The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-13
LEAK ADVISES NEGROES
ILLITERATE VOTERS OUGHT TO
BE DISTINGUISHED.
IS IN FAVOR OF THE i'm CROW" CAR
The Parson avs Russ-l and His Administrator
are Responsible for The Race roub'e
in wilmington imnc'pa
tim Lay Row


Rev. r.. II. w. Leak, colored, presid-
ing elder of the Raleigh district, made
quite a sensational speech last night ut
st. Paul A NJ. L. church, in this city
Referring to the Wilmington trouble,
the preacher said Governor Russell and
the present administration were the
cause of it, and responsible for it.
Touching more directly upon the po-
litical situation. Rev. Leak advised very
earnestly that every self-respeeting ne
gro ally himself with the best white peo-
Pile of the State-for protection and
safety.
1.-THE editor of the News and Observer
is regarded by many negroes as their
worst enemy. | regard him as one of
their very best friends. That paper,
during the campaign, made the fight on
the color line. 1t was forced to it by ex-
listing conditions. 1t was necessary to
protect the negro from himself and
from his white leader.
Had my advice in 1896 been taken,
the negroes that now lie in silent, neg
lected graves would be living, and those
that are outcasts and fugitives would
be at their own firesdes and among
their own people.
."Those that have been writing on the
race question since the election have
advised the negro to stay out of politics.
Ny advice to him is to stay i'll politics.
but ally himself with the best element
of his white citizens instead of with the
worst as he has too often done. That
is his salvation.
There is now great deal of talk
about DISTINGUISHING the negro. All I've
got to say about that is that it would
be well for everybody if large num-
Der of the iliterate voters of the State
were disfranehised'
Discussing Jim Grow cars. Rev. Leak
humorously remarked thai he couldn't
blame the white Democrats for not want
ing to ride with negroes, since their re-
cent Russell performance.
You can't blame them yourselves.
when Russell called you 'savages' and
said all manner of mean th!ngs about
you and then you 20 and elect him as
your Governor. Aud then again please
remember this: IL you get Jim Crow cars
you'll get them under the control OF
Railroad Commission appointed by Rus
sell. He's your man and You mustn't
heaye at his medicine.
AS Tor me i prefer SepdIdtt tdiSf
if the accommodations are equal, as the
News and Observer says they ought
to be. If the accommodations are equal
the negro can't kick at being put with
his own race"
In concluding his speech Rev. Leak re-
ferred to the two factions that have
sprung up among the colored people over
the celebration Of Emancipation Day in
Raleigh
I'm that division of our people there is
great danger. | advise the negroes of
Raleigh to be careful with whom they
ally themselves and what they say. 1t
may mean much to them"
The speaker then related the facts in
regard to yesterday afternoons confer
ence. and told how. on account of Jim
Yonng's interference, it had come to
naught.
1T has been charged by Young
crowd that the other faction is composed
of Democrats. ] want TO say this, it is
composed Of those who have always
stood for the colored man and what they
conceived to be his best interests, and
they propose to hold their celebration
and carry out their programme in Metro
politan Hall, at whatever cost.
Furthermore, Il think, as Colonel
Young is in the army, he ought to attend
TO Uncle Sans business and not be
running here interfering with our af-
fairs"