The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-15
NEGRO DRAWS COLOR LINE
HAS ABANDONED HIS VIEWS 10
BEAT THE WHITES. M
Mr., F. M. Simmons Scum a Wen
Timed Warning in His
Behalf.

Bayboro, N. G., Oct. ID Especial -
In bis speech at Bayboro last Satur-
day, Mr.. Simmons, speaking of the
negro in connection with free silver,
made some observations which think
ought to be given to the public.
Among other things he said:
-Four months ago all parties IN
North Carolina were for silver and
against the single gold standard. The
Republicans were then as united and
insistent in their declarations for sill
YER and against gold as the Demo-
Gratis and Populists. This was not
only true of the white men of the
Republican party, lead by Pritchard
and Russell, but it was equally true
of the black men of that party, lead
by Young and White. The country
negro, whether a farmer or farm Ia
borer, was especially earnest in his
advocacy of the white metal. He had
talked over the subject with his land
lord or employer, and they had agreed
that the gold standard was respon-
sible for the low prices of farm pro-
ducts and silver was the only hope
of relief from hard times, brought
about by low prices of farm products;
and they declared their purpose here
after to vote for their interests in
common with the white farmer and
laborer. Unfortunately, division has
sprung up between the white people on
the money question, and the colored
man thinks he sees a chance to slip
in and get control. He thinks he
sees the opportunity he has sought
for, hoped for and patiently waited
for. He has forgotten silver. He is
needless of his material interest, and
there is everywhere evident a fixed
purpose on his part to martial his
vote, not for the yellow metal and not
against the white metal, but against
the white man.
n leading eolored man, who assisted
the Democrats in 1892 and 1894, was
heard to say to two other negroes a
few days since, If the negroes will
stand together this year we will be
sure to get on top That is the feel
ing and hope which this year will
make the colored vote more solid in
North Carolina than it has been since
the dark days of 1868. At one time
thought | saw signs of a desire on
the part of the colored people TO vote
intelligently and to be instructed as
to their best interest, and / always
took pleasure in trying to point out
to them what / thought was to their
interest. But, in his present frame of
mind, what is the use of discussing
with him the questions which are
dividing other mems minds? He is
not thinking about nor caring about
the benefits which silver will be to
him. He is not thinking about nor
caring about the wrongs which the
gold standard has inflicted upon him;
he is not thinking about nor caring
about the justice of an income tax or
tariff for revenue; he is not think
ing about nor caring about the extor-
tons of trusts and monopolies. He
has reached that point in his intellect
ua1 development when he can under
stand these things and their effect
upon him and his interest, but he has
put them aside and deliberately shut
his mind to all consideration of them.
| know and the white people know
what are now his thoughts and what
is now his purpose. He thinks he sees
in the divisions which have unhappily
come between the white people of
North Carolina on these questions,
chance TO slip in and get on top Let
me warn him of his mistake and dan
ger He will not get on top and if
he does it will be the greatest misfor-
tune that has ever befallen him. The
day is not come and will not come
when the white people of North Caro-
lima will permit the colered man to
rule over them. The Anglo-Saxon
neck has never yet been Bonded to
such yoke. | must decline to discuss
to him these questions, because / have
seen enough in this campaign to con-
vince me that / would be throwing
away time to talk to him about these
things when / know his heart is set
upon one thing only and that so hor-
rible and repulsive that / could not
trust myself to discuss it. Suffice it
to say that the white people of North
Carolina understand that the colored
man this year is voting to secure race
supremacy, and they will not be un-
mindful of the danger which threatens
them and theirs when they vote in
November. | am not drawing the color
line, the colored man has already
drawn it, and it is that fact that danger
which / desire to impress upon the
white people Of this country and Of
North Carolina.