The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-13

sionary, and let them feel that their la
bors are for their own race, and | thinl
that the negro problem is solved.
Also let them have charge of their owT
Institutions of learning here, by placing
only those of their people who are thor
oughly competent over the same. There
can be no objection to this, although the
| white man may pay part, and it may
| be a greater part OF the tax which sup
ports this institution, but leave the leg
EislatiOn and the general management OF
the affairs OF North Carolina, to tht
Caucasian race.
Why. from Il political standpoint, do
say it is to the advantage Of the negro t.
leave the affairs OF North Carolina tC
| the whites? Because as soon as it be
comes a fact which will be known anC
read Of all men, that the negro is IL
authority in North Carolina, then the
white men who have come out OF the
| Democratic ranks, who now constitute
the Populist party, will flee every moth
er's son Of them back 10 the Democratic
| camp
And now Mr.. Chairman, in view OF
| the fact that other political parties, ma
| tionally, are fully III line with us on
the greatest issue now before the Ameri-
can people, let us see to it that we dc
everything in our power to reach the de
sired haven; and it seems to me that
the necessity for the continuance of the
POpuliSt party. is to see that these
carry out in good faith the declarations
made by them in convention assembled
or in case they do not, so conduct our
selves as n party that we will have no
trouble to induce their members to walk
boldly into our ranks, and while we may
have forced this question upon the other
political parties who now agree that We
are right, let us hear and fOrbear with
them. because, there as SO many of us
at least. other questions of vital import
ance that must be settled in North Caro-
lima. These issues are upon us. and
they must be met by us if we would hold
our men in line, or build up our party
from the ranks of our political enemies
in name only; the main issue before us
now in North Carolina, and not as yet
fully agreed upon, is, who shall manage
the affairs OF our own beloved Common
wealth.
Just here allow me to say that | give
all honor to that noble band Of forty
DCu OibuiIstS, VINO SIOthI SOutuN aS
stone wall in the last General Assembly
of North Carolina, against some of the
vicious legislation that was attempted
to be thrust upon the cities of Eastern
Carolina, CaS well as some OF the West
ernJ, hut for these the management or
the cities referred to, would have been
turned over to those wholly incompetent
to say the leasta
!, for one, am opposed to further mis-
leading the negroes of North Carolina.
| know that. TO some extent, ut least, |
am responsible for the state of affairs
that exists among us. / know that |
have made mistakes, both in my private
and public life, some Of which | expect
to be confronted with in the future.
am not ready to confess these mistakes
until | believe | am willing to help
rectify them; just so believe that every
political party makes mistakes, and as
fast as possible they should proceed to
rectify them.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, If you could only
see some of the many letters now in my
possession from parties throughout
North Carolina, who endorse the course
that / took before the recent meeting
of the State Executive Committee, you
would see that as party, we cannot
afford longer, fail to give
expression on the question of
white supremacy; if from no
higher motive, we are compelled to do
it in self defense. And pray, tell me,
why not? The Populist party is a
white mans party, while the greatest is
sue involved affects all classes, condi-
lions and cOlors of men, and it should
be party composed of all, and more es-
pecially Of all laboring men, yet the fact
remains, that the negro is n Republican,
and ever viii be. Il know of but one
township in North Carolina, where the
negroes are sticking to the Populist
party.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, l beg your par
don for having taken up so much of
your time. In conclusion let me say, let
us as a party adhere to our principles,
let us push the main issue, and if not
strong enough within ourselves, let us
cooperate with any and all other pOliti-
cal parties who believe as We do, and
withal, let us see to it that we take
care of the interests of the Old North
State. With my best wishes for sue
cess, Respectfully yours.
JOHN A. SIMS,
Member State Executive Committee,
Seventh ConOraSSionaI District