Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-24

olle Is the fOmenter OF QlScord and the
creator of disturbance, and even the
preachefs were forced to warn tho
women VI their churches to stop their
violent talking and help in the work of
order.
To sum up, the bosses, white and
black, the preachers, the society officers
and the women all have hand in con-
trolling the rank and file of negro
voters. 1t is fact that practical
ostraoism, and sometimes sepering of
family relations, awaits negro who
fails TO vote the regular Republican
ticket.
AS the fall election of 1888 approached
tho negroes were assured by thoir
leaders that q victory for them at the
polls would mean q reversal of ppsiti
and the subjugation of the whitess.
The negroes seemed beside themselves
with their disorderly conduct, and
particularly their behavior to the indies
and children of the city aroused the
whites to q state of excitement that
was not alayed by the fears of more
fortunate cities which were cognizant
of the state of affairs at Wilmington.
HOW WHITE MEN ORGANIZED.
A quiet examination was made of
the state of affairs, and il was decided
that tlle time had come TO bring about
n clearing If the A,,gean stableS.S The
business men Of fbe city. with but
three eycentions. commenced the work
Of ORGANIZATION If il of special note
frat the conmittee in charge was com
m. ed az tbe most substantial business
Ind professional mon, the combined
veal, ~ whom -would npnrox;nate
s2D. Oo ono.
A snS committee on protection or
panized the home Guard. The detail
was ;s follows: A city block WAS taken
al n unit. In ench block n cantnin
was appointod. He was instructed Ia
ascertain tho number OF males bearinu
arms in the block, and Tim defensive
weapons possessed by them. also ID
require The unarned 10 procure
weapons. His repnrt was made To- a
division eaDtnin. who had ehnrsro al
every three blocks. and ho IN t,,rn
reported to n commander in CHARGE 81
the voting precinct In which the blocks
Law. The precinct commander inen re.
ported to the commanded chief. VINO
was assisted by n yice-commander.
In This manner tho entire civ was
organized The organization was one
of fact, not theory. Ii included ever,
white citizen of the town. with Is AZ
ceptions. and formed n compact bod,
of we'll armed. intelligent men. whose
whole aim tvas the nrotection ~ thei,
homes. The number Of men. who II
the crisis were under arms. rencbee
| d. 600. 1or more than the entire whit,
vote Of the CITY.
By popular subscription two rapid
| fire guns, costing some s1.sOO, were
| bought from fine Remington ca IN,
Guards were drilled. NOT only in theil
use. but were oiven a thorough master,
of small arms. and an. ac9uaintanc,
| with the principles of military drill
and discipIine.
All these precautionary measures
we're under the direction az fine citi
zens, COMMITTEES.
An attemnt was made Nv arranoe
| ment with the Renublieans To nreven
any clash between the races. and hotl
sides made concessfons but This VA
Of little avail. It was then decide,
| that nd the ;nterests Of fine civ do
| manded a return Of the governmental
control into the hands ~ wb;ta men
hut ne II was NOT des;red that confl;ct
should arise nj the nojls, an attemn
should he made TO persuade the neer,
efforts of the negro leaders, aided b,
the bosses and the women, was of littl
avail
The utter unreliability of the negr,
laborers and their attitude towar'
their employers forced the employer
to take such action toward their colore'
help as they would toward white he'll
who were working against their EN-
ployers' interest.
As the continuance of negro rule wa
detrimental to the business interest
OF the city it was determined to dis
charge negroes who registered and +
| replace discharged help with whit
labor. Through the operation of thi
rule some 500 efficient white laborer
found employment.
so earnestly had the employers con
sidered the situation that they entere,
into correspondence with Northern
labor bureaus and seriously talket
over the proposition of adding LOO
industrious, intelligent, self-respectin
white citizens from beyond the cit
limits. This plan was not carried on
and is at present in allegiance.
L will continue the subject in m
next letter. Guy Carleton Leo
|
4W;,m;noton N O. Nov. Fife
m,nths nrecej;pg tho recent outhroa'
hsTa az rearnes b,d Saan n,ai,;n
nre,,arat;on for the trorbles that The
XII wo,,id come Tbn wb;te dnsen CIV;
oraanization was not only ;nstified h
the criminal disorder that he law a
administered by negroes and Republi
Nv ~ sae'n ntra p9moitss ~ tapaess, ~ ~
y vo intrusive oiseah i1 z VI VI