davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

declaration? Are not men to-day proud
TO he called the descendants of the Alex
anders, the Davidsons, the Folks and the
Brevards, and others who put their
names to that grand documentE 1t
comes with bad grace from the other side
10 stand here and talk of white supre-
macy in this solemn hour, so pregnant
of good to the State, and tell us what
our duty is-those who never voted for
white supremacy and whose votes here
have been cast for what white SUI
premacy Is opposed to- From this hour
another ancestral date will be reckoned.
Men OF future generations will rejoice
to be named as the descendants of those,
who, here, stand and write their names
in the States history for its material well
care, and the liberty Of It's people.
In supreme moment, in the debates
leading to the French revolution. there
was a pause, and it seemed that the
wheel was turning backward. 1t was
then old Barbereux the delegate from
Marseilles arose and shouted: Send to
Marsailles for six hundred men who
know how to die"
They sent and the six hundred started
for the gay city chanting the notes Of
the soul-inSpiring Marsailes hymn And
as they came others joined them, until
there were half million men laundering
at the gate OF Paris. And the revolution
went forward. Scarce one hundred rep
resentatives Of the white men and wo-
men in North Carolina sit in this cham
Der. Small band to hold the destinies OF
50 grand a people. Let us here, and now,
raise the hymn of our redemption, and
as we fight for the glory Of our man
hood and wOmanhoOd and the guardian
of our Commonwealth, others will catch
the cry and two hundred thousand SOW
ereigns will proclaim in the coming cleo
ton the absolute freedom Of our State.
This is the day to take the measure of
men. The true son of North Carolina
must not fail her in this hour Let not
this revolution fail. We must go for
ward. In the name Of the fair women
of North Carolina, who have sat at home
covering with fear while you and
we're away earning the morsel of bread,
/ appeal to you"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

condition and to provide additional IA
cilities for their Improvement and adj
yancement. This, ] am convinced, the
whites will do; and as a result there will
be kindlier feeling between the races
than has ever obtained.
The negroes will be benefited and the
whites as we'll A considerable number
Of negro men who may not be able to
read will lose the right Of suffrage; and
for time that may be felt by that class
as personal grievance; but | believe
that feeling will soon wear away, while
the effect will be to improve them and
lift them up in the scale Of humanity.
There are among the whites also a
great many illiterates, and after few
years they viii derive this same adj
vantage from the operation of this
amendment. They will feel the neces-
sity of learning how to read and write,
and education will be stimulated among
them and the dark shadow Of illiteracy
will pass away from the face Of North
Carolina. 1t will be a great step IN adj
vance of our people and State, and alto
gether in line with those changes in our
material condition which are now de-
veloping the resources Of North Carolina,
energizing our people and increasing
their wealth and comfort in their homes.
No man who wishes the people of
North Carolina well can consistently OPP
pose this amendment. Every one who
would see our people arouse themselves
and press forward in improvement must
welcome the opportunity of voting for
this measure. No one can question that
its adoption is desirable except perhaps
those unlettered negroes who will lose
the right Of voting, and with them il is
a purely personal matter. From a dis
interested standpoint it will appear that
even they will be benefited in common
and along with all other citizens Of the
State. They will suffer deprivation Of
suffrage, but will receive benefits of far
greater practical Importance to them,
their families. their race and to the State
at large.
But while none can question the de-
STABILITY of the amendment some per-
sons do question its expediency. saying
that it is a change not warranted by the
Constitution Of the United States. For
one, ] say let's try il and see how that
may be.
If the court should hold the amend
ment invalid because it violates the
Federal Constitution, no harm can come
from orr having tried to adopt it. We
would be no worse off than we are now.
But the court cannot SO hold. M one
need be apprehensive on that account.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

oppressed. The safety of the white
womanhood of the State absolutely un-
attacked anywhere in the broad borders
of tie State SINCE the Sth of last No
vember) will be forever secured. Peace
will become our permanent heritage
and prosperity the easy achievement
of our own industry and economy Edu-
cation will be universally recognized as
the right Of every citizen and the duty
of the State. Power will come with
knowledge and nothing viii be .1ost
in the tillage of the poor for the lack
of wisdom" Material and moral ques-
tions will command the best thought of
the people and politics will cease TO be
our chief concern.
HOW TO SECURE THESE BLESS
INGS.
In order 10 secure these blessings
the Democratic party will, in the com
ing campaign, advocate the constitu-
ti0nal amendment. Many Republicans
will support it and popnlists, who are
Popnlists, will be found advocating it.
At the close of the last campaign when
Democratic success had become his
tory and while the Republican leaders
Were yet dazed by the size of the Demo
cratic majority, many of them rushed
into print the shape of interviews ana
many others in private conversation eX-
pressed the urgent hope that the Legis-
lature would disfranchise the negro.
recall distinctly that one of them, who
had enjoyed to the fullest the honors and
emOluments of office given him by the
undivided support of the negroes said TO
me very soon after the election: Il hope
you Democrats will disfranchise the me-
grove have carried him on our should
ers long enough--when the negro ques-
tion is settled many white men will
vote the Republican ticket" That man
now is opposing the constitutional
amendment. Why? He says because
he is afraid it will be held unconstitu-
tional. He is not afraid of any such
thing.
REAL FEARS OF SOME REPUB-
IICANS.
What he is afraid Of and what he
may be justly afraid OF, is that with
the elimination of the negro from poll
tics, a better Republican party will be
formed in the State, which will, if it
comes to power, put better and more
grateful men in office than he is. No
people that deserves to be free can
long be governed by ingrates and cow
ards, and this man knows that with the
advent of Drawer, stronger Republican
party he will be without job, hence
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
WILL IMPROVE THE NEGRO
EVEN If UNCONSTITUTIONAL NO
HARM Is DONE IN TRYING.
NO DENIAL TO VOTE BECAUSE or RACE
The State Cannot Deny the Vote Because of
Race, But Can Do So B cause Of
Characteristics, Argues Capt.
S. A. Ashe.

