The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-07
TUESDAY, September Z. 1897
DO WE NEED THEM?

Every man of business in getting per-
sons to serve him, generally first saus-
6es himself as to the need he has for such
persons. May not we also apply similar
process of reasoning in considering the
use Of negroes in running this State gov
eminent?
Do we need them!
Outside Of all other considerations, and
they are many, let us keep this question
before us. Do we need Abe Middleton to
be doorkeeper of the legislature when
ene-legged Confederate soldier is waiting
for the place?
purely from a cold, practical standpoint.
The fact that these negroes are given Of
fee is based upon the other fact that they
and their followers have contributed
votes toward putting some white Repub-
licans into office. So that the intelligent,
property holding, home-making white
people of the State who stand sponsors
for all the character the State has in
peace or var, find themselves passively
allowing the representatives of 10000
unneeded and incompetent negroes to
hold office because they aided the repre-
sentatives of 10000 white Republicans to
get into office. Now, no one will contend
fraction of white people are in sympathy
with or at all representative of the ideals
or the possibilities Of the people who own
the State and who order it's well-being.
These 10000 white Republicans are but
the scum which floats on the surface of
the black aimless mass. These 10000
care nothing for the negroes in their
hearts; they use them to get into office.
while about 10000 responsible white
men Of character are thus practically dis
franchised. Disfranchised, too, when this
same 10000 pay the taxes, pay the
wages and educate the very black who
Keep in power 10000 white Adventures,
with nothing to lose. The cold PROPOSE
ton manifestly, it would seem to us, lies
somewhere within the lines here sug-
gested.
Now then, what is the remedy? There
is but one. Say to the negro: you may
be all that your 10000 white office
hunters claim, but we, the 10000 white
men, do not believe it. AT any rate, we,
the 10000, don't need you in our bust
ness Of running this State, and we see
no reason Of INDUCING in the dangerous
sport of feeding your white spokesman at
the risk of the business and the integrity
of the State, both Of which they keep in
peril.
The next step is simple: The 10000
white men who stand for the State GER
tainly should have the prevailing voice
in it's affairs. Who are they? Populists
$4,000, Democrats 100000.
Will they, coming together, take charge
OF this State government by voting
against the control by the 10000 ne
groes and the 10000 white Republicans,
or will they, being kept apart by selfish
schemers, remain practically disfran
chised. seeing the products Of their sweat
and soberness scattered by those who sig
nify nothing? That is the question. We
believe the people have come to the point
where they are ready to act In concert
for white supremacy, ignoring any and
all leadership that conditions securing
white supremacy upon giving offices or
place or power to any class of men.
No brethren, we do not need the negro
or his white buncO-steerer to help
us run the State. The logic
OF the situation, therefore, de-
mands even for decency's sake that
we take the course by which we may
rid ourselves of himself and his allies.
Namely, by the white men first getting
together for control. In 1869 the Wings
and Democrats, confronted by the same
evils that imperil us, put aside the hot
heads, and invited the white people to
bury every difference to save the State
The same spirit should prevail now.
After that we may well assure our
selves that the best interests Of the State
will not be in danger in other respects