The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-18

~ <ASat1 We S1y ~ 04A eA8 Il - 800
about negro domination in the eastern
part of the state, go down there and
see for yourself. A few republicans
have gone from the Piedmont section
and have come back resolved to vote
the democratic ticket this year. The
average white man in this section
would not submit for h space Of for
ty-eight hours to h insolence and
impudence OF a large percentage OF
Wilmington negroes.
We have just returned from that city
and what we say OF the conditions
there we are prepared TO prove. We
shall not paint any hideous pictures
but try TO tell in a plain. simple man
ner the situation as We saw il and as
Ii impressed Us.
To people who have been taught and
who firmly believe in the supremacy
and control of the Anglo-Saxon
race. the sight-almost the first sight
which greets you on entering the city
of a negro wearing the uniform OF a
policeman is revolving. 1t is impossi-
BILE for a true Anglo-Saxon to view
the spectacle with feelings other h a
of shame and disgust If these negro
officers were competent. efficient and
faithful. or even decent and respect
fut. ii would be borne with more forti-
tude. But they wear the insignia or
their office with a proud air. n their
general behavior on the streets seem to
say: Don't monkey with me cause
Is a p'liceman.' 1t matters not how
much cursing. swearing, obscene AMI
vulgar language is INDUCED in in their
hearing. We heard language on the
streets of Wilmington Saturday night
in the hearing of a negro officer, that
even a private citizen would not listen
to in Greensboro. Yet we did not see
an arrest made,
In walking the streets you have to
be careful that you do not get in the
way of the important colored charac-
ters who the streets. We saw
white people jostled off the sidewalks
into the streets to avoid a collision
with negroes. White ladies no longer
go out at night. and white men choose
rather to submit to much and keep out
of the way rather than to clash with
the negroes which would undoubtedly
bring on a riot.
This is not to be construed as mean
ing that the white men are cowed. Not
a bit Of it. 1t requires more bravery
to pursue the course they have adopt
ed than to smash some impudent
sc~Oundrel's mouth and thus precipi-
tate a riot in which women. children
and their homes would be the greatest
sufferers. The negroes are mad. thor
oughly mad. They have made BOAST
that if they cannot get all the guns
they want. hat matches and kerosene
oil are cheap. What do you think OF
that?
We walked out Front street on Sun
day night with a friend and had not
proceeded far when we met three ne
gro men. 1t was getting dark and we
were neal some large shade trees.
They came trampling heavily along the
middle of the sidewalk and showed no
disposition to give wen passing room.
When near us, as we stepped a little
aside in order to pass without a collis-
ion, one of them, who seemed to be in
an ugly humor, said: Hold, on, 1
want to see what kind O damn white
folk desc is" We didn't stop or pay
any attention to the attempted insult
ing hold-up, but passed quietly on.
This is only a tame instance, but it
shows something of what Wilmington
ians, in their anxiety for the safety
of their homes, their wives and chill
dren. are forced to endure. Ladies no
longer go even a short distance to their
churches without an escort. The sit
uation, truly and honestly, is alarm
ing.
And what caused this unhappy and
desperate state of affairs? The first
step was taken when Russell, the kus-
ser, who disgraceS the chair once oc-
cupied by Vance, turned the city Of
Wilmington over to the republicans
and negroes. On seeing negro magis-
trates by the dozen throughout the
county, negroes wearing blu coats
with brass buttons and swinging a
policeman's club, and other offices
of Importance plentifully distributed
among negroes, a large per cent. OF
that race began to feel that they were
superior to the white people, and in
their ignorance n prejudice grew
insulting and bigoted. The browning
blow came when the negro editor Man
ly published hat editorial slandering
the white women Of the state. The
mistake the white people made was
when Manly was allowed to go un-
hung.
Negro domination has been demon
strated to be unwhOlesome and lam
gerOus, not only from the acts of the
incompetent men themselves, but on
account of the influence of such office
holders upon the ignorant masses Of
the colored race. The best. surest and
safest remedy for the evil is for Whit
men to get solidly together and turn
the government over again into the
hands of competent white people.
Democratic control has been proven
to be best for both races, and the peo-
pie should vote for a return of the gov
eminent that alone can bring peace
happiness and prosperity.