The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-08-15

signing individuals, In the hope
of creating dissensions in the
ranks of the democratic party.
The point we have in mind il that
the effort of republicans to dis
credit competent and deserving
democratic officials should be dis
couraged. We cannot expect to
attract support for our friends by
encouraging the abuse of rivals in
our own party and democrats who
have the interest of their organiz-
alton at heart will not acquiesce
in any suggestion which Is not
consistent with this idea of pro-
priety in the matter under consi-
deration. 1t ID a pleasure to say
that the democracy of this section
disapprovss, most emphatically,
of any effort to impeach the past
official records of democrats, who
have long been in the service of
their people, simply because they
are seeking additional honors.
Our folks recognize merit in any
man and are perfectly willing
that all of their deserving sons,
who may seek political prefer
ment at the hands of the demo-
cracy of the State, shall stand or
fall upon their just deserts. They
believe in a fair, open contest and
the employment of honorable
means only in presenting the
claims of any and all candidates
for public position. Striking be-
low the belt is not one of their
characteristics and they do not
endorse foul methods employed
by any party or individualfor any
purpose, either personal or politi-
cal. The covert attacks upon
prominent democratic ohce-hold-
ers, by republican newspaper
correspondents recently, has been
without the slightest provocation,
so far as we are advised. and dem
ocrats do not hesitate to denounce
the nefarious practice as unwar-
ranted and malicious. The idea
advanced by . few people that the
aforesaid ISLANDERS were inspired
by democrats, in the hope of adj
vancing the candidacy of Mr..
Craig for Governor, is far from
being correct. Neither that gen.
tlemen or any of his friends have
preferred charges against either of
his opponents; nor does he be-
lieve them to be other than high
toned Christian gentlemen and
deserving democrats.
Reports of the recent speeches
that have been delivered by some
politicians and ~aspirants, for pub
lie Office. indicates that they are
endeavoring to divide the demo-
Gratis of the State into radicals
and conservatives" Such a pro-
position as this should meet with
emphatic disapprovaf in demo-
cratic circles everywhere through
out this good State from Murphy
to Manteo, whether the suggestion
is made by Kitchin, Craig, Horne,
Daniels, Caldwell, or any other
individual or newspaper. There
Is absolutely no valid reason for
an attempted division in the ranks
of the democratic party in North
Carolina at this time and every
democrat ought to desist from max
ing any reference to a possible
condition which, if it should be-
come an actuality, would bode no
good to the party now IN control
of public affairs in the State.
Candidates for Office cannot win
upon opposition alone. The day
has come when merit counts
for something and the man who
appeal to prejudice will, sooner
or later, find that he has miscal-
cuiated the temper of the people.
The interests of the democratic
party and the public at large are
more important than the personal
ambition of any individual, be he
radical" or conservative" We