Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-29
RACE WARS IN THE SOUTH.
Views of Thomas Nelson Page on
Negro Problem.

washington Post)
OF all those interested in the present
question of racial troubles in the South
there is probably none more capable OF
dealing with the much-disputed problem
than Thomas Nelson Page. In his novel
Red Rock" a precise duplicate Of the
present situation was presented, though
the author believed himself dealing with
ancient history. When seen by a Post in
terviewer, Mr.. Page proved to have as
well-deVeloped and decisive opinions as
perusal Of his reconstruction story would
lead one 10 expect.
People outside of the regions imme-
diately affected, on reading accounts OF
such a revolution as has just occurred In
Wilmington, see only that the members
Of one political party have risen and with
force Of arms have turned out their sue
cessful opponents, and after killing
number Of them, have taken possession OF
their offices. They are likely TO think OF
some polite, respectable, kindly colored
people whom they know, possibly their
servants, or mere acduaintances, or men
Of the ability and character Of Professor
Rocker Washington. Professor Kelly
Miller. and others, and they are filled with
horror at acts of bloodshed and tyranny.
They FIJI the papers with clamors for thu
p 1n M Sf the 'murderers,' or at
least for the prompt dismissal OF the Of
fce-holdcrs. who profit by these high
handed 'outrages.' Where the facts are
unknown. nothing Is more natural, but
nothing IS more fallacious than this view
of the case.
NOT 4 POLITICAL QUESTION.
ct is by no means mere political
question" declared Mr.. Page. warmly.
"The mistake in believing it is leads TO
endless misunderstanding and mischief
For instance a stock argument employed
is that New York city has suffered under
lust as bad a government as Wilmington,
but the minority party has not felt 1t
necessary to rise and kill the leaders OF
the dominant party. There is about as
much resemblance between the TWO as
there IS between a young ladies' semi
nary and the town of Jacmel, where, II
is said the white man has no rights which
a negro need respect. In Wilmington y.
c., il had reached, or was rapidly reach-
ing. lust about this state of affairs. The
real question there was not one oil mere
politics and the holding Of offices. 1t had
come to be a question whether the whites
or people of Anglo-Saxon and other
Caucasian blood. the people who made
North Carolina and have lived in II for
generations and own it to-day, should
abandon their homes and business and
move away, or should assert themselves
and require such conduct on the part OF
certain individuals, and the host OF half |
insane negroes whom they had banded |
together as would make life tolerabe. |
1t is unfortunate for all people concerned |
and for the country, that a question OF |
political party utilization and OF office |
holding is mixed up with the matter, as
it greatly complicates the deeper ana
greater question"
WHITES PAY THE TAXES.
But if the negroes outnumber the
whites. is it not just that theirs should
be the ruling voice?" was the suggestion
next offered.
"In reply." said Mr.. Page, 'ft is only
necessary TO quote the figures recently
printed that the white people of Whining
ion paid IS IL per cent. of the taxes, and
the negroes who controlled the govern
ment paid only 1-2 per cent. This state
ment seems TO have made a strong i'm
preston on the outside public, but 10
hose who have seen the South under car
pet-bag domination and know the true
conditions there. figures present no idea
u the true state Of affairs. To them, the
convincing fact Is that men like Colonel
Waddeli felt il necessary for their saliva
ion TO arm themselves. and in the face
# an apparently lawful government, over
brow that government. even at the cost
II life.
Il know well both Colonel Waddell, who
las been the leader in the Wilmington
evolution, and Is now the Mayor Of tnai
.ity and John D. Bellamy, the congress
from that district John Bel
amy was my classmate at college. and
We sat side by side during our course
here. / have been visitor to his charm
ny home during the last few years, 50
lat I have known him since he was
10Y. Colonel Waddell Is one Of the most
scholarly historians in the South. OF
amily that makes history as well a.
writes il. He is a grandson Of Colole
iugh Waddell, Of the Revolution, who IN
765, at the time OF the stamp act, raised
company Of liberty men. and at ;heii
and stood of the British twenty CUR
sarship Vigilant, and prevented her land
ng the stamps in Wilmington. This was
he first armed resistance offered TO Great
Britain by any OF the Colonies.
INSOLENCE OF THE NEGROES.
"Men familiar with the South recognlz
he fact that Colonel Waddell and such
nen as followed him. some OF them |
knew as well as ANYBODY |.
he terrible consequences OF n resort T. |
rms under any circumstances: they
now that the community receives a |
ans for violence; that values fall, and |
rade dwindles. But these very facts
rove conclusively that when such men !
chose these evils, those