The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-23
WHAT 1T WILL DO.

There are at least three classes of men
who are advocating the passage of the
Constitutional Amendment for three sep
sirate and distinct reasons:
/. Those who believe it will eliminate
the negro from politics and give the
Democratic party as now constituted
all white men-permanent control of the
State
2. Those who believe that the elimina-
ton of the negro from politics will make
two strong parties in North Carolina.
either of which would give good gov
erlmenr.
j. Those who believe it beSC for the
industrial life of the State hy making
peace and quiet. This class does not
consider the political phase at all.
Nobody can know positively W hat will
he the result OF the passage of the
amendment, but after shorL while it
may be safely predicted that it will put
an end to race disputes and race rancor.
Eliminated from influential voice in poll
tics, the mass of negroes will turn to- in
dustrial pursuits without beng at the
beck and call of lot of second class
politicians who use them for selfish ends
The first result will be to give peace,
concord and good feeling between the
races, and that will be good thing fol
the State in every way. Politically we
have no doubt that it will greatly benefit
the Democratic party and give it long
lease of power as in South Carolina and
in Mississippi. provided that by legalzed
primaries and every other possible way
the people find that the Democratic par
ty is the best agency for executing their
will The passage of the amendment
viii give this lease of power only if the
party is worthy of it. If it sh.:illd make
mistakes or get into ruts or be ruled
by the few, the absence of the big negro
vote will enable voters to rebuke it with
out danger of negro rule. 1t will make
healthier and better politics.
One of the recent articles about the
appeared in a communication III recem
issue of the Country Gentleman. 1t was
written by Mr.. Ii. Stewart, of Macon
county. We make one extract:
THE political question as to The status
Of the negro is, i think, about to be set
tied for good. Most of the States are
proposing an amendment to their con
stitutions which WILL / believe. be GER
tainly carried at the next election. So
far 9lo intelligent man with whom /
have conversed, without distinction OF
party, has made a serious objection to
it, and almost universally it meets with
favor. If it should be carried which
seems certain, it viii tend to obliterate
the ''nigger" question from politics, re-
store to the States the control of the
domestic government, and utterly change
the condition of things which has arisen
cut of the political status of the negro.
| believe if he is removed from politics
he will he very little heard Of. Then the
agricultural muddle of the South will
clear itself, throw down its dregs, and in
a very few years farming will enter up
on that prosperous condition which ma
ture has in every way provided for"
If we are not in error, Mr.. Stewart is
a Northern man by birth who has been
living at Highlands for some years. His
conclusions of the future of agriculture in
North Carolina are as gratifying as his
faith in the amendment.