Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-12-03
SOUTHERN RACE ISSUE.
Why Whites Will Not TOle-
rate Negro Domination.
FACTS FORCEFULLY PRESENTED
Designing White Men the Cause Of
ALI Trouble-How Matters Used
to Be Managed in South
Carolina.
Senator McLaurin In New York Herald.

Senator McLaurin In New York Herald.
1t is difficult and we'll nigh impos-
sible for anyone to gauge the depth
and power of any issue or movement
on race or religious prejudices. For
tunately, in this country we have been
spared those terrible struggles brought
on In other parts of the world by reli.
gious prejudices. But we are not 80
fortunate on the race issue, for the
condition of our country, particularly
in the south, with its great Negro pop
ulation placed alongside the white pop
ulation, makes race differences inevita-
BILE.
The people of the north, far removed
from the centres of large Negro popu-
lation, are able to view this race issue
from purely sentimental standpoint.
1t is to them simply a question of fine
phrases, of declarations of the equali-
ty of all men under the law. But to
the people of the south the question of
race is not mere matter of sentiment.
It is subject which enters into the
very life and existence of our people.
We see it before US every day; It is
presented to US, not for argument and
academic discussion, but for immediate
practical solution.
While academicians at remote points,
secure in their own homes, secure In
their property, secure In all those ele.
mentary rights which accompany
Anglo.Saxo civilization, can theorize,
we of the south are compelled to face
an actual condition. As an eminent
public man said of another vital issue
in American affairs, it is not q theory
but condition which confronts US. I
suggest this because it seems natural
and unavoidable that the states of the
south, which are face to face with this
terrible race conflict, must themselves
meet it and solve it, and that the theo-
retical views of those standing afar off
should not be cast against those who
are struggling with problem involv-
ing their very self-existence.
NORTH CARoLINA's EXPERIENCE.
The race issue has been brought
prominently to the front within recent
days by conditions in North and South
Carolina. In North Carolina the issue
has grown out of the peculiar condi-
tions existing in that state, where
Negro domination has been brought
about by a peculiar combination Of
political causes. For the last two
years there has been complete Negro
domination throughout that state, and,
aside from the deeper questions as to
domination by those lacking in educa-
ton, in property and in all that goes
to make men representative OF the
general social welfares, the whites were
subjected to all manner of insults and
official oppression. I have no doubt
that the trouble in South Carolina was
direct result of the Negro domination
in North Carolina, as we of South
Carolina have fortunately been rid OF
Negro domination for many years.
But our people are closely allied by
blood and business with the people of
North Carolina, and it is but natural
that they should have felt deep sym
pathy when the white men of North
Carolina determined to throw off the
evil of black rule.
SOUTH CAROLINA IN CARPET BAG"
TIMES.
From my personal experience while
attorney general of South Carolina,
gained an insight into the real meaning
| of Negro rule. The people of the
north have no idea of what this means
as Judged by actual experience. In
the state of South Carolina we had
eight years of Negro carpet bag gov
ernment, during which the white men
of the state, representing its intelli-
gence, its education and its property,
were sent to the rear, while the legis-
lative halls of the state were in the
possession of body of Negro legis-
lators.
What this body did is matter of
history with US, although do not
believe the people of the north appre-
ciate the excesses which that Negro
legislature and Negro government
committed. By the forced issue Of
bonds the debt of the state was in
creased during this period of Negro
rule from $3,O0O,O0O to $21, 900, 900.
One year the corrupt Negro and carpet
bag officials of the state met in back
room of bank and actually divided
up among themselves all the money
collected by taxation. 1t was simply
matter of personal distribution of
public money among them.
AS attorney general following the
period of Negro rule, had to defend a
suit that exposed one phase of this
Negro rule. The black legislature had
passed an act to issue $1,500,0O0 of
scrip, known as Blue Ridge scrip, to
build railroad. That scrip the Ne
gro and carpet bag officials actually
issued three times over, and the tri-
pie issues were disposed of in various
money markets. For acts like these
many of tbe Negro officials were after
ward prosecuted, convicted and sent to
the penitentiary. But even in this
there was little justice, as pardons by
the Negro.made governor were as
much q commercial commodity as cot
ton or wheat.
| TAXPAYERS oVERRIDDEN.
1t was such experiences as this that
warned the people of North Carolina