The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-01

As Seen by the staff Correspondent OF
the Washington Post
Especial to The Post.)

NSpCClGA4 ~ At CSN-p
Raleigh, N, c, October S.-The cam
paign in this state has reached the hys-
terical stage. The storm center Of the
excitement is al Wilmington, in the cX-
IRENE southeastern section of the state,
in what is known as the black district.
but the region of disturbance touches
all portions of the state. Here at RAJ
leigh its influence is plainly percepti-
ble, in Charlotte and Greensboro it IS
hardly less marked, and even away OF
in Asheville, up in the mountains at
the western end of the state, the trem-
or is in the air. All this is because the
race issue has been raised. The cry is
Down with the negro" Tariff n
silver, the war and the future colonial
policy OF the United states, these and
all other important questions of nation
al interest that are concerning the neo-
pie of the United States are obscured
in North Carolina.
The trouble began when the republi-
can leaders appointed negroes to ot1ce.
They had a right TO do so. because it
was largely to the negroes hat they
owed their own official places, but it
gave the democrats an opportunity that
was not overlooked for reuniting the
white people. Whether by concerted
action or through the spontaneous
spread of a common feeling, the DEM
Ocratic papers of the state suddenly
blossOmed out with warnings Of the
danger of negro domination. Ever
since then their harp has had but this
one string, until NOW not a paper in
49, -+~+~ I.,4 . H.. - H.
to day with frantic outbursts. Eve
the cartoon are made to sound the va
riatiOnS of this theme, the Raleigh
News and Observer, for instance, ap-
pearing this morning with a picture
representing a group of we'll dressed
and handsome girls accepting their
mail with mingled scOrn and fear from
a grinning negro postmaster. The edi-
tOrial olumns discuss no other subject,
While the orators upon the stump find
in this text of negro domination the
subject most provocative of applause.
SENATOR PRITCHARD'S APPEAL
FOR TROOPS.
The climax has been reached in the
appeal of senator Pritchard for troops
to preserve order and insure safety Of
the negro voters at the polls. OF course
the troops will not come. The presi-
dent is quoted as having expressed mis-
Willingness to send them here, and At
torney General Griggs is also said to
have characterized the request as rea-
sonable n prope hut the sold ers
cannot enter the state until Governor
Russell directly appeals for them.
/ have every reason TO believe from
the talk | had today with Governor
Russell that he will not take this cX-
IRENE step. He would not commit Nm
self definitely upon the subject because
circumstances may arise which would
require the presence OF an armed force.
but the people Of North Carolina Ike
the citizens of every state, are extreme
~ sensitive 10 the invasion OF troops,
n the presence Of a regiment Or two
might provoke a bloody struEG 2. IN
the present situation Governor Russell
is the central ligurc, and much us1l de
pend upon the course he Iur5ueS.
There is no doubt hat many OF the
republican leaders are anxious. like
Senator Pritchard. 20 hav the troops
come into the state. but as ths- direct
responsibility Will rail- upon Governor
Russell, he naturally feels that the oc-
casion must be o~verpowering before ~
Will consent to take such dra s3ic actin III