The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-27
TALK OF THE RACE CONFLICT

james n. SfssOA hshI1kuse
ton, N. e., I'm Chicago and Talks To the
Legislative Inserfcrenee with the
Chico Of AIdermen-A southern Bust.
ness Man Declares mat u newspaper
Article started the Re cent BiOodshed
1From The Chicago Inter-Ocean. De-
cember I'D
James II. Chadbourn, Jr., OF VIII
mington, y. c.. was at the Palmer
house yesterday.
Mr.. Chadbourn is president of the vii
mington chamber OF IN and one
oS the leading business men of the city
which was the scene OF the recent race
troubles. The movement which led 10
a practical revolution in Wilmington
ne declares to- have been OF a social
and business rather than a political ma
ture, and he says that the negroes fired
the shot that was the prelude OF the
killing of a number OF their race.
The real beginning OF the recent
trouble in Wilmington, said he yes
terday, dates back to two years ago,
when the newly elected legislature,
controlled by a combination OF republi-
cans and populists, passed a law
changing the charters of the principal
cities, including Wilmington. Under the
terms Of the new charter only i've or
the ten aldermen were elected by pop
ular vote, while the other five We're
appointed by the republican governor.
| This action OF the legislature was re-
! garded by the better class of the pop
| ulation as a direct and odius infringe
ment upon the right of self-government
and as such was deeply resented. IN
der this arrangement four OF our al
dermen were negroes, representing
practically no property interests. Fuel
was added to the fire by the growing
tendency Of the negroes 10 assert them
selves unduly, and a crisis was reach
ed when the negro paper, The Record,
published last August an article that
was f~iagrantly offensive TO the white
people, rejecting, as it did, y the
character of white women. The young
er element of the community was held
in check at that time only with great
difficulty. The business men of the
city came to the conclusion that its
commercial salvation depended upon
the overthrow of the existing order OF
things, and, accordingly a strong, and,
as ii proved, successful fight was made
against the dominant elements at the
November election.
Ion election day every mar voted
who had any desire 10 vote, and, 10 the
best of my knowledge and belief. the
- oAA~ShA AAi1 ia "a
1t should be borne in mind that there
was no bloodshed until after the cleo
ton. After the demolition of the Rec.
ord office a party of white men was
fired upon by negroes, and bloodshed
followed. l saw it stated in The Inter
Ocean of yesterday that w. E. Hender-
, son, a colored lawyer, who spoke here
Sunday, claims to have been driven out
by threats. So far as / know there
) was no reason for Henderson's leav.
( ing, as he was a quiet man, Of gooc
l reputation. 1 never knew that any
threats were made against him.
The negroes of North Carolina pay
only 3 1-3 per cent. of the taxes. anC
it is inconceivable tina. the whites, who
: own practically all the property, anC
l bear the burden of taxation. should
submit quietly to be dominated by
them. 1t is contrary to human nature
! and is especially opposed to the in,
stincts of he Anglo-Saxon.
THE solution of the race problem
lies in an educational restriction upon
: the right of suffrage. This fact is now
l admitted by the most intelligent color
ed men. The president of the negr,
: state college said as much to me il
conversation only a few days ago
Freed from the fear of negro domino,
o ton, Wilmington, which is already on,
=, OF the most progressive cities in tn
! south. looks orwar to great growth
1 and prosperity