The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-03-13

high treason-he the quasi representa-
tive of the head of the nation or the
priest who lectures on popular politics.
| may leave it to the Northern people
to say which opinion is worthy OF re-,
spect-that of the cultured Boston
audience which applauded to the echo
the burning words of the young orator
as they fell scintillating from his al
ready ievered lips that of the public
press, which calmly discussed and
warmly praised them, or that of the
priest who forgot his sacrament of coz.
secration SO far as to turn his altar into
hustings and to substitute for the
Gospel of Peace the gospel of slander
and vituperation.
ADVICE TO MINISTER.
l would recommend to the consid-
Grafton of the reverend politician the
study of that beautiful parable taught
to His disciples by the Saviour of man
kind, the Master whom we strive to
follow and whom he processes to adore
of the man who went down to Jeri-
cho and was robbed, and stripped,
and wounded, and left half dead that
beautiful lesson of charity in which
even the Samaritan may by showing
kindness be counted as neighbor to all
mankind, in the hope that through
prayerful consideration the reverend
gentleman, when he shall hereafter
stand in the presence of death, may
not wantonly insult it, but like that
Levite may at least have this degree
of grace, to pass by on the other side.
THE RACE QUESTION.
The momentous peril to which |
alude is one which at this time, 1t IS
true, more Immediately and directly
affects the South, but which impends
over the whole nation. 1t is ghost
which will not down at any bidding.
1t is nothing that every newpaper OF
the South is filled with it? Is it moth
ing that every student Of the South,
every thoughtful man, on every occa-
sion feel; himself impelled to declare
its prope solution to be the matter OF
SURPRISING Importance? 1t must be
discussed it must be solved, for upon
its right solution depends the salvation
OF this country. 1t is only of late that
the question is being treated in the
spirit of proper discussion. Formerly
it was rather the subject of violent con-
tention, and the occasion of vitupera-
ton and recrimination. 1t has be
come now too serious for this. Men
do not quarrel in the presence of peril
nor scold in the face of death.
THE NORTH DOES NOT UNDERSTAND.
| believe that the wide divergence
between the North and the South on
this subject at present is mainly due tc
the fact that they do not understand
1t alike. Before they can agree upon
its solution they must be brought to
understand it alike-that is, the North
must be convinced that the South is
right. In discussing it we must not
permit ourselves to be handicapped by
confusing different things. We must
make it primarily distinctly under
stood by them that the present ques-
ton of white or black supremacy has
no connection whatever with the ques
ton of loyalty to the Union, or witt
the question of slavery, and conse
quently we must convince them thai
the negro possesses every right which
the Constitution guarantees and which
his faculties enable him to enjoy. If
in the exercise Of any right whatever
he is in any way impeded, it is only
so far as the welfare-nay, as the ex
istence-of the nation necessitates
That there are some whom we Car
never convince l know we'll. The pro
fessional Haman will never sleep while
Mordecai sits at the gate.
THE soUTH's PRESENT CONDITION.
The condition of the South at pres
ent is one which should invoke tht
sympathy, not the derision, of all th'
people in this great land. When Lei
surrendered at Appomattox the Soutl
laid down her arms and gave her pa
role, which she has sacredly KEEP
through dangers manifold and suffer
ings of which the outside world know
nothing She has preserved he
plighted troth and has steadfastl,
stood for the Union and the Constitu
ton. With her sons slain, her home
steads dismantled, her most sacred
customs and her most cherished tradl
tions derided, her institutions destroy
ed, no groan escaped her lips, and a
last the power within her, the inheren
vitality of the Saxon race which peo
pied the old thirteen States and hav
created this nation, has raised her u
and placed her once more upon he
feet with her face to Heaven.
THE NEGRO A MENACE.
Now a new danger threatens her;
! has grown steadily for a generation
During that period the negro, who ma
been given, in the utmost good fait
at infinite cost, all the advantages c
education which his faculties have en-
abled him to receive; who has ha'
trial of governmental responsibilities
is a greater menace to the South thai
he was when he first became free
man. Wherever he laid his hand b
has left its stain. He has improved il
some localities in some respects; bu
as race the negro q state it wit
grief) has not advanced. Whereve
he has had free control it has run t
license, and the South has acted onl
under the impelling instinct of sell
preservation; of preservation not fror
. death, but from what is worse tha