Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-11-10
DEMOCRACY BREAKS
LOOSE IN ROSEMARY
Parade, Bonfire, and Burying Of
Republican Party and the Leaders
Of the Local Hughes -Linney Club
Mark the Close Of Day Of
Alternate Doubt and
ExaItation
W. L. LONG MAKfS
STIRRING ADDRESS

Following a period Of gloom
and depression came the sudden
change to hope revivifed, and
Democracy burst loose in Rose
mary Wednesday night. 1t was
brewing all day and local leaders
made every effort to find out de-
finitely how the presidential con-
test was going before night but
were unable to learn anything
more than that chances for Presi-
dent Wilson'S reelection grew
hourly brighter.
But it was too late to stop
the crowd and plans for the
working off Of surplus steam on
an organized scale went forward
apace. The Rosemary Concert
Band was enlisted and a giant
parade formed, consisting of the
band, group of young ladies
carrying flags, and then the
ranks Of the unterrified Demo-
cracy, several hundred strong.
marching two abreast. The parade
marched from Rosemary to
Second Street where its numbers
were augmented by hundreds of
Roanoke Rapids people. Turning
up Second Street the parade
halted in front of the residences
of two prominent Republicans
and regaled them with the sweet
strains of Nearer My God to
Thee. Another halt was made
in front of the residence of Hon.
w. L. Long and a committe sent
in to invite him to make an
address, but he was not at home
and the parade reformed and
marched back to Rosemary,
where they were addressed by
Mr.. Long who had just returned
from Weldon.
Mr.. Long made a spirited
address which fitted with the
temper of his audience and elicit
ed almost continuous applause.
Mr.. Long stated that it was now
unquestionable that another big
triumph for democracy had been
scored, in the country, in the
State, and in the Nation. He
mentioned the fact that the big
States of the East had rolled up
their customary majorlties for
the party that bowed to the
power of predatory wealth; that
the enormous sums spent in those
States by men who wanted
special privileges had produced
the usual results; and that the
reelection of Woodrow Wilson
had been made possible by the
Solid South and the people of the
Western States, where mon
thought clearer and did not bow
before the power of vested
interests. The South, more firmly
in the saddle than ever, stated
the speaker, must in the coming
administration pay Cue ac-
acknowledgement to the great
West for the support that made
possible the triumph of Woodrow
Wilson.
He closed his remarks by
stating that the time had now
arrived when the Republican
party as personified in the local
Hughes-Linney Club should be
laid to rest. The crowd proceeded
Immediately to act on this sug-
gestion and with w. c. Williams
as master of ceremonies two
great graves were prepared IN
which the unfortunate Republi-
can party and Hughes-Linney
/ Club were laid to rest. A large
| bonfire was started near the
spot on the suggestion of w. +.
Horner, Chairman of the town.
ship Democratic Executive
Committe in order he said that
the heat might enable the de-
ceased to get some idea of the
warmth of the regions to which
they were addressed.
As the bonfire burned low the
crowd began to dispense and
the celebration was over. 1t was
a spontaneous outburst of pent-
up loyalty and devotion to the
principles of the Democratic
party and showed stronger
than could any words how
deeply engrained is the love Of
i n -. :. -. -. =. IL l..A. q Il /.