The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-18

North Carolina S~ftuatfon-As Seen by
one Who Has studied the Race
Probiem-Eurnfshed with Arms and
Aroused To n High Pitch. the Col-
orcd Element was n Menace To Peace
Especial Correspondence OF Baltimore

" 4AER44A4@ AtA. ~ 49, %NbkGAAbt4 "A
the train on which / came from Bal
timore neared the North Carolina line
the effect Of the recent disturbances at
Wilmington became apparent
\ great dread seemed to have settled
upon the negro and has actions betray-
ed the fear that possessed him. Small
knots Of anxious-faced men ould be
seen at the way stations discussing the
great calamity that had fallen upon
their race. ON all sides the videnC Of
a lesson we'll learned impressed the
onlooker.
At points where the train made more
than a momentary stop the negroes
were interviewed. The first answer 10
the question, What is the trouble with
the negro" was. Il don know" Fur
Their questioning brought out the &C
Acknowledgement that they did know,
but their version was:
The white people are just killing
the poor niggers because-because-
we'll, | suppose. that We don't know"
In other words. the negro evaded the
question. He knew the reason and
when more confident would give II.
NEGROES WERE INCITED AT WILL
son.
At Wilson. y. c. at which point the
passengers To and from Wilmington
change for the north and south via the
! Atlantic Coast Line, the excitement
was intense. Several hours Of investi-
cation revealed the following situa-
alton.
The feeling developed in the recent
campaign was most bitter. In addition
TO the race question the dement, Of
| personal vituperation a aroused the
most violent passions of contending
| politicians. The result az the ballot
which overthrow the large negro ma
| jOrity Of Wilson county caused 4 most
vehement dissatisfaction among the
negroes and their eaders.
Incited by these leaders. Of whom
| the most blamable We're white republic
cans. the ordinary negro voters COM
| pleteIy lost s~elf-control. They were on
the verge Of an outbreak. Arms We're
purchased. The money that should
| have bought food was spent IN cheap
knives. guns. pistols and ammunition.
The plans for altering by force the de-
| CiSion Of the ballot We're carefully laid.
Certain worthless and ignorant negroes
were selected to begin the trouble and
were kept in a state Of beastly intoXi-
| cation. The negro leaders stood back
and behind them. Far behind, and yet
not hidden. stood the white s~coundrels
to whom the negro looked for guidance.
WILMINGTON FURNISHED a LES
son.
This was the situation at Wilson
when the terrible scene at Wilmington
burst upon the plotters before every
thing was ready for the display Of ne
gro strength. | do not believe that
blOOdShed was contemplated, neither
do | think that more than an armed
assertion of demands was planned.
Tho MANS of tho naorpaG l-apa in
complete for two reasons. These were
the cOWardice of the leaders. as well
as the rank and file, and the objection
mad by many negroes to raising their
hands against the white race, even IN
threat. You may call this second rea-
son by any name you Will. Some call
it gratitude and affection. Others say
it arose from a fear Of White Venge-
ance.
The Wilson negroes had been told
that they were strong enough to have
their WILL" that because they furnished
the labor they supported the white
people; that they could prevent giving
North Carolina and the negro to the
democrats, your natural enemies"
The negroes We're not wholly to blame
in their attitude. Their condition
arouses pity in the mind Of the south
erner. He sees the great decisions I'M
| der which the race labors and is strug-
| Cling to remove the cause.
Negroes Of the south are but clay in
the hands Of the potter. and the potter
cares not III vessel he makes if ii
will serve his purposes.
SAW THEY HAD BEEN MISLED.
The deluded negroes at Wilson await
ed the signal, as they did at dozens
Of towns throughout eastern North
Carolina, but the stern repression of
| negro la WlaSSDeSG and outrops at Wi
mington. and the prompt action Of the
representative white men Of the threat
ened towns brought the matter to A
sudden halt. The success Of the whites
gave the lie TO the representations Of
the leaders Of the negroes.
The news that the turbulence in Will
mington had been suppressed in the
blood Of their race fell like the light
nings stroke on the waiting negroes.
knowledge Of how they had been fool
cd swept over the race. They had
learned IN time that this is "a white
mans country"
The citizens of Wilson. Selma. Flor
ence and dozens Of other towns met
and discussed the situation. Represen-
tatlVes Of the negroes We're admitted
and complete submission Of the negro
resulted. So complete was the trans
formation wrought in twelve hours bv
the example Of Wilmington hat VIII
son wax justified in sending to the aid
81 her Sister city the home guards that
were not needed at home.
After studying the situation in VIII
son | returned to the railroad station
Tor a paHS-1ger going To Wilmington
: "pIleed = remain all high at the
station IN the waiting Pullman. on
entering 2 sleeping car I was surprised
TO note that half Of the seats were fin
"a with negroes. They were part ar tho
maioontents Of Wilmington. In the
rear 81 the car was ex-Mavor Silas y
wright, ana a worse scared man I
nave seldom seen. The negroes were IL
2 state of great nervous excitenart
I"r lhey feared an outbreak at Wilson
y yet dared not 20 10 Selma AT
"hlch point the railroad company had
advised them to wait.
FROM Wilson - Wilmington the ner-
F"us apprehension Of the raadsida No.
gro vas apparent, and tta negro man
vas not IN his usual evidence. As tho
a - - E.LA