Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-11-19
RATE WAR ts NORTH CAROLINA,
The Action OF the Citizens of Whining
ton Approved by Ministers.

Wilmington, N. c.. Nov. IS AT g
number of the churches in Whining.
ton to day the pastors delivered SER
mons bearing upon the recent race
war, the present conditions and the
outlook for the permanent settlement
of the race problem. Probably the
most notable of these was by Rev
Peyton II Hoge, D. D, OF the First
Presbyterian Church. who took an
active part in comforting with Gov.
Russell before the election to secure
concessions. in the hope Of averting a
race conflict. DR. Hoge's text was
Better is he who ruleth his spirit
than he who taketh q city"
DR.. Hoge declared that the people
of Wilmington have both taken a
city and governed their spirits, hav-
ing redeemed Wilmington civiliza-
ton, law, order, decency, and re-
spectability, that their homes may
remain in peace and their wives and
children be free from insult. The
moderation and self command of the
people were, he said, of more value
than victory. Moderation was dis
played in wise measures for avertlng
Il conflict before the election, also in
conservatism manifested in the mass
meeting the morning after the cleo
zion, when the peopl4 refused to
adopt a resolution demanding that
the city officials resign. MIR. Hoge
said further:
The only act decreed which was
outside the bounds of law was one of
stern necessity to teach an object
lesson for the safety and good name
OF wives and daughters. This was
the destruction of the Daily Record
Office and the Punishment of the
negro editor and slanderer of fair
womanhood, made especially neces>
sary for the protection of the families
of the poorer classes, often living un-
protected side by side with an inferior
race whose passions are undisciplined
Even in this there was to be no
bloodshed or lynch law.
During the deplorable events
which followed the destruction of the
Record Office the people manifested
wonderful self-control, and the few
acts of wantonness were by a few in
dividuals. The first blood was shed
by the negroes, and Yet the white
men almost instantly overcame de
sire for sweeping retaliation and con-
urolled their spirits wonderfully. Citi
zenS on guard advised negroes to go
quietly to their homes and gave as
slstance when necessary. That such
moderation was preserved when gov
ernment was Frustrated and the PEG
pie were supreme, is deserving OF all
praise.
Our chief consideration is not past
but present and future. We must
control our speech, put down violence
and irresponsible action, and main
tain the supremacy OF the city au-
uhorities. We must seek such wise
legislation as will make the recur
renee OF the conditions through which
we have passed impossible Changes,
to be permanent, must be just and
free from partisan eIpediency.
TO overcome the passion and pre-
iudice which the clash of races has
engendered we must seek the friend
ship and confidence Of the negroes.
We have compelled their bad leaders
TO surrender government, and now
we must prove that we are their true
friends. Cody ladies may do much
toward this in their homes Business
.nen may help along the negroes
they employ The defects OF the ne
gro's education must be remedied
There has been TOO much intellectual
and not enough industrial and moral.
Above all, by precept and example
we must teach them the gospel of
Christ, not as q religion OF emotion,
but Of life and conduct"
The other pastors Of the city
preached much along the same line
and their discourses ale commended
on every hand. The city is thoroughly
quiet tonight The military patrol
continues. Negroes seem thoroughly
resigned to new conditions. Wash
ingtoD Post.