The news & observer., 1904-10-30
The Governor at His Best,
Charms People.
The Strong Address of Hon. A. C. Zol-
llCOffer, Who introduced the Gov
ernor---"Best Speech Aycock
or Anybody Else Ever Made"
Says DR.. ]. D. Hufham.
SAYS DR.. ]. D. Hufham.
Special to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Henderson, N. c., Oct 29.-Gover-
nor Charles B. Aycock spoke at the
Opera House here today at half past
two o'clock, to a crowd that filled
every seat, and listened with the great
est delight to what was a profound
speech, exquisitely delivered.
Many ladies were present and the
crowd was one which was in every
way representative of the best classes
of the people in the city and county.
The Governor caught his audience at
the start and as he proceeded he was
given what was a veritable ovation.
| The enthusiasm he aroused was the
most marked that has been noted at
a political speech here in years. The
cheering was spontaneous and almost
inceSsant. His manly defense of his
administration, the honesty of his
frank utterances and the eloquence
with which he set forth his high
ideals thoroughly won the hearts of
the people and enthused and fasc-
mated them With the integrity and
| charm of the n. n and the speech.
1t was the largest political meeting
which has been held here in years
and, besides thoroughly pleasing and
| inspiring every Democrat, undoub bted-
ly won over a number of waVering
voters.
The meeting was opened by Hon.
A. j. Harris. county chairman, who
welcomed the crowd and introduced
Hon. A. c. zollicoffer. who presented
the Governor in a strong and ringing
speech.
At the conclusion of Governor Av-
COCKS speech, the crowd surged for
ward spontaneously to shake the hand
of the speaker and, on invitation of
Hon j. r. Young, the entire crowd,
men, women and children came up
and were presented to the Governor
Best speech / ever heardi" "Great
speech!' Best thing that could have
happened in the county," were the
ordinary expressions of opinion among
the people.
The venerable Doctor J. D. Hufham.
/ then whom there is no man more
able or more loved in the State, was
| guest of honor on the stage.
1t was the best speech | ever heard
Aycock make" was his comment
land the best speech I ever heard anv
body make"
Mr.. ZollicOffer's Introduction.
The speech of Hon. A C. Zollicoffer
introducing the Governor, was so
-" aptS dH eIOft tnat 1t
should be read by every one i'm, the
State. AT the request of leading
Democrats who value it so highly as
to deem its publication of much i'm
portance as a peculiarly able presen-
tation of the issues of the day. it is
thus far reproduced below in full:
Fellow Citizens, ladies and Gem
tiemen:-In the performance of this
most pleasant duty which has been
assigned to Nv tha
courtesy of the chairman of the Dem.
ocratic Executive Committee | nighr
we'll content myself, and please Won.
by simply saying, my fellow citizens.
here is the great Governor of a Great
| state. The time the occasion and
| this presence. however. inspires me to
venture further. / come not how
ever, to intr duce the distinguished
gentleman, who is with us to-day for
to any North Carolina audience that
i'Would be as a thrice told tale. but
in behalf of the people OF a county
| whose name is immortal, and shan
never die, l come rather to ~reet and
to welcome you. sir, with a heart full
| OF love and gratitude. not only as our
| Chief Magistrate. but as brother.
friend. and member of our common
| household. I come to greet YOU sir.
in behalf Of the heroes of 60 to 65.
| See you here these venerable men:
| thse veterans of a nobl hand They
ar the remnant of many a we'll fought
| field See they on crutches-with
dismembered limbs-with disfig-lrei
faces. They brine with them the scars
and marks of honor from Gettysburg.
Manassas, Bull Run and Appomattox
See them with enfeebled bodies with
sto0~ing shoulders with ho~rv hairs,
| bowed in humble submission. thev are
waiting the Masters call to a higher
and better land where they may rest
| from their labors. Soon little mounds
| in yonder cemetery shall mark the last
| resting place of some of the worlds
| greatest soldiery. Their bodies
buried in peace but their names live
| eVermore."
| In years ~one bv they hazarded
everything in their country's cause.
They bade farewell to homes-to
mothers-to mothers srdlu. Gcmbis
mothers-to wives to children-to
sweethearts and with eyes only to the
front "the dared to do or die"
They have come here tod" to paw
| homage to you. sir. who. as leader
of the great Democratic party, have
done So much to tighten their bur-
dens. and to give them a few comforts
| in their declining years. / come to
greet Won sir. in behalf of the hum
dreds of widows in North Carolina.
some of whom reside here-whose
| lives have been saddened-whose
homes are dark md vacant and the
bones of whose loved ones have long
since mingled with dust and soil on
the battle fields Of Virginia. The sti-
| nond oyiIran them is small but the