Sir Randol Addresses Voters Ahead of The 1949 General Elections
Mr. B.A. Cambridge and Dr. C.R. Walker Address Voters of Southern District
The Nassau Guardian (1969)
A spirited joint campaign meeting was held last night at the Inagua Society Hall, Bay Street, by the representatives of the Southern District, Mr. B. A. Cambridge and Dr. C. R. Walker. This was the first joint meeting of the representatives, who are seeking re-election to the House of Assembly at the forthcoming general election.
The first speaker was Mr. J. Stanley Lowe, Editor of The Herald. Mr. Lowe said that he and Mr. Cambridge had on many occasions engaged in political controversies.
In the 1942 campaign he had fought Mr. Cambridge, but through the merits and accomplishments of Mr. Cambridge for the betterment of the Southern District, he had been converted to fight for—rather than against—a man with such a fine record of achievement.
Many of them had made mistakes, Mr. Lowe said, but if the good greatly outweighs the bad, then they should discard the bad.
Remarks by Mr. Randol Fawkes
“As the time for this general election draws near we, registered voters, will find that there are more candidates than there are seats in the House of Assembly. It is therefore essential that we allow our minds to rest upon thoughts that will assist us in wisely selecting two of those who seek our votes.
“These are the qualities which I commend you to remember in considering each candidate, no matter who he is:
SINCERITY — Sincerity which springs from a true desire to help others. The answer to the question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ must always be ‘No — I am my brother’s brother, and what affects him affects me also.’
A KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY AND PROCEDURE OF PARLIAMENTS — The passing of bills in the House of Assembly is a very intricate business, and one who does not understand this difficult art will fall an easy prey in the hands of unscrupulous politicians. This knowledge can be gained either through diligent study or from practical experience.
MORAL INTEGRITY — The candidate must be a man of moral stamina and courage. One who is not afraid to look the other in the face and tell him that he disagrees with him; one who knows his own mind and is not afraid to express it. One who is able, and one who will dare to express his own opinion whether or not it hurts the petty prejudices of the few.
TACT AND EXECUTIVE ABILITY — Executive ability can be summed up in one word: drive—and together with tact, will enable the candidate to successfully co-operate with others. This is the ability to put a programme across after it has once been formulated. A programme that is not carried out is no programme at all.
PLATFORM — Platform is a statement of principles and policies for which the candidate stands. Each item of the platform is called the plank. Obviously, the best platform will be a progressive one—one which guarantees a higher standard of living for the poor man; jobs for those who seek work; security for those who need it; and a good education for our young people.
FAITH IN DEMOCRACY — Democracy is that system of government wherein all, or nearly all, of the people play a part on a basis of equality. That government is the servant of the people and not their master. That the happiness of its poorest citizen is of as much importance as the welfare of its richest subject.
Concluding, Mr. Fawkes said that those who believe in democracy must believe in it like a Methodist; get experience like a Baptist; pray for it like a Presbyterian; be proud of it like an Anglican; practise it like a Christian; spread it abroad like a Roman Catholic; and enjoy it like a man.