To the Editor:
When we consider the probable effects
of the proposed amendment, should it be
adopted, our thoughts naturally turn to
the benefits our people will derive from
it. To a large extent the race question
will be eliminated from politics and from
political measures. The political aspects
of that question settled there would be
no reason why the whites should not
practice every kindness towards the coli
ored race, and seek to ameliorate their
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
WILL, FOLLOW AS THE RESULT
OF THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDMENT.
MIGHTY STIMULUS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION
Hon. Chas. B. Aycock Declares, Il Have Never
Known One Mother Who Did Not Earn
es " Desire Tor Her Offspring
Something Better Than
She Had"

To the Editor:
The great victory won by the peo-
ME of North Carolina last year IS
about 10 culnlinate in the final settle
men. of the negro problem as related
ia the politics of the State. The con-
stitutional amendment which will be
adopted in August. 1900. will mark the
beginning of a new era. With the
conclusive establishment of white SUI
premacy ON a permanent constitutional
basis. a larger political freedom and Il
greater liberation of opinion will come
TO all of our people. Freedom of cleo
tons and the sanctity of the ballot will
be Secured The Democratic party will
be set free from the trammels of the
race issue and can enter upon a career
of economic study and legislation. The
Republican party will be freed from the
stigma of being called the Negro
Party" and interfering itself from the
rule of cliques and factions will greatly
gain in character and will have some
what more influence in making and shap-
ing wholesome public opinion. Discus
sion of politics and principles will take
the place of heated defamation and par
tisan abuse.
THE BRIGHTER DAY.
In that day and as the principles of the
Republican party are, If it should come
into power in the State one might rea-
sonably hope to secure even from it de-
cent and economical administration of
public affairs. The terrible strain OF
such a campaign as that of 1898 win be
memory of the past. Preachers of
the gospel of peace can proclaim the glad
tidings u. great JOY to all the people
unhindered by fear Of safety of the
State. Property will be secure in all
of its just rights and labor Shall not be
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

docs the occasion exist for this radi-
cal enactment? TO see twenty years of
decency in every department of State,
security Of life, fame and property and
of the States good name. in an hour pass
into an oraie Of ignorance, corruption,
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

mismanagement and disgrace which the
last few years have shown us, is an an
swer to this question To make a repe-
tition of the past two years forever I'M
possible in North Carolina is the duty OF
every man here who loves his State and
his race.
"The provisions of this amendment arc
plain. When it is written in our funda-
mental law no white man will be dis
franchised The white race in North
Carolina is self-goyerning. Self-govem-
ing men can govern others. The senti-
ment that this measure will disfranchise
any white man in North Carolina is false,
and falsely made for a purpose. 1t is
made with the view of adding to the
black column of 125.000 ignorant, vicious
and inunIerent voters sufficient number
of white men to rear again in North
Carolina the rule of Russellism and its
kindred spirit This amendment, on its
face, is too plain for any person to be
deceived by such false statement of its
force The voter thus deceived is wait
ing and willing to be deceived.
IF any restriction can be imposed ON
the suffrage this law will stand. If the
great tribunal of final arbitrament in the
matter, the Supreme Court of the Union,
stands to its traditions and its written
law and decided cases, then this amend
ment will stand. 1t will stand because
it voices the sentiment, hopes and aspira-
tons of honorable and enlightened men
the world over, that government should
be the exercise of the intelligence of the
governing.
"Every man here who now talks of
white supremacy must show his faith by
his works. Have we so soon forgotten
Newbern and Greenyille and Tarboro
and Wilmington? God forbid that the
memory of such scenes should fade from
the minds of a brave people! | am told
that there are members of this house
who were sent here on the Issue of white
rule, and who now hesitate about how to
vote on this vital measure because of
some implied promise not to disfranchise
any one, il elected. | shall not invade
the domain of private conscience. But
do declare that the hour is now striking
when it has become the duty of every
patriot to sink his conscience for the
public good.
"Surely they are simply nausing for
consideration. | trust it is the momen-
tous pause before the revolution. How
now would read the name of the man.
who. standing with his neighbor, i'm old
Mecklenburg, more than century ago,
refused to put his name to the immortal
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
FAITH SHOWN BY WORK
EVERY MAN WHO REALLY ia.
VORS WHITE SUPREMACY
WILL VOTE FOR IT.
"LET NOT THIS REVOLUTION FAIL"
Said Mr.. Winston, Of BERTHE, in Closing The
Debate in the House Of Representa-
tiyes in Favor of the Consti-
tutionaI Amendment

