The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-18
Comments on Living Topics
BY Archibald johnson.

BY APCh1Dald Johnson.
We are listening every minute for
the cry to be raised that the cotton is
of no account at all. OF all the un-
certain things in this world of woe,
cotton is about the least reliable on
wet year.
A boy from the neighborhood OF
AsheVille is earning $500 a month, IL
IS said, by high diving" in st. Louis.
1t is true he has a tolerably high po-
sition, but his brothers are better off
who are blowing mules in q Buncombe
new ground, for if they fall down they
can get up again, but if the high
diver slips it is goodbye John.
The way Mr.. Rowland talks about
developing the country along the line
of the Atlantic and North Carolina
Railroad is a sight. We nope MS
money is as plentiful as his intentions
are large.
Governor Aycock's prompt and Wig
orous message to the authorities last
week in regard to the protection of the
brutal negroes whose lives were
threatened by a mob at Wilmington,
was a refreshing contrast to the puny
effort at resistance by the Governor of
ago. And the coWardice Of the blood
thirsty mob was very clearly shown
also. They were very boisterous until
the cleaning bayonets of the Whining
ton Light Infantry appeared on the
scene; then they fell back" and
sneaked off, satisfying themselves
with throwing rocks at the windows of
the departing train. This is exactly
the way to manage a gang of ruffians
bent on blood. The average mob is
not seeking vengeance so much as it
is the pleasure of. killing somebody,
and so far from being brave men, at
the first sign of danger they run like
turkeys. We are glad the law will be
allowed to take its course.
The September Review of Reviews
names two Southern Governors who
stand for law and order in the midst
Of a wicked and perverse generation.
They are, Governor Aycock, of North
Carolina, and Governor Montague, of
Virginia. These brethren are by
odds the ablest Governors in the
South.
The conduct of the Georgia troops
az they passed through North Carolina
last week on their way to Manassas,
explains the savagery of the States
boro mob. 1t is a pity the Charlotte
police force did not bag the whole
gang of towards and land them in the
lookup.
Convention Prayers.
Looking back over the past few
months we recall a number Of pray
ers that We're offered at the various
conventions of political parties, but
none of them were offered in a prayer
full spirit. Not one of them contained
the first elements of prayer, namely.
humility. All that we heard or read
appeared to- have been poured into
the ears of men rather than of God.
Some of them were carefully written
out so that they would read right. The
sentences were all properly rounded
and they were as correct and polished
as that of the Pharisee who went up
to the Temple to pray. On the other
hand the people who are supposed
to have shared in the petition for di-
vine favor, behaved in a shamefully ir-
reverent manner. 1t is reported, in one
instance at least, that the shout,
'Louder, old man." was distinctly
heard throughout the convention hall.
Now we honestly believe it would be
better to begin the business of a po-
litical convention with no prayer at
all than with the shameless mockery
SO often seen at the opening hour of
these conventions 1t lowers mems
respect for religion to drag it in the
dust, and it dishonors God. Bishop
Potters dedication Of the Subway
saloon in New York sent a shock of
horror through every Christian heart,
but it was not a whit more irreverent
than many a prayer prepared and de-
liVered solely for the ears of men. We
make the motion that the prayer in
the State Democratic and Republican
conventions be dispensed with here
after, and that the members proceed
at once with the business before them
without attempting to make capital
either for themselves or the party by
addressing wingless petition to Al
mighty God.