The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-31

Were in power. They were elected upon
a pledge to cut down appropriations and
taxation and increased both, and then left
a deficit
There is an invitation to all who are
opposed to class legislation. Evident.
y that is an invitation to those distil-
lers and saloon-kcepers who were shut
up by the Watts law or by the vote of
the towns. In the Surry county conven-
tion Republican orator waxed eloquent,
so his friends said, in denouncing the
Watts law, but we are told, that his
speech received scant applause when he
struck the Watts bill and he quickly
shifted to national Matters Exactly
so. The Republicans and their allies
taking their cue from the Morning POST
demagogical attack on the Watts law
evidently intend to make an issue
on that law. Very we'll The Democratic
PARTY invites the issue. Having for thir
ty years depended upon the Negro, the
Republican party is now getting ready
to depend upon Whislxey, and to make the
Worm of the Still the trade mark of their
party. Let them do so, if they wish to
| further damn their discredited old hulk
of a party. There arc good men in the
party, who will shut their eyes to trust
rule, scandals, negro voting and the like,
who will not stay in party that has
nothing to stand on except a whiskey
barrel In 1882, the Liberal party ex-
pected to land by an appeal to the Negro
and the Liquor Still. 1t failed miserably
ana will fail again, for neither the men
who believe in prohibition or regulated
license to sell liquor viii have anything to
do with the Republican party in North
Carolina They know that most decent
men have long ago quit it, and if they
now try to restore stills and saloons in
unprotected county districts, they viii find
all decent men walking out of the party,
leaving nothing behind but the smell of
birthstone The Watts Law is based upon
the sound principle that whiskey shall
where there is police protection, and in
such places the voters shall say whether
license for enc or both shall be issued.
The Democratic Legislature passed that
wise law and the Democratic party of
North Carolina will defend and maintain
it. and the great bulk of the white people
of the State-those voting license and
these voting against license-will destroy
any party that seeks ever again to restore
tie decentralization and debauchery flow
ing from stills and saloons where police
protection is not maintained.
For the Republican party-just at this
time when its every convention is
scene of disorder, trickery, dishonesty,
or a mere carrying out OF we'll creased
rlans of the machne-to be inviting any
bcdy to joint that party for good gov
crnment, honest elections or anything
else, shows the gall of the ofGce-brokers
and office holders who dominate the Re
publican party in North Carolina. So
disreputable has the whole concern be
come that Hildcbrand, whose Republican
ism is attested by the fact that he was
once Washington correspondent OF the
Asheville Gazette and now Washington
correspondent of the Charlotte Observer,
in a recent article in the last named
rapar said:
"If the Republicans of North Carolina
do rot cease their mud-slinging perform
ances and quit befouling their own party
nest, they will soon ALLEVIATE the good
will and lose the respect Of every nation
al leader"
They haven't ceased, but, since Hide
brand wrote, have begun afrcsh to tell
til, plain truth about each other. 1t is
mol mud-slirgng that they indulge IN,
but a simple use of paint by which they
paint life-like portraits of one another,
warts and all. The only hope for them
not to "aienatc the good will and lose
the respect of every national leader is
to become deaf and dumb.
May 18th is the day fixed for ratifying
and simplifying the platform OF the Morn
ing Post, and nominating ticket to go
through the State disappearing the Dem
ocIatic administration. They invite com
parson, and they shall have it until they
pray for the rocks and hills to fall upon
them.