The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-22

~ IA0S IAio po"CI ID III sCIy Aldus
cases used for Ill. For Example, with
hardly an exception the publication of
Manly in his paper, the Record, re-
fecting on the virtue of the white wo-
men of the south was publicly approx
ed by the entire colored ministry of
this city in a signed document publish
ed in the Record.
Again, some of the e preachers.
being desirious Of seeing their race
conditions improved, use methods
which are exceedingly injudicious, and
which led to discomfort and disorder.
To the preachers must be attributed
an Improvement in the religious and
possibly the moral status of the negro,
but there may also be attributed to
them much of the sorrow that has but
recently fallen upon the race in this
city.
The negro preacher finds an able and
energetic ally in the negro m
She is the fomenter of discord and the
creator of disturbance, and even the
preachers were forced to warn the wo-
men Of their churches to stop their
violent talking and help in the work of
order.
OSTRACISM IN POLITICS.
To sum up, the bosses, white and
black, the preachers, the society officers
and the women all have a hand in con-
trolling the rank and file of negro vot-
ers. 1t is a fact that practical ostra-
cism, and sometimes severing of family
relations. awaits a negro who fails to
vote the regular republican ticket.
AS the fall election of 1898 approach
ed the negroes were assured by their
leaders that a victory for them at the
polls would mean a reversal of posi-
lions and the subjugation of the whites
The negroes seemed beside themselves
with their disorderly conduct, and par
ticuiarly their behavior to the ladies
and children of the city aroused the
whites to a state Of excitement that
was not allayed by the fears of more
fortunate cities which were cognizant
Of the state of affairs at Wilmington.
HOW WHITE MEN ORGANIZED.
A quiet examination was made of
the state Of affairs, and it was decided
that the time had come to bring about
a clearing of the Augean stables. The
business men of the city, with but
three exceptions, commenced the work
of organization. 1t is of special note
that the committee in charge was COM
posed of the most substantial business
and professional men, the combined
wealth of whom would approximate
500, 600, 900.
A subcommittee on protection Or
ganized the home guard. The detail
was as follows: A city block was
taken as a unit. In each block a cap
~ rrvor onpoi~+nI IL rro~ ~
to ascertain the number Of males bear
ing arms in the block, and the defen-
sive weapons possessed by them, also
to require the unarmed to procure
weapons. His report was made to a
division captain, who had charge of
every three blocks, and he in turn re-
ported to a commander in charge of
the voting precinct in which the blocks
lay. The precinct commander then re-
ported to the commander in chief, who
was assisted by a vice commander.
ONLY FIFTEEN WHITES DIS
SENTED.
In this manner the entire city was
organized. The organization was one
of fact. not theory. 1t included every
white citizen of the town, with fifteen
exceptions, ana IOI1leu a COlupac DOuy
of we'll armed, intelligent men, whose
whole aim was the perfection of their
homes. The number of men, who in
the crisis were under arms, reached
three thousand, or more than the en-
tire white vote of the city.
By popular subscription two rapid
fire guns, costing some $1,000
were bought from the Remington COM
pany. The guards were drilled, not
only in their use, but were given a
thorough mastery of small arms, and
an acquaintance with the principles Of
military drill and discipline.
All these precautionary measures
were under the direction of the citi-
zens' committee.
TRIED TO PREVENT A CLASH.
An attempt was made by arrange
ment with the republicans to prevent
any clash between the races. and both
sides made concessions, but this wa"
of little avail. 1t was then decided
that as the interests of the city de-
manded a return of the governmental