The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-01
STATE WIDE.
Organization of the Whites
Against the Blacks
Who Are in the Majority in
North Carolina,
is STILL GOING ON.
Wilmington the Storm Center
Every White Armed.
All Thought of Parties Forgot
ten i'm the Conflict.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Are Sent Out of the City by the
Whites
Who Say They VIII Not BE
Ruled by Blacks.
Wilmington the Storm Center
Every White Armed.
All Thought of Parties Forgot
ten i'm the Conflict.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Are Sent Out of the City by the
Whites
Who Say They VIII Not BE
Ruled by Blacks.

Wilmington, N. C., Nov. 1.-The stu
alton as it exists here is critical A
crisis is approaching. Each day the re-
Iations between the races have become
more strained. What was up to week
or two ago a political fight between the
Democrats on one side and the Repup-
licans and Populists on the other mas
changed into a contest between
whites and blacks for the control OF the
city of Wilmington and the county OF
New Hanover. The business men have
banded together and taken the matter
into their own hands and are running
the campaign.
They are seeking the election Of the
Democratic candidates for the 1eg1s-
lature and for the county Omces-
One hears nothing of gold or silver,
and there is no issue now but the ques-
tion of which race shall rule. Gold
Democrats, Silver. Democrats, some OF
the leading Republicans who are not
office holders and a few POpuhsts are
in the business mems movement. Men
like Y. NJ. Emerson, traffic manager or
the Atlantic Coast line, who have never
taken active part in politics, are CIV
ing nearly their entire time to the cam
paign.
Merchants, manufacturers and bank
ers have given freely of their money to
carry on the fight. The same condl-
tions exist throughout nearly all OF
eastern North Carolina where the
negroes are in the majority. Yesterday
6 600 white men of all parties met IN
GOldsboro and declared that their race
should rule. There are about 1000 col
ored officers. including policemen, cor
Oners, aldermen, magistrates, pOstmas-
ters and registrars of deeds, in this and
neighbOring counties. There are forty
colored ma gistrates in Wilmington. Mr..
Emerson made this statement today:
Holders of 95 per cent of the property
in Wilmington have determined that
vx7i71 Of z71Ta fO TrJ11R
can not afford to do so longer. Our
wives and daughters are being openly
insulted, and the city is being ruined
The negroes Outnum Der US, but L am
frank to say they will not win in the
coming election. The white men have
decided to take charge of the affairs of
the city. We will do so peaceably if
we can, but forcibly if we must. This
IS the sentiment of the white cOmmuni-
ty. We are all heavily armed, and are
prepared for trouble if it must come.
It is our wish, we hope to avoid blood
shed, but the loss of this battle would
mean the ruin of Wilmington. For one
I would not remain here"
Postmaster W. H Chadborn, a Re
publican, sees the danger ahead. He
said today: There is a greater feeling
of unrest and uncertainty about the
maintenance of order than I have ever
seen, and many, even the most conServa-
tive. feel that a race conflict is i'm
minent, and rather than ha Ve riot, arson
and bloOdshed prevail here l. Republi-
can though I am, advise giving up the
local offices in this county. had
thought at first that it was merely the
usual political outcry, but now I am
convinced the feeling is much deeper
than this, as it perVades the whole
community"
Mr.. Chadborn had advised Senator
Pritchard to this effect, but the senator
has not consented to give up the fight.
Wilmington may be described as a
walking arsenal. Nearly every white
man goes heavily armed, and there is.
perhaps, no home but what contains
rife. The city is thoroughly organized
for trouble, as each block has its lieu
tenant, and there is a captain for each
six blocks. All the plans have been
mapped out and the place of rendezvous
chosen in case of riot or disorder. Ma
ny ladies and children have been sent
away. The colOred people are very de-
termined not to yield. They hold meet
angS nightly. Preachers and women are
among the leaders.
The women have their Republican aid
societies. The majority of negroes are
really in favor of yielding to the whites
but their leaders have whipped them in
to line, and the black man who would go
pack on his race would be in danger of
Delng ynched. Many negroes have
come over from South Carolina which
ADDS to the gravity of the situation. The
TeaTIul condition of things here is the
result OF legislation by the fusion legis-
lature- WllmingtOn'S charter wa &
amended, giving the governor the now
er to appoint half of the aldermen The
governor named coIOred men, and thew
controlled the board. At the same time
the old law, that provided for the an
pointment of magistrates and other
county officers, was changed, and thew
were made elective by the people Two
years ago the negroes elected more OF
these officials.
Governor Russell has made a PROPOSE
tiOn to a committee of citizens to not
place a Republican ticket for county Of
f1cers in the field if Democrats will with
draw their legislative candidates and
make new nominations. This is being
about the colored people agreeing to the
plan, as they would have to surrender
many offices The white citizens took
tnelf eating gun down the river today
and practiced with it.
Declares a Dividend.
PhiladeIphia. Nov. Tho hoard of