The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1908-09-24

tionai affairs that they once had. In
order 10 exercise agaIn \ sightfui in
fiuenee in the Nation We must occupy
ourselves with economic questions
rather than political questions. and
tn struggle for ones. When the PEG
pie Of North Carolina once see the
wisdom Of giving equal support TO
two political parties. 30 that the one
doing the most for the economic vel
fare of the State gets the votes. we
will have attained q position OF polit-
ical strength IN the Nation 10 which
this old commonwealth Is entitled
by reason OF her past history and
glorious prestige.
The Republican party invites sup
port not only for It's National ticket
but for the ticket inside the State.
with the belief that such support
would mean the best interest OF the
State of North Carolina.
In my short speech of acceptance In
the Charlotte Convention. / empha-
sized the fact that the one feature OF
that great Convention which i'm
pressed me more perhaps than any
other, which appealed strongly to me.
and which had largely to do with my
decision, was the presence Of SO many
stalwart young men who had enlist
ed under the Republican standard.
And l cannot conclude this letter
without making an earnest appeal to
the young men Of our State.
The economic and political condi-
tions of 1908 in North Carolina are
not what they were in 1868. Condi-
tons have changed. To these young
men | am not appealing for their
votes, for l would not have them
vote otherwise than their judgment
and conscience dictate. But to them
| do appeal and ask that they study
the history of the policies and
achievements of the great Republican
party of this country and to study
well the opportunities which this
party has made possible for them be-
fore they choose their political af-
| fliations.
In certain sense a young man OF
Intelligence and courage is a more
Impartial judge of the relative mer-
its of political parties than the man
who is embittered by the memories
of dead issues and who allows the
prejudices of the past to wary his
judgment and who is Influenced by
a fancied fear of inconsistency.
| By the law of Nature, the future
destiny of the State is in the hands
of the young men. They must take
our places when We are gone, write
the laws, fill the Offices and blaze
and cut out the intellectual, political
and industrial highway.
1t is the first step that counts
said the great Napoleon. 1t is often
times a mans first vote that deter
mines his political future.
To the young men then I appeal
most earnestly to give to the great
questions which are today before the
people of North Carolina their clos
est study and their calmest judg.
ment, and to follow the fortunes OF
the political party which stands fol
the principles and policies best cal
culated to insure the peace and pros
perity of this great State. I ask
them to shape their course by hopes
of the future and not by prejudices
of the past More l haev no right
to ask, less they cannot afford to do
Finally, if elected Governor OF
North Carolina my administration
will not be characterized as a politica
administration, but purely that of 6
business man, having no axe to grind
or political debts to pay, Or future
political ambition to satisfy.
| Respectfully,
| J. ELWOOD cox.
High Point, N c., Sept. II, 1908