The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-11-17
THE WILMINGTON REVOLUTION

The first race riot that ever, occurred
in North Carolina eliminated in Will
mington Nov 10Th.
On Wednesday, the day following
the election, the white citizens Of the
city held meeting, and passed resolu-
lions that the negro Manly, who wrote
and published in the Record the we'll
known slauderous article against the
white women of the State, should leave
the city and his paper should be sup
pressed.
The resolutions were submitted to
the colored people and an answer de-
manded by o'clock the next morning.
The colored people considered the
| resolutions and in meeting made
reasonable and pacifylng reply.
They committed their reply to one ne
gro lawyer named Scott, with instruct
ions to deliver it to Col. A. NJ. Waddell,
instanter. Instead of doing so Scott
mailed the reply to Col. Waddell, and
1t did not reach him by the hour de-
sigma ted.
So at 8 80 o'clock Thursday morn
| ing 400 men filed into line and march
ed to the Record office, entered it and
demolished it and accidental fired the
building.
This ended the obnoxious newspaper
whose vile print had shocked every de-
cent white man and woman in North
Carolina who had read it or heard it,,
and almost all had heard it.
| Returning from the mission Of de-
mollshing the paper, the white men
were fired upon by negro from group
which was ordered to disperse.
| This was the signal for real conflict
and it swiftly followed. Negroes shot
at white people and wounded three,
one man being shot on his porch.
Two negroes were Instantly killed, and
others in the riot until six were killed
and a dozen or more wounded.
This outburst, when it partially sub
ided, was followed by complete
change of city government in day.
The republican Mayor resigned and
Col. A. NJ. Waddell was elected in. his
stead. Then the city officers resigned
one at time and each place was filled
by a Democrat. This was continued
until there was change IL the entire
city government. Those in Office saw
that the forbearance of the white pee
pie was at and end ; and so they gave
up their places to more competent
men.
Meanwhile troops from Maxton, Kin.
ston, Clinton and other places had
been ordered by the Governor to repair
to Wilmington to help preserve the
peace. Special policemen were APP
pointed in large numbers and vigorous
efforts were made to restore order and
quiet.
Mayor Waddell Immediately after
his election set about bringing order
out of chaos and so we'll has he sue.
ceeded that in the place where terror
reigned week ago everything is order
ly and men are going to and fro at
their business as though nothing had
happened.
| Several men, white and colored
were taken to the train and told to
leave the city never to return. Among
the number who left was the negro
Manly, editor of the Record. The ref
ugees from the rlotous scenes which
they brought about have gone to Wash
ington. New York and other places
North pouring tale of woe and set
ting up the cry Of persecution but
Ethey no more trouble North Carolina
with their presence.
The whole thing Is a wonderful trans.
formation from riot and misrule to Or
der and good government in day.
And wisely did the Wilmington peo-
pie wait until after the election to
right the wrongs which they had been
suffering and throw off the yoke which
Russell had put upon them.
i. And after all, had the colored man
Scott delivered the letter committed
to him directly to Col. WaddeIl in per
son, as he was requested to do, the
bloodshed would have been averted.