The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-29

A Plain Proposition As to How We Can
Secure Expansion and Progress for
NflminZton-Ghe Proclamation of
the hite Mems Mass Meeting Must
be Carried Out-An Influx of White
Wen the Key Note to Our City's Future
Prosperity

be Carried Out-An Influx of White
Wen the Key Note TO Our CIty;s Future
Prosperity
There are a great many young white
men coming to Wilmington seeking
positions. We must recognize that the
tide OF prosperity is setting our way.
Every one Of these young men who
can be employed means additional
wealth for this city. Let every one
put his shoulder to the wheel and
make an earnest effort for expansion
and progress.
Now that affairs in this city have
resumed a normal condition, it may be
we'll to refer to the proclamation is
ued by citizens in the mass meeting
on November 9Th for the purpose of
seeing which Of the resolutions have
been carried out and which are Yet to
be acted upon.
There were sections to the
resolutions and we quote them for the
purpose of analysis:
l.. That the time has passed for
the intelligent citizens of this COM
munity owning 50 per cent. of the
property and paying taxes in like
proportion, to be ruled by negroes.
In this community and in the south
today this is not questioned.
2. That we will not tolerate the
action Of INSCRIPTIONS white men
in affiliating with the negroes so
mat by means of their votes they -
can dominate the intelligent and
thrifty element in the community.
thus causing business to stagnate
and progress to be out Of the Uues-
ton.
This has been put into effect by the
voluntary withdrawal from office and
in most cases from the community OF
the class of white men referred to.
3. That the negro has demon
strated by antagOniZing our inter-
eStS IN every way, and especially bv
MS ballot, that he is incapable of
realizing that his interests are and
should be identical with those of
the community.
This is a trueism, which may pos
sibly be changed in future if the ne
gro can understand his best interests.
4. That the progressive element
in any community is the white
population and hat the giving of
nearly all the employment to negro
labOrerS has been against the best
interests of this county and city
and is a sufficient reason why the
city of Wilmington, with it's nat
ural advantages, has not become
a city of at least so, 600 inhabitants.
This statement of fact is one of
greatest Importance to the community.
The remedy is plainly set forth in the
fifth section, which will be taken up
last.
6. That the white men Xpect to
live in this community p~eaceably;
to have and provide absolute pro-
lection for their families, who shall
be safe from insult or injury from
all PERSONS, WhOmsOever. We are
prepared to treat the negroes with
justice and consideration in all
matters which do not involve sac
rificeS of the interests of the intelli-
gent and progressive portion of the
community. But are equally pre-
pared now and Immediately to en-
force what we know to be our
rights.
In regard to this enough has been
done to demonstrate our ability and
u sincerity of purpose.
{. mat we nave Deen, IN our de-
sire for harmony n peace, blind
ed both to u interests and our
rights. A climax was reached when
the negro paper of this city pub
liShed an article so vile and SLAM
derOus that it would in most COM
munities nave resulted in the
lynching of the editor. We depre-
cate lynching and yet there IS no
punishment, provided by the courts,
nIn11Jntn fnr tIs~ ffo.,@~ W.
therefore, owe it to the people of
his community and of this city,
as a protection against such license
in the future, that the paper known
as THE Record" cease to be pub
lished and that it's editor be ban
ished from this community.
Refers to The Record and it's editor
and has been fully put into effect.
Returning to No. 5.
5. That we propose in future to
give to white men a large part of
the employment heretofore given to
negroes because we realize that
white families cannot thrive here
unless there are more opportunities
for the employment of the different
members of sale families.
This is undoubtedly the key note tc
W~ilmingtOn's future prosperity. 1t is
both the means and end Of our work
Upon the foundation we have laid We
should build a structure and not stop
until the Gaping stone is put in place
If the work is left incomplete it viii
be exposed to the dangers of dissen,
sion and decay.
Nothing was more clearly demon,
J strated recently than the enormous
force which is generated by unity OF
purpose and action. Now let US pre-.
, serve this unity and utilize the force
in making permanent the work already
done First, we can, by carrying Our
| section 5. remove all possibility of {
recurrence of the dangers of the past
| then the way will be clear for tht
rapid building of industries which ar,
the life of a city and the hope of it:
! future.
I Chosen TO AssassinaIe the Kaiser
! Hamburg. November PA diSDatcl