The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-15
FEDERAL INTERFERENCE
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
IN 1901.
WHITE MEN MUST BE ALLOWED TO VOTE
Negroes Must be Protec ted and Educated Blu
hey Must Not be Permitted to Contro'.
The Legislatures First Duty is
to Repeal lection Law.
to Repeal { lection Law.

Editor News and Observer: The pc
litical campaign Of the year was fought
upon no other issue but the color line.
The men, who won the fight, expect
their representatives to leave no stone
unturned to secure the Legitimate fruits
of such a victory, by establishing per-
manent safeguards against negro domi-
nation within the State, or in the coun-
ties or towns within its borders.
Can the wisdom of our public men de-
wise some plan, which will work out
the practical elimination of the negro as
a voter, without depriving single white
of the right of SUFFRAGE All of the
white men, but not more than a handful
of colored men, are allowed to vote in
South Carolina, Mississippi and Louis
lana. What has been accomplished by
amendments to the Constitutions of those
States. can be done here, if our leaders
dertake the task set before them. No
one proposes or expects TO keep any
white man who has not been disabled by
conviction of a felony, away from the
polls. But every Anglo-Saxon ought to
be cured of any sickly sentimentality, he
may have heretofore felt about the col
ored brethren. We are still willing to
help and protect and, within just limi-
tations, to furnish EDUCATIONAL advan-
tages to that race, but never will we
again be governed by them, even in
political subdivisions, such as towns or
townships.
The Legislature ought, within twenty
four hours after its organization, to en-
act a statute containing a simple section,
repeating the election laws of 1895 and
1897, with preamble setting forth that
the leading and palpablc purpose of these
laws was to enable about fifteen thous-
and infamous persons TO eyade their con-
stitutional disability and control the bal
ance of power between the political par
ties of the State.
Section 81 Of Article of the Consti-
tuition empowers the Legislature, to di-
vorce State elections and State issues
from national politics by fixing the first
Thursday of August, as the stime for
the general election for members of the
Legislature and for State and county Of
ficers.
Now the Constitution can be
amended only by one of two methods:
An amendment when passed by vote
of three-fifths of each House, becomes
part of the Constitution, only upon
its ratification by a majority of the
qualified voters at the next election for
members of the General Assembly. A
Constitutional convention of the people
can be called by passing the law pro-
viding for the call by n vote of two-
thirds of both bodies, if the proposition
is subsequently sanctioned in the same
way by the qualified voters.
In whatever shape the proposal to
alter the organic laws may be submitted
10 the people, the time for our State
tie our local affairs in August, for two
reasons:
The proposed force-law would not pro-
vide for Federal interference, through in
spectors, except at the November cleo
ton for representatives in Congress and
Presidential elections. BY holding State
elections on the first Thursday of August
we would therefore avoid the conflicts
and disturbances that would probably
result from electing all officers at the
same time and place in November. The
most important advantage to be expected
from the old August election is in secur-
ing the cooperation of many thous-
ands of white Republicans, who are
heartily i'll favor of eliminating the ne
gro, as a political factor, but would
be heavily handicapped by the mixing
of Congressional and Presidential con-
tests with the issues arising out of
State politics. While a large majority
Of Democrats favor another fight for
Bryan under . the Chicago platform,
they prefer, in a separate preliminary
campaign, to invoke the aid of all true
Anglo-Saxons in establishing the per-
manent supremacy of their own race in
the State.
Though there are not two Democrats in
the State, who would not rejoice to see
a vast majority of the negroes dis
franchised. without depriving any white
man of suffrage, the people have not
settled down into any opinion as to what
is the best plan for the attainment Of
this object. AS private in the Demo-
cratic ranks, | venture to suggest the
passage of an act providing for the sub
mission Of the question, whether q con-
stitutional convention shall be called, at
the general election, to be held on the
first Thursday in August, 1900, and for
the election, on the same day, of 120
delegates, who, in case the people ap-
prove of the proposition, shall meet on
Wednesday after the first Monday in
January, 1901, during the off-year and
after the smoke of the Presidential bat
tie shall have cleared away, and calmly
consider whether educated Anglo-Saxons
are equal to the task of constructing
a State government Of white men and
by white men, hut affording protection
of life, limb and property to all men.
The ables.s wisest and most trustworthy
delegates should be selected and they
ought TO be required to make but the
simple pledge that no honest white man
in tha Sfatn chould with fhair concanf