic views of present con-
dltlcns which the facts do not warrant.
That we are Just entering upon a new
era ih our political affairs, and that new
political alignments, to some extent at
least, must necessarily follow as conse-
quence OF recent legislation in our State.
must be apparent to every thinking and
otservant men. Therefore it behooVes
every good citizen, as far as possible, TO
acqualnt himself with the real conditions
and then to lend his influence and espe-
cially his personal efforts in securing
such control and management OF our gov
IeHnmental affairs in al Of their varied
departments as will bring prosperity and
cCntentment to all the people.
1t is not profitable at this time to dis
cuss the past or to crticise personal po-
htical management II there was any war
rant for complaint and criticism.
1t is all important that we address our
selves to the living present" and i'll
spirit OF unselfishness and willingness to
make all reasonable concessions, look
stoadfastly to the future.
Let the spirit of true Democracy pre-
vail and let no action be taken which
may raise even a suspicion that the
humblest citizen has been deprived Of his
rights, and all will be well
| would urga upon the executive com
m!ttee OF this county when they meet
next Saturday to make provision Tor the
frecst and fullest expression OF opinion
aud choice in all conventions. 1t might
be sufficient and satisfactory to have an
early delegated" convention for the pur-
pose OF naming representatives to the
State convention at Greensboro. The
county convention should be called fer
later date and this should be a mass
convention" composed OF every Demo
crat in the county who is sufficiently in
terested to attend.
I am aware that there are some ready
to say that such a convention would be
too unwieldly. In reply 10 this | Will
say that it is far better to endure this
for one day than TO run the risk, even Of
possibility, Of having to endure an in
tolerable government for two or four
years. l am not crying wolf to try to
frighten anybody. l have been among
the people enough in the past six months
to learn much about the popular feeling
about matters political in this county.
At the risk of being criticised l am GO
ing to make the prediction here and now
that unless the people are made to feel
that they have free hand in the selec-
ton of candidates for office there will be
little assurance of Democratic success.
On the other hand il they are made to
feel that they have been accorded full
justice and fairness there Will be no
doubt about success this year or in the
future. Our political leaders now have
the opportunity Of building up the
strongest Democratic organization this
county has known. VIII they seize the
opportunity and victory or shall it be dis
indignation and reorganization?
J. C. ELLINGTON.