Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-28
CORRESPONDENCE WITH GOVERNOR,
~ Wilmington Ask
him to Make Political Sacrifice I'm
"'"er 10 Prevent Riot and Blood
shed In That City-His RepIy.

scribes the fight as a desperate one.
The situation in North Carolina seems
to grow more dangerous every day. The
following correspondence between a mum.
Der of Wilmington businessmen and
Governor Russell is made public to-day
for the first time, and explains how Sc
rious the outlook IS:
Wilmington, ~ c., October a. 1898
Hon. ID. l.. Russell, Raleigh n. c.:
| Dear Sir,-We have been deeply con-
| cerned during the past week by the very
excited state OF our inhabitants, in view
OF the approaching election, which threat
ems TO provoke war between the white
and black races.
1--WE have frequently observed during
| political campaigns in the past n degree
! OF hostility which at times appeared TO
! threaten the public peace but which
| passed off when wiser counsel prevailed
] but the present state of excitement is
/ apparently and really beyond bounds.
and we declare to you our conviction that
we are on the brink Of revolution, which
! can only be averted by the suppression
/ of the Republican ticket.
DRIVEN TO DESPERATION.
THE white people and Taxpayers gen.
orally protest that they have been driven
to desperation, and we have no hesitation
in saying that even the usual indiscretion
OF political partisans on the next election
dsy will precipitate a conflict which may
cost hundreds, and perhaps thousands,
of lives and the partial or entire de-
struction Of the city
1--WE, therefore, on behalf of tie con-
servative business firms in Wilmington,
deeply interested in the peace and wei
fare of our community, entreat you, as
the representative of the Republican par
tY here, to meet the emergency, and avert
a calamity by the means which we have
indicated or by some other personal or
political sacrifice, which would be CRATE
fully recognized and approved by our
conservative and patriotic people, who
look to you in this extremity.
Respectfully
(Signed)
ALEXANDER sPRUNT & SON,
JOHN WILDER ATKINSON,
-. 5. SLOAN,
CIVILIAN GILCHRIST,
"CORBETT q GORE"
RUSSELLS REPLY.
Governor Russelrs reply was as fol-
lows:
"Gentlemen.-Th substance Of your let
ter is that the Republican ticket of New
Hanover county must be suppressed-that
is. that the Republican voters Of that |
county shall not vote the ticket OF their !
party; that if they do so, there will be |
revolution and conflict, which may cost !
hundreds. and perhaps thousands, Of
lives and the partial or utter destruction |
Of the city.
"NVho constitute who are the men. on |
this Republican ticket? The Republican |
convention Of New Hanover county has !
not nominated a ticket According to my |
information. the Republicans propose to |
nominate a ticket that will be composed. |
with one exception. Of white men. That |
exception is the Register of Deeds, a |
colOred man. who has held that Office for /
two years; who, j am informed and be- |
lieve. is competent, and has made a rea-
sonably good officer. and as to whom /
have heard no complaint as to his official
conduct The Republicans propose. as |
am informed 70 vote for the following
members Of the Legislature: For the
Senate, b. T. Keith; for the House, d.
J.. Gore and II. Il. Davis.
REPUBLICAN NOMINEES.
"Now, who are these men? Mr. Keith
is a reputable merchant of your city. He
was voted for by perhaps 90 per cent.
of the Democrats of your county in the
last election, and as an elector on the
the people of North Carolina by q ma
iority Of some 2O.GOJ.
Captain r. Il, Davis has been for many
years a leading man in North Carolina
He has been one Of the leaders Of the
Democratic party i'm the State He has
been elected by their votes, and has
served as one OF their most important
men i'm the State Legislature. He is q
gentleman of education and culture, and
am orator of distinction. He was also
an elector for the State-at-large in the
last presidential election, and was elected
by the whole people of the State by some
900 majority.
"Mr. ID. l.. Gore is a man of large
property and Of extensive business con-
nection As l understand it, he has
generally acted politically with the
Democratic party until the election OF
1896, when he voted for Mckinley.
"All OF these men are North Caro-
inians. as well connected as capable,
ana as closely associated with the bust
ness. social, and material interests OF the
state as any three men who could be
found in your community.
REPUBLICAN CONCESSION.
81 am Informed that the Republicans
IF New Hanover are willing TO adopt
such a ticket for County Commissioners
rs will give the highest assurance of
protection of property rights and of hon
'st and economical county administra-
ion.
you say the Republican ticket must
DE- suppressed. DO you mean to sup
,ress the Republican ticket. which will
De not only to deny TO the residents of |
New Hanover the privilege of exercising
heir constitutional right to vote for
members Of the Legislature and county
Ulcers, and also would deny them their !
light to vote for members Of Congress
md judges. and such State officers as
re TO be voted for in this election?
They would thus be deprived. not only ,
# their rights under the State Constitu-
ion, but those secured to them under the
'nited States Constitution as well.
every truly yours.
(SigncD ID. l.. RUSSELL,