The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-12-07
Negro Domination Means the
White Mans Abasement.
SENATOR JOHN McLAURIN
Discusses the Troubles in the
South and VIvidly Presents
the Situation as He
Sees X,
Sees II.

pewer of any issue or movement predl-
Gated or race or religious prejudices.
Fortunately, in this country we have
been spared those terrible struggles
brought on in other parts Of the world
by religious prejudiceS. But We are
not so fortunate on the race issue, for
the condition of our country, partlcu-
lsrly in the South. with its great Negro
sspulatien placed alongside the white
population, makes race differences IN
evitable.
The people of the North, far removed
from the centres of large Negro popu-
lation, are able to view this race issue
from purely sentimental standpoint.
It is to them simply question OF hne ht.ne
phrases, Of declarations on the equality
Of all men under the law. But to the
people of the South the question OF race
is not mere matter Of sentiment. 1t IS
a subject which enters into the very
life and existence Of our people. We
see it before us every day; 1t Is present
ed to US. not for argument and acade-
mic discussion, but for immediate rrac-
tical solution.
While academicians at remote points,
secure in their own homes, secure IN
their property, secure in all those ele-
mentary rights which accompany AngI 10.
Saxon civilization, can theorize, we OF
the South are compelled to face an act
aal condition. As an eminent public
man said of another vital issue in Am
erican affairs, it is not theory but a
condition which confronts US. | sug.
gest this because it seems natura! and
unavoidable that the States OF the
South, which are face to face with this
terrible race conflict, must themselves
meet it and solve IL, and that the theo.
retical views of those standing afar on
should not be cast against those who
are struggling with problem involving
their very self-e1istence.
The race issue has been brought
prominently to the front within recent
days by conditions in North and South
Carolina. In Nerth Carolina the issue
has grown out of the peculiar condl-
tions in that State, where Negro dom
ination has been brought about by a
peculiar combination Of political causes.
For the last tive years there has been
complete Negro domination throughout
that State, aside from the deeper ques-
ton as to domination by those lacking
in education, in property and IN all
that goes to make men representative
Of the general social welfare, the whites
were subjected to all manner OF insults
and Official oppression. | have no
doubt the trouble in South Carolina
was direct result of the Negro domlna-
tion il North Carolina, as we OF South
Carolina have fortunately been rid OF
Negro domination for many years. But
our people are closely allied by blood
and business with the people OF North
Carolina, and it is but natural that they
should have felt deep sympathy when
the white men of North Carolina deter
mined to throw of the evil Of black
rule.
From my personal experience while
attorney general of South Carolina l
sained an insight into the real meaning
ofNegro rule. The people Of the North
have no idea Of what this means as
judgedbyactual experience. lnthe State
of South Carolina we had eight years OF
Negro carpet bag government, during
which the white men Of the State, rep
resenting its intelligence, its education
and its property, were sent to the rear,
wkile the legislative halls OF the State
vere in the possession Of body OF Ne
gro Legislators. .
What this body did is matter OF
history with US, although DO not be-
lieve the people Of the North appreciate
the excesses which that Negro leglsla-
tuse and Negro government committed
By The forced issue Of bonds the debt
of the State was increased during this
period of Negro rule from So, 5000, ,0Oo
to s12, 100000 One year the corrupt
Negro and carpet bag officials Of the
State net in back room Of a bank and
actually divided up among themselves
all the money collected by taxation. 1t
WIS simply matter of personal olstrl-
button Of public money among them.
AS attorney general following the
period of Negro rule l had to defend a
suit that exposed one phase Of this Ne,
gro rule. The black legislature had
passed an act to issue sl,5OO,OO0 OF
scrip, known as Blue Ridge scrip, to
build railroad. That scrip the Negro
and carpet bag officials actually issued
three times over, and the triple issues
were disposed of in various money mar
kets. For acts like these many OF the
Negro officials were afterward prosecut-
ed, convicted and sent to the penlten-
tiary. But even in this there was little
Justice, as pardons by the Negro-made
governor were as much commercial
commodity as cotton or wheat.
It was such experiences as this
that warned the people Of North
Carolina what was likely to follow II
the baneful influence Of Negro DONNA
tion became firmly fixed upon their
State. Already it had secured partial
control of the State, and the most pop
ulous communities, the seats OF educa-
ton, wealth and business, were com
nletely under the mastery OF Negroes
who had little or no participation or
even indirect interest il the business,
trade, property or substantial condl-
tions Of these places.
This is not mere assertion, but it IS a
fact readily established by SPECIFIC IN
stances which can be cited, and l think
it is no more than simple justice to the
people Of the Carollnas 53aI 5nelr
brothers Of the North should look at
these facts and consider what tney
would de under similar circumstances.
Take, for instance, the city OF 0reen-
vile, n, c., where the taxable proper
ty is s750,000. The Board OF Alder
men levies the taxes and orders the ex-
~ 90 ~ Naprn lNar-