The times., 1898-10-28
RACE WAR is IMMINENT.
Gov. Russell Importuned to Avert q
Calamity.


Calamity.
Assistant Attorney General James E.
Boyd, who has been taking an active part
| in the Republican campaign In North
Carolina, returned to Washington yes
terday to attend to official business. Col
Boyd expects to return in a few days to
continue his work In the campaign, which
| has resulted in stirring up very bitter
feeling between the white and eolored in
habitants of the State. awakening the ap-
| prehension that unless radical steps are
| taken without delay race war will de-
| velop
To illustrate the intensity OF the feel
ing. Col. Boyd has made public the fol-
lowing self-explanatory correspondence,
which passed between the leading busi-
ness men of Wilmington and Gov. Rus
sell:
Wilmington. N. c.. Oct. "a, 1898.
Hon. ID. l.. Russell, Raleigh. n. c.:
Dear Sir: We have been deeply con-
cerned during the past week by the very
excited state of our inhabitants. in view
of the approaching election. which threat
| ems to provoke war between the white
and black races.
I'VE have frequently observed during
political campaigns In the past a degree
of hostility which, at times. appeared to
threaten the public peace, but which
passed off when wiser counsel prevailed;
but the present state OF excitement is an
parently and really beyond bounds, and
we declare TO you our conviction that we
are on the brink of a revolution. which
can only be averted by the suppression of
Republican ticket.
The white people and taxpayers gener-
any protest that they have been driven
10 desperation and we have no hesitation
IN saying that even the usual indiscre-
ton OF political partisans on the next
election day will precipftate a conflict
which may cost hundreds and perhaps
thousands OF lives. and the partial or en-
tire destruction of the city.
We, therefore, on behalf of the con-
serVauVe business firms of Wilmington
ueepIy interested in the peace and welfare
Oh our community. entreat you. as the
representative of the Republican Marty
mere 10 meet the emergency and avert a
Cdiahlty by the means which We have in
uiIdteu' or py some other personal or po-
itlcal itlcal sacrihce, which would be gratefully
recognized and approved by our conserva-
tive and patriotic people. who Iook "a vo,,
IN this extremity. Respectfully.
ALEX- SPRUNT & SON.
JOHN WILDER ATKINSON
y H. SLOAN,
WILLIAM GILCHRIST.
"CoRBETT & GORE"
Gov Russell made the following repIv
10 the above letter:
= Gentlemen: The substance of ,-o,,r Ia.
Ter Is that the Republican ticket of Ney,
hanover County must be suppressed. that
Is, that the Republican voters OF tbsT
county shall not vote the ticket OF their
party, mat If they do so. there will be
hundreds and perhaps thousands of lives
ana the partial or utter destruction OF
the city VI
VINO constitute, who are the men on
this Republican ticket? The RenuhIicar
convention of New Hanover County has
not nominated a ticket. According to my
information they propose to nominate a
ticket that Will be composed, with one
exception. of white men. That exception
is the register of deeds. coIored mar
who has held that office for two wears
VINO, as l am informed and believe. is
competent and has made a reasonably
good ohcer, and as TO whom I have
heard no complaint as to his official con-
duct. The Republicans propose as 1 am
informed, to vote for the following mem
bers of the legislature: For the senate.
b. f. Keith: for the house, d. L Gore
and r. B. Davis
Now, who are these men? Mr. Keith
Is reputable merchant of your city. He
was voted for by perhaps 80 per cent
OF the Democrats of your county in the
last election as an elector on the Presi-
Dental ticket. and was elected by the
people of North Carolina by a majority
of some 10000
Capt. r. B. Davis has been for years
leading man in North Carolina He has
been one of the leaders of the Democratic
party in the State He has been elected
by their votes and has served as one of
their most important men in the State
legislature. He is a gentleman OF edu-
cation and culture and an orator of dis
tinction- He was also an elector for The
State at large In the last Presidential
election and was elected by the whole
people of the State by some 20,o00 ma
jority.
Mr.. d. L. Gore is a man of large prop
erty and of extensive business connec-
tions. As l understand it, ne has gener-
ally acted politically with the Democratic
party until the election of 1896, when he
voted for Mckinley.
"All of these men are North Carolin-
ians as well connected, as capable and as
| closely associated with the business. So
cial. and material interests of the State
as any three men who could be found in
your community.
II am informed that the Republicans OF
New Hanover are willing to adopt such
ticket for county commissioners as will
give the highest assurance of protection
of property rights and OF honest and
economical county administration
You say the Republican ticket must
be suppressed. Do you mean to suppress
| the Republican ticket which will b. not
| only TO deny to the Republicans of New
| Hanover the privilege of exercising their
| constitutional right TO vote for members
| of the legislature and county officers. but
| also would deny to them their right to
vote for members of Congress and JUDGES
| and such State officers as are to be voted
| for in this election? They would thus be
| deprived not only of their rights under
| the State constitution, but those secured
to them under the United States COnsti-
tuition as we'll Very truly yours,
ID. L. RUSSELL. Governor
| Grave fears are entertained by the con-
servative elements of both parties that
this bitterness may break into open hos
| tilities at any time.