The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-16
WILMINGTON. n. C.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1898.


MORT HERN FEELlNG-A CHANGE.
Soon after the late revolution in
this city we scrutinized the northern
press closely and were extremely re-
gTetful to see so many Of the great
papers," secular and political, taking
anch an view of the causes
and results here of a conflict between
. part of the negroes and the whites.
The religious press was particularly
offensive and abusive, calling the best
and most orderly people here very hard
names, such as murderers, etc. The
religious press in part Is still at 1t in
dulging severe criticism and defaming
the best christian element in Will
nington. In truth a vast deal of
down right lying and slandering has
been INDUCED in the north. Some OF
the newspapers, like the Boston Trans
cript, ct id omne genus, keep their
fierce fire and threaten that forty
states will march down upon six south
ern states and fairly "gobble them up"
and stamp out their statehood. The
Transcript is mighty at long range.
both in sympathy and language.
What is it doing to improve the con-
dition Of the poor whites and the poor
negroes up in frozen New England?
But our purpose is not to dwell upon
the unkind and false things said of
Wilmington by ignorance and fanati-
cism. We desire to note, which is far
.pleasanter, a steady change Of public
opinion in the north, much more fav-
orable to the south, and not without
discernment of the critical conditions
and necessities that are so pressing in
character.
We have heard recently of observa-
tions made in the West and north since
the revolution. A gentleman who has
been in the north found but little dis
approval among those he met Of what
was done here. A lady talked with
many in the north and met no one who
failed to be just and intelligent in what
was said. Another gentleman who has
lately travelled in the west reported
that the general sentiment was free
from bitterness, and that many openly
Endorsed the conduct of southern
whites. We have not met but two Of
these persons, but give the reports as
given to us so far as we recall their
tenor.
We have seen newspaper reports
that seem to confirm the results of per-
sonal observation on the part of south
EN- whites. A Philadelphia reporter,
as is telegraphed to the Charleston
News and Courier, of 10th date, gives
this as his experience, and it shows
that the fanatical asses bray loud still:
1.-The average white man, so far as I
could observe, is not alarmed or irrita-
ted about the condition Of the negro
in the south. His feeling towards the
south and the southern white people Is
cordial. The Philadelphia is not less
sincere in his regard for a southern
man that he Is for any other American.
The few harsh expressions towards the
south that I heard from white men fell
from the lips of ministers of the Cos
pei. The Methodist Ministers Union,
of Philadelphia, unanimously passed
resolutions savagely condemning the
southern outrages," and there was no
suggestion from any of the preachers
that there could be two sides to the
question. A prominent preacher, the
Rev. Dr.. Kynett, read a paper, in which
he fiercely arraigned the southern
whites, and went SO far as to hint that
"a few empty red shirt saddles might
be necessary to call the attention of
the Federal government to southern
attacks upon negroes"
The reporter CIV. w. 3D. says tina
such vituperative and ultra sentiment
coming from clerics who preach the
gospel of hate (our way of putting IT'D
are not Endorsed. His words are find
absolutely no echo in the popular mint
III FuildUeipuid, duu IuSy daC w w ~
down to the ignorance of political and
social affairs too often incidental to a
life more or less scholastic. 1t may b
that politicians in the north may en-
deavor to capitalize" the troubles of
the south, but they will not represen
popular sentiment"
The Messenger reads such statement
with much pleasure.
A MOVEMENT AGAINST THE TC.
.BACCO TRUST IN KENTUCKY