The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-01
Keynote Of Exciting Cam
paign in North Carolina.
BOYCOTT OF THE NEGRO woRKMtN
A Detachment Of Blacks taken Down the River
and Shown the Destructive Capacity Of a Colt
Gun. Mrs. RusselPs Milk on the Black List.
Vehement Appeals in The Newspapers to Raj
" Against Negro Domination. Red Shirt
Brigade.
washington Post.)


Brigade.
washington Post.)
Wilmington, n. c., Oct 30.-Today
passed quieriy in wilmington, but all
possibility of trouble has not yet been
averted. In the churches and among
crowds on the street corners the situi-
ton here has been the one topic. There
is a hitch over the truce which it was
thought yesterday had been arranged.
whereby the Democratic nominees foc
the Legislature were to withdraw in ia
vor of the candidates named by the
business men, while the Republicans
were to refrain from nominating coun-
ty ticket. This arrangement is not salts
factory TO the mass Of white voters.
The Democratic candidates and the
Democratic campaign committee ac-
cepted the compromise in excellent spirit.
but their followers are inclined to rebel
against any scheme which looks like
yielding to Il suggestion of Gov. Russell.
1t is probable that State Chairman Sim
mons will have to be summoned here to
finally decide the matter. Every one
recognizes, Of course. that if the com
promise is not arranged. the Republicans
will enter the field with full ticket.
The negroes will attempt to vote. and in
the resistance which will be offered to
them at the polls conflict will surely
come. Tonight. therefore, the feeling
Of relief. which was SO marked last
night. has been succeeded by nervous APP
prehension.
The campaign in North Carolina, Of
which this Wilmington situation is but
Il part. recalls the stormy days when
tine State passed through the throes Of
reconstruction. There has not been rs
much excitement in thirty years. Bust
ness is practically at standstill, and
merchants, lawyers, and bankers gather
in public meetings and H. their offices
to discuss the extreme measures
necessary to keep the negroes from the
polls. The color line is sharply drawn.
1t is the whites against the blacks the
former determined to rule at all haz-
ards. The negroes, on their part, are
stirred to the exercise of their rights by
impassioned leaders, and should they fol-
low this advice, conflict is inevitable.
PRIVATE HOMES WE'LL ARMED.
Fortunately, it does not seem likely at
this time that the negroes will attempt
to vote in Wilmington, and so all trouble
here may be avoided. Public feeling.
however. still runs very high. Many Of
the leading citizens have sent their fami-
lies out of the State, and Postmaster
C.iadbourn and his family are among
the absentees The office Of the Will
mington Messenger is yeritable arse
nal, large closet being stored with re-
volvers and rifles. Private houses arc
fortified against possible attach, AMI
the local papers solemnly warn house
wives not to give up any rifles on orders
purporting to be signed by their hus-
bands, as this is said to be one of the
schemes Of the negroes to secure arms.
Picturesque incidents are not lacking.
One of these occurred few days ago.
The business mems committee, recently
purchased a Colts rapid-fring gun with
which to protect the cotton wharves and
other property from incendary mobs
1t was at first determined to exhibit the
gun in the public square, in order tC
give the negroes an idea of its destruc-
tive power, but this plan was abandoned.
The gun, instead of being fired in the
city, was taken down the river, and a
few negroes selected to accompany the
party. It was loaded with 500 car
tridges. and these were fired SO quickly
and with such destruction to the trees
and shrubbery on shore that the negroes
were frightened almost to death. When
they were brought back to the city, they
advertised the good Workmanship of
the gunners and the deathdealng quail
ity of the weapon among their colored
brethren. The effect is said to have
been Every satisfactory This incl
dent is counterpart of John Aliens
story, "We fire cannon at Tupelo on
the morning of election day." that willy
Congressman once explained, ito let
the negroes know there is going to be a
fair election"