The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-27
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE"

CX-State Senator a. G.. Sigmon, editor
of the Hickory Press, defines his views
upon political matters as taught by the
late election. He declares that the ne
groes belong TO IAN inferior race, ought
to be entitled to voice in the selection
Of those who are to administer the
affairs of our government" but he adds.
I'VE are opposed now and always have
been opposed to their being given offices
Of trust and authority over the superior
white race" He thinks the negroes
SHOULD feel sufficiently grateful for
the advantages they possess and the
can ticket in all elections without at
tempting to abuse that privilege and
render themselves obnoxious by trying
to force themselves into positions which
the white people will never be satisfied
to see filled by any but white men,"
Mr.. Sigmon goes on to criticise the
.'designing white politicians" for zen
couraging the negroes to expect share
of the Offices" He says 1.-THE ruinous
policy which our party has too frequent
ly pursued of pushing negroes forward
for office, allowing them to be the promi-
nent in, and often even to preside over
our conventions has hurt the Republi-
can party. and made its banner trail
in the dust in our State and giving
Legislature (which will doubtless make
such change in our election laws as
will virtually disfranchise Il large ele-
ment of our voters and thereby deprive
the negroes of the right to vote" After
advising the negroes not to aspire ITO
positions which they are not qualified to
fill, and which, by their being an in
ferior race, they should not be induced
to expect Mr.. Sigmon concludes his
article thus:
''rThis is but the beginning of an ag-
gressiye policy which the Press has re-
solved to pursue, and hopes to receive
the endorsement and patronage of all
Republicans and also of our Popullst
friends who have learned from observa
ton and experience that the Republl
can party is honest and sincere in It's
purposes
To ascertain what the Populists think
of this aggressive policy this editorial
was shown to Populist office-holder,
and he said: '"This is too blankety-
BANKED late. The Republicans have
killed our party by forcing us to affiliate
with negroes, and we have learned from
bitter experience that the Republican
party in North Carolina is nothing but
an aggregated gang of pie-eaters and ne
groes, and that the 100000 negroes alb
solutely control the $4,000 whites. | am
Disguised with the pretcnce that the Re
publican party is honest and sincere in
its purposes
What do the negroes think Of this "ag-
gressive policy" One, who has figured
prominently. after reading it, said: The
negroes prefer to he DISTINGUISHED as
they are in South Carolina and Mssis-
sippi than to be allowed to vote TO put
none but white Republicans in office
and to be told by them whenever they
aspire TO an office they can ill better
than the white Republicans You are
good enough to vote for us. but not good
enough for us to vote for or to hold office
Between the two evils being allowed to
vote and being disqualified for Office,
and being DISTINGUISHED from voting and
and ce-holding. we prefer the latter.
1t leaves us free to educate and work
without the bad feeling that politics
brings. We do not care to be burning
our fingers TO pull the chestnut out of
the fire for renegade white men who will
not vote for us. and who run like cow
ards when we are attacked for doing
what they advise"
If the opinion of this POpulist. and
this negro expresses the opinion of the
Populists and negroes, Senator Sigmon's
aggressive policy" will meet a cold and
bliOhtiuU frost