The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1908-03-26
AR. CRAIG TIE RIGHT MAN.

Represents Peoples Ideals In
Him We Would Have Candi-
date who Would Command the
Full Democratic Support, and a
Man Who, AS Governor, Would
IntelIgentIy and Safely Guide
The Ship Of State.
]. W Bailey in the Charlotte Observer.
I wish to submit through the
columns of The Observer
some considerations with a view
to the nomination of Mr.. Locke
Craig by the Democratic
party to be Governor of North
Carolina. | am for Mr.. Craig
not by reason Of any obligation
whatever or any peculiar relation
to him. l am for him because
of reasons which cOnstrain me as
a citizen and a Democrat; and,
therefore, I venture e to think that
a plain statement of them may
appeal in like manner to other
citizens and Democrats.
First of all, let it be understood
that the present political condi
tiens are unusual. There have
been periods when the Demo
cratic party might choose its
standard bearer indifferently
from among many Of its leaders
with impunity. There never was
a time when it could afford tc
choose men who were not leaders,
but only because they wished
the honor of being Governor. l.
is true that our majority in th'
State is large. But it is like
wise true that a long period Of
national defeat has seriously di-
{ minished the party's prestige,
; even SO that in The solid SoutL
{ there are tendencies which must
gravely concern every Democra.
who reckons With the future
rather than the immediate pres
u ent. 1t is the SOuth's peculiar
-, duty to maintain the party :
spirit and the party's strength
II in these trying years, abiding
+ the time when our whole country
will sicken of the policies of the
Republican party and look once
more to the party which gave il
the immemorable glory of those
great years when the nation was
forming.
If We in North Carolina would
perform this duty, we must be
sure to commit the party's stand
, ard to men not only worthy oI
the party'S name but such as
will readily com mend on their
own account the glad acclaim OF
the people-yOuug men, business
mem, farmers and prOtessiOna!
classes. We must select men
that will add to the party S
ranks; not men who create III
necessary antagonisms, men who
make for unity, not dlVis on; N ell
who in themselves represent the
party's and the peoples ideals
and not their personal craving
for honor or power; men whose
records speak of aggressive
measures for tDo public goot
rather than Of p.,'ate or publ
sel6shneSs.
Moreover, within the State tn
aggressive policies Of the Demo
Z cratic party have produced an e1
traordinary degree Of unres'
This was inevitable, and is not t
be regretted. | do not depre
ciate tht Sc policies. IF there hay
es been blunders, they were blur
ders in the right direction; an
- we will not abandon our cours
We will go on in our work Of ter
perance; we will go on in ourco
/ troll of The public service corp
9 ratiOns; we will 20 on with Oh
war against the trusts. Notl
ing could 6e so fatal to the par
rs To hesitate here. But if '
would go on succt ssfully, if (
would go on to victory, we mu
proceed by means Of leaders "
will act intelligently and r
strike blindly; who will make t
battle for the causes sake a
not for the fame Of it; who Y
be moved by the highest motiv
III, not oy personal animus or a
malice whatever and certain
not by mere selfish am biti ons
III any sort,
~ In Mr.. Craig we have Suct
n man. He can be trusted to ma