The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-12-01
GOOD ADVICE TO HIS RACE.

ty, has written q well-umeO letter 10 |
the News and Observer, in which he
gives good advice to his race. He
quotes the Federal and State Consti-
tutions on the question OF disfranchise-
ment and concludes his letter as fol- |
lows.
"You must see from the foregoing
that the color of your skin can never
become legal barrier to the exercise
OF the right OF franchise. The consti-
tuition of North Carolina, Article 6,
Section 5, thus defines what classes of
persons are ineligible to Offices in the
State:
"First. All persons who shall deny
the being of Almighty God. Second.
All persons who shall have been con-
yicted of treason, perjury, or of any
other Infamous crime Xxx Il
unless such person shall have been
legally restored to the rights of citizen
ship.
1--WE find embodied in the funda-
mental laws of our State and nation all
the provisions and safeguards known
to free government. Yet we must
confess that the execution of all laws,
however just and equitable, can be
guaranteed only by the existence OF
righteous, wholesome and vigorous
public sentiment, and it is true, beyond
question, that All governments deriye
their right from the consent of the
governed Without doubt, the field
Of expedients will be swept by the next
Legislature in order to counteract the
influence, or obstruct the exercise of
franchise by the ignorant colored ele-
ment OF the population, which fran
chise is held to be dangerous to our
free institutions. Whether it will be
an educational, or properly qualifica-
ton, no one knows at present. The
constitution of Mississippi provides
that an elector must he able to read
and write, and must have paid all taxes
legally required of him. An exception
is made for those who cannot read, that
they must be able to understand the
constitution when explained to them
or give a reasonable Interpretation
thereof By this provision it was easy
to eliminate the ignorant vote and the
United States Supreme Court, In a re-
cent decision, held it to be constitu-
tiona1, since 1t Disseminated against
no particular class In rendering its
decision, the Court said concerning our
race, "A patient, docile people; but
careless, landless, migratory within
narrow limits; without forethought-
the convention (of Mississippi discrim-
mates against its characteristics and
the offenses to which its criminal men,
bers are prone. They reach weak and
vicious white men as we'll as weak and
vicious black men; and whatever is
sinister in their intention, if anything,
can be prevented by both races by the
exertion Of that duty which voluntary
" pays taxes and refrains from crime.
"Hence, we see that the highest court
of our land holds that we are careless,
landless, and unnecessarily migratory.
We must be able to feel the force oil
this significant declaration. Since it il
claimed that legislation is aimed at our
moral, industrial and intellectual unfit
ness, the remedy is not far TO seek. 1t
is not with the Office seeker, the pro.
fessional politician nor with those who
claim the inherent right to govern. 1t
is with you and with me. Every home
must become a school of industry and
economy with positive and rigid code
of morals. There must be a general
shaking-up of our educational syetem
now too badly hampered by prejudice
and sectarian bias. Our ministry must
be strengthened and encouraged; ou1
churches purified and our whole re.
ligious life put upon higher plane
We must follow divine guidance rather
than the mandates of self-seekers and
place-hunters. Keep in sight of the
pillar Of cloud by day and the pillar Of
fire by night and however numerou.
and respondent the chariots of the
pursuer, the rich heritage, whatever i,
is, will finally be reached. Be indus
trious, honest, patient and respectful
and you have nothing to fear. What
eyer party has temporary charge of the
raigns of government, seed time and
harvest will remain the same,'I and
labor will bring Its reward. shall PC
to the Senate. not as a politician, but
as aChristian citizen. I shall demand
nothing but gently and earnestly plead
for continuance of the sympathetic
and friendly relations which haye beer
the proud boast of us all and which
have given North Carolina an exalted
place In the g19t sisterhood of States