The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-01

trict a negro is the regular nominee
OF the republican party for solicitor.
In Wilmington, the largest city in the
state there is a negro collector OF Gus
toms, drawing a salary Of $4,000, and
his deputies are chiefly negroes. In
Wilson, with a population of 5000,
there is a negro postmaster. In the
town Of Rocky Mount, n of the lead
ing towns of Eastern North Carolina,
with a population of 5000, a negro post
master. There are in eastern North
Carolina appointed by Mckinley. with
the consent Of Senator Pritchard,
twenty or thirty negro postmasters. In
the city Of New Bern and Craven
county there is a negro register of
deeds. In Wilmington there were four
teen negro policemen up to a few days
ago when a great uprising of the peo-
pie caused the republicans TO take
them down and put white men in
their place, as it was too much Of a
good thing ana likely TO bring the
white people together. In New Bern
there are negro policemen, negro al
dermen, negro cOnstables, negro depu-
ty sheriffs, a negro register Of deeds,
a negro coroner and twenty-seven ne
gro magistrates. In EdgecOmbe coun-
~ there are thirty-One negro magis-
trates and a score Of negro cOnstables.
In Halifax county there are twenty
seven negro magistrates and a score of
negro constables. In BERTHE county
there are seventeen negro magistrates
and negro constables galore. In Cas-
well county there are negro magis-
trates. In New Hanover county there
are forty negro magistrates and a ne
gro register of deeds. In North
| Carolina today there are 300 negro
magistrates and half as many con-
stables. In North Carolina, all told,
there are nearly 900 negro o~ffice-hOld-
1~icitOrs. Legislators, senator's,
magistrates, 1chool committeeman. etc.
Yet Senator Pritchard. as the leader
of the republican party in North Car
DINA: Mr.. HOltOn, as the head of the
republican organization, and the fus-
ion press, have asserted that there are
but few negroes holding offices in east
ern North Carolina, and only a few in
significant and unimpOrtant offices
We're filled by negroes. Senator Pritch-
ard has recently asked the president
of the United States to send
troops to North Carolina to intimidate
the white people because they were
determined to rid themselves of negro
domination. This representative of the
republican party, Pritchard, a few days
ago. said only a few negroes are hold
ing office in North Carolina! The peo-
pie of eastern North Carolina and the
press have asserted and do assert, and
/ as chairman Of the state democratic
organization, do assert, and SOlemnly
assert that there is negro rule and ne
gro domination in eastern North Car
DINA. Pritchard, Holton and the flu
sion press nave denied the proposition.
What constitutes negro rule? 1t is not
a question of opinion, but a question of
fact. The act shows that there is ne
gro domination. In view of this fact,
I have called this convention so the
~oo-Jo re oortor~ Mouth 10 rO1;~o oo-
set forth the facts concerning negro
domination and negro rule so the peO-
pie of the state can see the conditions
themselves and determine as a jury
whether there is negro domination in
the east. 1 called this convention to
show in a calm, dispassionate way
whether there is negro domination or
not in North Carolina, believing that
if the people Of the central and west
ern portions of the state are truly sat
isfied and convinced of the fact that
We are actually living under the
shadow of negro rule in North Caro-
lima, they will rise in their might and
make that awful calamity a matter of
impossibility. (Applause.)
Mr.. Simmons added: The white peo-
pie of North Carolina, in my judg-
ment, have made up their minds that
negro rule must and shall stop. Gap
plauSe, and cries Of cit shall StOp."(
Inc ropuDllcdn podkerS nave Sd1O the
democratic party is the negro party,
that the democratic party has appoint
ed negroes to office. I say that is a lie.
| (A~pplauSe.) But whether or not, the
white people of North Carolina, ire
spective Of party, have determined that
this negro business has got to be stop
ped in North Carolina. (Applause;
I cries of '"That'S So Eve will stOp it,"
etc.) The democratic party of North
Carolina is not the enemy of the ne
gro. In his place it will treat him fair
ly. l declare to you that the democrat
ic party has made up it's mind hat
the white man shall rule, (applause)
and if it succeeds white men shall
make the laws and white men will
administer all the laws On every hand!
Immense applause, and cries of THAT
is 500 I will say to the negroes that
the democratic party does not intend
to take away the negro's right to vote,
but for the protection Of the intelli-
gence and property holders of the
state, it has determined that the ne
gro shall not rule over white men.
wild a%pplause.) Warfare has been
Waged on our helpless and innocent
women. The editor of a negro paper
at Wilmington has insulted and assail-
ed the purity of the white women of
North Carolina. (Shouts. Lynch him."
Lynch him!") The democratic party
iiNS ">N>A II ~ ANA 1">AA t"A -
rage impossible. 1t has gotten SO that
a white woman cannO &c safely alone
through a piece of woods 800 yards in
length. This must stop! (Cries, 1T
will" We'll put a stop to it!") The
situation is this: The white men of
North Carolina, irrespective of party,
are coming together to put a stop to
it. The democratic party has deter
mined to put a stop to in%solence and
| outrages wherever found (Applause.)
We say we will protect our women
with out ballots, but if we can't pro-
tect them from insults and SANDER,
and aggression and lust, we will pro-
tect them with our strong arms. Great
demonstration and c~heering.) 1t has
come to this in North Carolina: If the
fusion party is successful, the whites
and negroes can't live together in
peace. The only way to have peace and
amffy between the races is for the
white men to control their own affairs.
| Oeafening cheers.) The white people
have got to rule or we will have to
leave North Carolina. defiant shouts
We'll never do it" will rule it,