The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-22

now that the letter was pur
posely delayed.
From this point all are fully inform
| ed.
In considering the occurrences W,
must not lose sight of the fact that
the negroes were armed and organic
ed. that they had threatened TO wash
their hands in the blood CT the white
man." that through the criminal are
lesness of a postoffice conducted BY
white and negro republicans the prov
ocation TO action lad been given.
Despite all these p~rovocations not a
negro vas injured sntil a white man
fell before negro bullets.
WHITES DRIVEN 10 DESPERA-
TON.
1t is difficult for a nonresident OF
this city 10 realize thu tremendous
p~rovocation under which these people
haye laborad. But when men whose
business interests are valued at hun
dreds of thousands of dollars feel
themselves bound either 10 obtain a re-
generation Of their city or a removal
from the city: when many OF these
men are not the descendants OF south
- = AZ @NA AoI SAdNE -AoEu~
ers; when many OF these men are cool.
conservative Scotchmen and English
men. ii is time TO form a correct idea
of the citizens concerned in the recent
reorganization.
When every white lawyer. doctor and
almost every clergymen in the city was
under arms We must regard the events
of the past week as not resulting from
the "hot-headed southern negro
haters.". If the critics had studied
the situation AND witnessed the scenes
that occurred last week and watched
the charity and kindness that was and
is being extended to sufferers. the
gentle nursing and expert medical at
tention hat is being given to the
wounded, the sympathy and aid that
is being continued to the negro race
in the face of their treacherous in
gratitude, the statement of southern
hate for negroes would not be made.
ULTIMATE EFFECT ON THE NE
GRO.
What will the result be upon the ne
gro is a matter of moment. We may
consider it from social, moral, econo-
mic and political s~tandpoints.
The idea Of social equality is, for the
time at least, vanished from the negro
mind. He is convinced that it is use
less to aspire to social equality. The
doctrine OF miscegenation never had
as strong hold on the negro mind in
the south as pom the whites Of the
north.
The bulk of the negroes have 0
sought social equality. Those who
have advocated it are the negro
preachers and some Of their followers
among the women. Their ideas of what
constitutes social equality are vague
and varied, and if the preachers would
cease agitating the question the prob
lem would work its own solution.
The effect of the outbreak upon the
morals of the negro is difficult to esti-
mate. | am of the opinion hat it has
had no appreciate effort.
From a political standpoint the eff
feet will be far-reaching. The negro
will henceforth be unable to control
the government, and it is probable that
within a year an educational qualifica-
ton will be incorporated into the or
ganic law Of the state. This will be
applicable to both whites and blacks,
and will accomplish legally that which
has been SO often done in an illegal
manner. 1t will restore to the intClli-
gent portion of the community the
right to COVER the community.
There is not, however, the disposition
to debar the negro from the right OF
franchise, but to force the elevation
of intelligence before it is eligible tC
vote. Such a law will put an end to
most if not all Of the election abuses
here, and is the step that should have
been taken twenty-five years ago.
HEAVY MONEY LOSS CAUSED.
From the economic standpoint the
effect of last week has been important.
The losses to the white business men
in trade will reach 500, 900. The rail.
roads have lost upwards of $25. 900. The
laboring men have lost $12, 900 in wages
alone.
But the permanent effect upon the
, trade and prosperity Of Wilmington
] is beneficial. Hundreds of new Gus
toners will be attracted here and the
movement has already begun.
The economic effect on the negro
race will be for the present, at least
disastrous. Hundreds of negroes have
lost their positions and have no pros
pect Of work. The recent actions
have begotten a feeling that will mill.
tate against the negro of this state fol-
| years.
| GUY CARLETON LEE.