Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-09-07

or doubt. The same conditions exist
today; and aside from the national is
sues that divide the two great parties
here in North Carolina, the question
of race supremacy must be consider
ed. But this, l do not mean social
equality. This / do not greatly fear.
But race supremacy is fact of past
history under Republican rule in the
South. and therefore is not only pos
sible but SURE, if the Republican
party succeeds. | have no bitterness
of feeling in the matter. My record
for the past twenty years in this city
is the best proof | can offer of my de-
sire to elevate and promote the NOR
al and material good of the colored
people, but | am not ready to COM
nit to their hands the government Of
North Carolina-municipal, county
and State. They are not equal to it,
or prepared for it | am opposed to
their oppression in any way, and ia
vor their education and treatment as
other citizens, but l do not believe
them capable of controlling and prop
erly managing our government
1t may be said that there are good
men in the Republican party, and
this [ grant is true, both with regard
to white and coIored. But the best
element Of that party, so far as my ob-
servatiOn has gone, have never heen
able to control it. There were as
many good men in the Republican
party in 1898 go as there are to-day,
but they were unable to prevent the
excesses to which that party went at
that time.
Mr.. Dockery himself says that he
came to Raleigh during the session
Of the legislature when the act author
izing the Special Tax Bonds was
passed, and tried to prevent the same.
but was unable to DO so. AS it was
then so it is now, the majority of the
voters of any party give character to
the leaders and control their acts.
1t is true in this city and elsewhere,
so far as [ can see, that the best ele-
ment of the colored people are not
able to lead their race. Hence [ am
afraid for governmental affairs to fall
into their hands. Not from any i'll
will to them, but from conscientious
convictions.
For these reasons I do not favor
the organization of the Third party,
and would warn Democrats in North
Carolina from participating in the
same. We have made rapid strides
IN this State in educating our people
Tor prohibition, and if we will stand
by our party we can advance still
tartherer. But if we 90 into the
Third party. and in so doing weaken
the Democratic party and cause its
defeat, we shall do the cause Of pro
hibition lasting harm and bring upon
ourselves and posterity great shame.
with the possibilities of burdening US |
with hardships grjevous indeed.
[ have been induced to say this |
because of my great concern for the |
cause Of prohibition as we'll as my |
interest in the success of the Demo |
cratic party. Without regard to party |
have stood side by side with those
Of my friends engaged in the Third |
party movement ia former contests |
to suppress the evils Of fintemperance.
and with all NY heart and soul | am
ready for service along the same line
now and hereafter; but wien | am
called TO 90 into movement, the
result Of which can only be harm to
our cause, and possibly place the
State of North Carolina in the hands
Of men that / am unwilling should
control it, and also place this nation
back IN the power OF the party that
us for twenty years. and
under whose reign so many trusts
and combinations were formed to
grind the poor and helpless; making
.he few richer and the many poorer
a party that had so little regard for
lhe oyer-burdened taxpayers of this
country as to declare for free whiskey.
instead of providing for hungry ]
mouths. half clothed bodies and shell
erless families. W hen [ am asked
o turn my back on the Democratic
)arty, that has stood as the great
lulwark to the white people of the ]
South, from the humiliation and deg (
TO which bitter hatred at