Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-12-03
THAT NORTH CAROLINA CONSTR
tn TON.

The reasonable action of the muir
derous mob at Wilmington, n. c., has
caused widespread discussion and in
vited enquiries as Co the safety OF the
Republic itself. When men, laying
claim to intelligence violate their
oaths, disregard the constitution of
their own state and defy the constiru.
ton OF the United States, it becomes
an open question as to the perpetuity
OF our institutions.
Gov. d. J.. RUSSELL OF NORTH CARR
LIMA appears in a most unfavorable
light. throughout this entire affair. It
was apparently a compromise with
wrong. 1t was q sacrifice OF the inhe-
rent rights guaranteed in the Consti-
tuition OF the state of North Carolina.
As for A. M. WADDELL, the usurping
mayor, who over the bleeding bodies
OF the citizens of color of the state of
North Carolina ruthlessly seized the
reins OF government, he is guilty Of
perjury, and is amensble to the laws
which he has so ruthlessly Violated.
But what must be thought OF men,
white men who violated not only their
own state laws, but those OF the Unit
ed States9 This is done with impuni-
ty. Ministers OF the gospel, lawyers.
merchants a. d labcrers were guilty of
this crime. Whist then must be said
of lawlessness amongst colored people?
Are not these men the ones whom they
are expected TO initiate?
1t has been argued that the ability to
read and write carries with it q respect
for the laws Of the land Is this true
II it is how can you explain away the
| action of the educated viii te men of
Wilmington They knew that the
talk about Negro supremacy was got
ten up by the white Democratic politi-
clans in order to secure the state, coun
tY and city offices.
But what sections o. the laws OF their
own state-North Carolina did these
white men violate?
Article /. Section ! of the Constitu-
ton OF the state of North Carolina is
plain and reads ss follows:
"Th at we hold it to be self evident
that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights, that among
these are life, liberty, the enjoyment
Ut the fruits OF of their own labor, and
the pursuit OF happiness"
This, then, is recognition of the
right of the citizen OF color to an equal
share in the government of that state.
He is the equal of any other citizen.
Article reads:
THAT the people of this state have
the inherent, sole and exclusive right
of regulating the internal government
and police thereof and Of altering and
abolishing their constitution and form
of government, whenever it may be
necessary for their safety and happi-
ness, but every such right should be
exercised in pursuance OF law and con-
slstently with the constitution of the
United States"
Was this done in North Carolina ?
Were the provisions of this act respect
ed? The law provides that changes
must be made through the ballot-box
and that each citizen. entitled thereto
under the laws of the state shall be
permitted to cast one ballot and have il
counted as he cast it.
The Constitution of this state further
provides in Section as follows:
THAT every citizen of this state
owes paramount allegiance to the
Constitu ton and Government Of the
United States, and that no law or or
dinance OF this state in CONFIRMATION
or subversion thereof can have any
J binding force"
Does it 1ot look like mockery tc
have man like A. N. WADDELL and
his co-oonsLirators subscribe to an oath
to support these provisioRs ? Yet. be
went through the form OF doing it al
Wilmington, N. @. But upon another
point Section IL is specific. 1t reads:
"No person ought to be taken. i'm
prisoned, or disseized OF his freehold
. liberties or privileges, or outlawed, or
exiled or liz any manner deprived OF
his life, liberty or property, but by the
law Of the land"
Is anything more needed to show the
reasonable character of the action OF
the mob at WILMINGTON. N. or The
} mayor Of the city and all OF the city
officials were exiled. Editor ALRxAS
DIR MANLY is now away from his home
his property seized and destroyed and
! himself outlawed without due process
OF law.
| Upon this point Section 30 OF thi.
same North Carolina Constitution
} which thesegsame eonspirators A. M
I WADDKLL had previously sworn e
maintain and support reads:
''The freedom Of the press 10 one o