The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-06
WHO WILL NOT VOTE TO KEEP
THE BLACK YOKE ON
THE EAST.
A STRONG LETTER BY AN ABLE MAN
The Fusionis!s in Power are Responsible for the
DepIorable Conditions that Curse the
State, and Honest Republicans
will Vote for White
Supremacy.

"A prominent RcpuDllcan OF weston
North Carolina, writing to friend ii
this city, says:
I'm national affairs | am, and always
have been, and expect to remain, lie
publican. l believe in a protective tarlil
sound money and other things for thu
advocacy of which the Republican parry
stands pledged. At this critical time III
our history l believe it to be the duty OF
every patriot to vote i'll such a manner
as to avoid the slightest appearance of
not upholding the course of the National
government in its foreign affairs, and |
shall, of course, with this additional
reason for so doing, vote again for the
Republican nominee for Congress i'll tins
district.
You are aware that during my resi-
dence in North Carolina | have taken
no part in State or local politics, but the
great excitement prevailing here and
elsewhere in the State regarding poll
teal question has caused me to look
into them with some care, with view
o. determining whether it was not my
duty as a citizen to have more settled
convictions concerning them and act ac-
cordingly.
''To tell the truth, ! have long been
amazed at the conduct of some of the
States principal executive and admins
trative officers, several Of whom, l re-
greet to say, my vote of two years ago
helped to place in office. They have
acted with the most short-sighted policy,
to say the least, and they have not como
to even a moderate standard of zeal in
guarding and fostering the best interests
of the State. The case of the exceeding
" able head of the Experiment Station
of the Agricultural Department-who
was so well and favorably known all
over the United States for his good
work, and who was turned out of office
for no proper cause-is only one instance
of many which might be cited as proof
of the fact that those now in office do
not have the welfare of the State at
heart. but exercise their powers for per-
sonal reasons or because of low stand
ard of political ideas.
Here, too, during the last two years
we have been disgraced, and, notwith-
standing the fact that every one knows
it, there seems to be a disposition on
the part of the managers of the Repub-
lican party, in spite of numerous protests,
to continue in office some of those who
are responsible for the deplorable con-
ditiOn of affairs.
''In the last few weeks, what seems
to me the most serious matter of all
has been brought to a conspicuous place
in the canvass, and this is what is known
rs "negro domination" No true friend
or honest well-wisher of the colored peo-
pie can. ] believe, desire to see them
placed in control of the legislative, jul
dicial or executive functions of the gov
eminent. We all know, and the bet
TO- LOCATED members of their own race
realize as well as we do. that they are
not now, as a race. fitted to govern
in this country. Individual instances %
able, even brilliant colored men, or
more numerous cases of colored men
who are qualified for positions of some
political power to be exercised in matters
exclusively affecting their own race. DO
not affect the case. 1t is not open IL
dispute, / believe. that in our eastern
counties and cities the colored people
are. in considerable measure. in CON
troll Of the government. and it is too
much to expect that the white people
occurrences in the last degree unfortun-
ate-to use a mild term-seems to be
sure. unless the State election shall re-
suit. in a peaceful revolution. The party
WI: h put them in power has been ex-
ceedingly short-sighted and is respon
sible for the condition of things, and it
seems to be the inevitable outcome Of
the ascendency of the republican party
in State affairs in North Carolina that
n this matter the conditions should be-
come worse. i am unwilling to cast my
vote in favor of keeping this yoke upon
the necks of our eastern citzensy- and
for all the reasons stated / have deter
mined to quietly vote this year at least
il State affairs, so far as ] conscientious
~ in view of what | have stated
with the Democratic party and / think
the result will disclose the fact that
many others who have always been Re
apnblicans have done the same thing.
II believe the best public sentiment
demands the peaceable and lawful rein.
statement Of white control in State af
fairs. and. while the Republican party
seems to be in hostility with this senti
ment, / cannot support it,"