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

Laws that Have Been Enacted I'm Some
Southern States-A Writer Says the
Clash at Wilmington was the lnevf'
table Result of the Political Suprem-
tho NeurO

,.bIe Result of the Political Suprem-
acy Of the Negro |
Editor Brooklyn Eagle:
The racial tragedy enacted last week
at Wilmington, y. c., might mare been
duplicated in any community of the
south or in many other communities
of America for that matter, under the
same condition of negro officIal doml-
nance. The intolerance of the rule Of
an inferior race is a sentiment equally
powerful in Boston, Mass, and viii
mingtOn, n. G.
1t happened hat the quaint little
North Carolina city at the head OF the
Cane Fear had more blacks THAI whites
and the blacks filled the offices. Inc
whites owned the property, VltallZed
the commerce of the community, rep
resented it's progress ana enIIgnIen-
ment and controlled in everything eX-
cent politics. in which they were in a
minority. The situation presented In
an acute phase the old radical problem,
along the old familiar lines.
The collision was inevitable. The
condition has never been long main
tanned under which the Anglo Saxon,
representing the wealth, the culture,
the progress and the OF a
city or state have submitted quiescent-
ly to the rule Of a black race. The
problem that was presented in the con-
ditiOns at Wilmington was not a new
one to the north. In substantially the
same form it has been presented TO
many of it's communities before n
too often perhaps, it's solution has been
wrought out in blood. But it's settle
ment, wherever it has been settled,
and in most parts of the south 1t has
been put at rest for some years at
least. has been along the only lines
possible under the circumstances. The
solution has been white supremacy.
Mississippi and Louisiana have had
their full share of the problem Of the
blacks and the whites. Their large
negro population gave to the political
aspect of the race problem a serious
significance. The two states were a
long time in the thrOes of it's settle
ment. What happened in the way Of
blOOdshed, strife and perhaps the per-
version of the ballot, was due to the
white mans conviction that n~grO rule
must be avoided at any cost. In many
parts of these two states the negroes
were in the majority. Their rule meant
the rule of the ignorant and the vic
iOus, for, although Louisiana and Miss
issippi have presented ore or two eX-
amples of black craftsmanship, the
mass of their negro population is the
most illiterate and the least prepared
for tho RESPONSIBILITIES of Government
The cotton field negro, with his good
nature of his vice, held a power
which constituted a standing menace
to the peace of the communities in
which he was in the majority, for the
supremacy CT the blacks meant moth
ing but continued disorder ard tragedy.
The remedy which was found in
both states was in the regulation of the
franchise laws. 1t was effected
through legal channels and Sc 1red
the purpose of the whites. Practically
an educational qualification was i'm
posed as the voter who was unable to
read his ballot was not permitted I'M
der the law to vote. AS the negro
possessing the educational qualification
necessary was the exception n not
the rule, the whites had no difficulty
in having things their w way. Both
Mississippi and Louisiana have solid
democratic delegations in the present
congress and IS a result of last Tues
days elections will continue to have
them in the next house.
Of course, the race problem is not
finally settled in these waters. 1t still
exists, but the menace of it has been
for the time removed by the operation
of the new election law. This law has
inStigated the rOubleS Springing from
the political clashes Of the two races
to an extent which seems to justify
the enactment of the statute. There has
been less race trouble and it cannot
be dOubted that there has been better
government since the Jaw was passed.
1t is perhaps not too nue. to say that
the relations Of the two races are
more amicable now than at any time
since the blacks were set free and that
the color feeling is less bitter than
it has been at any time during that
period.
In South Carolina 4 modified form
of the Mississippi and Louisiana laws
was enacted. Senator Tillman direct
ed the constitutional convention at
~ IL lldI1CnlSc dllISuIIlItlt WAS
passed. The negOres made a strong
fight against the proposed change. Two
or three of the ablest leaders of the
black race in South Carolina were on
the floor of the convention and pro-
tested that the law practically robbed
he negro Of this franchise. The con-
ventiOn was begged not to make the
change in the constitution. The negro
vote in South Carolina is no longer
the disturbing element that it was.
Notwithstanding Tuesdays tragedy.
The state tina up to a few years ago
sent negro congressman to the national
house of representatives now enjoys
with Louisiana and Mississippi the dis
tinction of a solid democratic delega-
ton in the national congress
Senator Tillman has done nothing
in the way of creating a better under
standing between the races. The eff
feet of his immCderate tongue has had
quite the opposite effect. Always