The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-11-29
LID lime PARTY STRUGGLES
CAPTAIN of Steamboat Equal to
Emergency
Civil Rights ON the Cape Frar-BrCad
Cast u; thc Natcr~-St"ppinS u'S
Drum Hcat.

That W2S an SNCel-nN al AiSAt c.A N'''
N!axton republican convention. COT
tributeG b. Red Buck" 10 the Char
lorte Observer Sunday. November 21tn.
Nc one can tell q story better than
Red Buck" and no one could have
,imned the characters and narrated the
startling features AMI strenuous incl
dcnts of that convention with more
charming versatile Len.
But those who were witnesses o.
and participants in party conventions
and political gatherings in the late
sixties and the early seventies be
came familiar With scenes which the
younger men of this generation can
only dimly imagine.
The law OF Acknowledgement Was
still on the white intelligence ana
character OF the state-on men sup
posed TO be worth $4,000 and NOR"
Though they were precious few ana
CT all who had held civil office IN the
Confederate government
About 1872 or 1873, before Vance had
redeemed North Carolina by his bril-
liant and glorious campaign OF 1876.
the republican congressional conVen-
ton OF the old third district was held
in Fayetteville. The delegates from
New Hanover, Bladen and perhaps
Columbus reached this place by steam
er from Wilmington AT that time
we were in the clutch OF the great
dominant majority, and civil rlgh,S
lstrange misnomer) were supreme.
The boat on which the delegates
we're to make their trip was the North
State, commanded by capt. Thomas
], Green, one of the bravest, coolest
and most determined men | ever knew
He had besides the delegates severa!
prominent men and women of VII
r.ington ard Fayettey lille as passen-
gers
The republicans Were Of both races
Eut they were all as BLACK as the
back
Before they left Wilmington the
captain was convinced that his ua-
welcomed passengers would insist oH
enforcing their civil rights and when
the North State swung out from her
wharf he was ready for the tu5-
sic.
At supper time the steward went oV'
: er the decks, ringing the bell, the
5 FAYETTEVILLE men and women having
: received a hint from the captain to
lcmain in their seats in Tie sa!O-i
cabin. The delegates white and blacF
ClamorOus and hungry swarmed into
l the dining saloon, and ATTACKED the
abundant fare. Few of them were
S used to anything better, and therefore
l they did not notice that the table ser
vice was something OF the cheapest
a coarse huckIebaCk table cloth, Ill
, spoons two prOnged forks and tn
> cOmmonest of crockery. But there wa
. plenty to eat, and when the last ma
i had gorged himself and had arise
;, from the table, for deck hands march
ed up, took each corner OF the tab
cloth, swung dishes, knives anr forks
b1Oken food etc, all in jumble
this great bag carried it out to tn
% railing on the upper deck, and tOsse
+ the whole blamed thing over into tn
l. Cape Fear river.
r. Then the table was handsomely n
n set; the other guests without a smi
III or a turn of expression to show th'
al anything out of the ordinary had o.
We Cured. filed into the supper roor
IT. preceded by the captain, and we
~ seated tc an appetizing hot su
Der.
III Capt Green's friends the enem,
had the wind taken out of their sail
IA completely. They we're furious, b
" they had no visible ground Of col
plaint, and were forced to suffer tht
humiliation in silence. The bitter w
- bit" severely.
nd 90
;, The memorable campaign OF is
bio alluded to above was truly bat
on OF the giants" The hosts were II;
rgo ! ehaled for the struggle by the p
~, eminent leaders on both sides;
=, foremost men in ability, PERSONAL
,dv public service, and prestige-Val
No for the democracy and Settle for
to republicans. The Dolemics OF tn
men on the hustings were worth he
,re- ing and created the widest enthusia-
all The democrats throwing of the fett
are of long and almost intolerable dc
ice. ination felt victory in their bones
sit were eager and aggressive; the
ded Iublicans, after an nnbridled lease
rest | rover, were desperate, dogged and
: of | teImined. The antagonists, the
can | tral figures in the arena, were am
lade the most remarkable men OF I
here time. Physically of commanding,
leri- nified bearing and presence; cou
fads eous. alert, @yroit, depaters, spea
y OF wonderful power.
At the appointment for the sp