The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-01-19
Governor Glell'S
Inaugural Address

AAuu5uA VI AuU1 UUk
Gentlemen o. the General 'Assemb:,
Ff.ens.s .:na Feilow-Ci,izeas
Ho;,r years ago, at the close OF q
administration that engendered bite
ness between the races, and promote
riot Instead Of peace, the present r.
tiring administration commenced il
20 orr organic law, far-reacblng in il
provisions, and untried as to it's re
suits Enemies of the measure pre-
di.;ed that dire calamity would folio,
Its enactment aad enforcement, tina
rsce prejudice would be deepened, an,
is,s!e#sness and disorder prevail
While its friends claimed, that by cur
sailing the regro'S power at the ballo
tex, aud eliminating Ignorant and II
resY'nsibie blacks from participatfn:
j. re and county government, or
der would he brought out of chaos
ar} rcace and safety assured.
The effects of the amendment have
been most beneficial. There is now nc
s.ict;on between the races, and oul
STATE after bitter turmoil, stands re
neaeG and strengthened In all mat
ters involving Its material. educa-
uonai and moral w-lfare. Today, no
one aava the vicious, who desire to
use the negro's vote for corrupt pur-
roses, would willingly see the amend
men. repealed, aad great ma jOrity OF
o. cur psople, ii the constitution of the
United States shall rightfully
demand it, would rather give up q
part of our representation In Con-
gress than return to conditlons that
confronted US prior to its enactment.
FOUR YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
Locking back ward, ws see four
year era Of State prosperity for while
we have heard of wars in the far
East. race troubles and labor dissen-
sions in other States, ard know that
pes,ilence and famine have come with
ruin aud death into other lands, none
of these evils haYe troubled lis but
our people, happy and contented, have
been thankful for mercies received,
and rejoice in their Intelligent prog
ress
Our farm produces have usually
brought fair prices, enabling our
farmers to pay their debts, and i'm
prove their lauds. Business has gen.
orally been good, with only fey fall
ures, while great enterprises, furnish
ing new na.ke,s, aud paying good
wages have been established in many
localities.
Education has received new i'm
petus law and order have been main
tarned and NIB law scarcely heard
of Our people are living sober, In
du>trious lives, with work for all
willing, bands so the in incoming adj
minis;r,tion will have little to do but
push forward along lines that have
added so greatly to our wealth and
ia, grove ment.
The State at large can truly say, to
the retiring administration, "Well
doGe, thou good and faithful SER
Want"
Death only in Its natural course, has
Cast is shadows over Us, for during
these year, we mourn some of our
nnbiast aud test, occupying al condi-
lions and ca!lngs Of lite, and notably
among them, one of North Caroliua's
ms. gifted sons, Matthew w. Ran
som. Truly we can sorrow over "this
Old man great :" who as soldier, ora
tor, etate~lnan and c,.lzen in War and
in peace, ever stood for the defense,
upbuilding and glory OF the State he
loved SO we'll.
Looking to the future, we will not
attempt in detail to map out any
fixed policy for this administration,
preIerrlng to meet emergencies as
they c,,Iu-, sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof only suggesting Ger
tain measures that may aid In our de-
vel nmenJ.
IMMIGRATION.
In the past, as State, we have been
too modest and shown too little SELF
assertion, thus, detracting from our
dignity ID worth, and leaving the
word little acquainted with the re-
sources If our land, the worth of our
people or the history of the Common
wealth.
For examples, every patriotic North
Carolinian glorles in the MeckIenburg
Declaration of Independence made on
the Goth Of May, ITS, yet not having
given, until recently, proper publicity
of its authenticity, outsiders believed
it my tn, and spoke OF it as without
foundation. So likewise, We know, the
valiant part taken by our State in the
Civil war in the defense OF the South
To- nSvNlea nd