Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-01-19

is a part:
The Inaugural Address.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
Friends and Fellow Citizens:
Four years ago, at the close of an
administration that engendered bitter
nesS between the races, and promoted
riot instead of peace, the present re-
firing administration commenced it's
arduOus laDOrs, under an amendment
to our organic law, far-reaching in it's
provisions, and untried as to its re-
suits. Enemies of the measure pre-
dicted that dire. calamity would follow
its enactment and enforcement. that
race prejudice would be deepened, and
lawlessness and disorder prevail;
while it's friends claimed, ,.4at by cur
failing the negro's power at the ballot
box, and eliminating ignorant and ire
sponsible blacks from participating in
State and county government, order
would be brought out of chaos, and
peace and safety assured.
The effects of the amendment have
been most beneficial. There is now
no friction between the races, and our
State, after bitter turmoil, stands re-
newed and strengthened in all matters
involving its material, educational and
moral welfare. Today, no one save
the vicious, who desire to use the ne
grO's vote for corrupt purposes, would
willingly see the amendment repealed.
and great majority of our people, if
| the constitution of the United States
| should demand it, would rather give
up part of our representation iE
| Congress than return to conditions
| that confronted us prior to its enact
| ment.
FOUR YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
Looking backward, we see four
year era Of State prosperity; for while
we have heard of vars in the far East
race troubles and labor dissensions in
ether States and know that pestilence
and famine have come with ruin and
death into other lands. none of these
evils has troubled us. but our people,
happy and contented, have been thank
full for mercies received, and rejoice
in their intelligent progress.
Our farm products have usually
brought fair prices, enabling our far
their lands Business has generally
been good, with only few failures.
while great enterprises, furnishing
new markets, and paying good wages
have been established in many locali
ties.
Education has received new lrnpe
tus: law and order have been main.
tanned, and mob law scarcely heard OF
Our people are living sober, industri
Gus lives. with work for all willing
hands, so the incoming administration
will have little to do but push forward
!, oad ca
to our wealth and improvement.
The State at large can truly say
to the retiring administration, "Wel
cone, thou good and faithful servants.
Death only, in it's natural course
has cast it's shadows over us, for dur
ing these years we mourn some OF ou
noblest and best, occupying all cond1
tions and callings of life, and notabl.
among them. one of North Carolina
most gifted sons, Matthew w. Fan
som. Truly we can sorTUw over ''thi
= cid man great" who as soldier, ora
S tor, statesman and citizen in war AM
> in peace, ever stood for the defense
j upbuilding and glory Of the State n
loved so well.
r Looking to the future, we will nc
: attempt in detail to map out any IKE
+ policy for this administration, prele
ring to meet emergencies as the
come" sufficient unto the day is tn
: evil thereof''-only suggesting certai
= measures that may aid in our deve
, opment.
O Here the Governor discussed
e length the different problems ths
/, confront the State in an able and e
e haustive manner, closing with the
s remarks directed to the members
n the Legislature.
- Upon you, gentlemen of the Gener:
=. Assembly, devolve most grave and IN
;, portant duties. Fresh from the peopl
+ in whom our constitution vests all p
"a litical power, you know their want
- and I feel that the members now 81
81 ting will be sufficiently brave, broa
~ minded and patriotic to meet ever
,r difficulty and overcome every Obstac
- hat stands in the way Of the upbuil
,a ing and betterment of our State. Yol
~ power is truly great, and should
- exercised wisely and with discretio
a., for you can enact, amend, suspend
repeal all laws, thus having in yo'
ho Of fho fof