EXTRACTS from the speech of +. ID. VIM
ston, Esq, in the House of Representa-
tfves).
Mr.. Williams, of Yadkin, a Republi-
can, had spoken in opposition to the
amendment, and had closed his speech
with stating: MY people are people
through whose veins course the blood Of
freemen, and, with Patrick Henry, they
exclaim, give me liberty or give me
DEATH"
'.If." said aIr. Winston, of BERTHE, WHO
introduced the original bill, there is one
sentiment beating in the heart of every
patriotic North CaroIinian to-day, it is
the sentiment that has throbbed there
for four years-that they be given barty
or death. They prefer liberty from the
negro rule and negro domination given
them by the party of the gentleman who
has just spoken.
Every great movement in the constitu-
tional life of any people has sure foun-
dation. A peoples fundamental law
changes slowly. In the dawn of consti-
tutional liberty in America the cry of
the divine right Of kings was drowned
in the surging cry that the people must
have voice IN the councils of State.
I'm these closing hours of century
the descendants Of the men who declared
against the rule of enlightened kings,
dare to provide against the rule of the
benignted slave In the light of its I'M
wise bestowal and in the fuller light of
the base uses to which il has been put,
we of North Carolina declare that the
ballot in the hand of the ignorant black
man is a menace to our civilization.
A II
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
COL. OLD'S LETTER TO CHAR
LOTTE OBSERVER, JUNE &c,

Ioge Harris declares his firm belief
that the constitutional amendment will
90 through flying. When asked if Gov
ernor Russell held that view also, he re-
nlied that the Governor didn't see any
prospect of defeating the amendment.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

with him the amendment is unconsti-
t,,tional 1t will be so with all his
class. But with that larger and more
respectable class of Republicans in the
state. who really believe iii the princi-
nles of the Republican party, and who
ARE Republicans through evil and good,
fine elimination of the negro from politics
will be the beginning of brighter day.
They will vote for the amendment.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
THE ITNLETTERED WHITE VO-
TIERS.

But the Republican leaders are be-
ginning to express their anxiety lest
the mlettered white voters shall be
disfranchiscd. Since nearly all OF TINS
unlettered white vote is uniformly cast
against the Republican party we must
greatly admire the generosity of these
Republican leaders. The truth, however,
compels me to say that they have no
such fear The amendment expressly
provides that every man who could vote
in 1867 and the descendants of those
who could vote in 1861 can forever
vote in North Carolina, whether they
can read and write or no. This provls-
ion protects every white man and every
white boy over Is years of age except
perhaps a few foreigners. Children now
under 13 years Of age will, in order TO
vote when they become Il, have to learn
to read and write.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

EXTRACTS from the speech of f. ID. VIM
ston, Esq, in the House of Representa-
tfves).
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

Selma, n. c., Aug. 3.-(Staff Core
spondence.) This has been a great day
in Johnston county. 1t was the Occa-
sion of the annual re-union of the ex-
Confederate soldiers of the county. Mr..
II. w. Pom was the first speaker. He
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
OUR WORD WAS PLEDGED.
And Was Violated by General Otis, Say
The HOng-K Kong Jnnta.

And Was Violated by General Otis, Says
The Hong Kong Junta.
Hong Kong, Feb 21.-The following
statement has been issued by the Fill
pino Junta here:
Information which has leaked through
the Pinkertons sent by President Nc
Kinley to investigate the shipment of
arms to the Filipinos shows that the
first shipments to Aguinaldo were made
by order of the American Government
through Consul Wildman, hence the
Shipment per the Wing-Foo. The Ameri-
can Government subsequently telegraph
Cd to cease this, coincident with the
ahange of policy of annexation. Mr..
Wildman and Rear Admiral Dewey
promised to pay, but have not yet paid
for a subsequent expedition by the Alb
hey. authorized by Admiral Dewey, who
afterwards seized the steamer and she
is still held. Papers respecting this are
now in the possession of the Secretary
of the Navy. The protestations of Ad-
miral Dewey and other Americans that
they made no promises are ridiculous.
IN view of these facts. let the Ameri-
can people judge how the nations word
Of honor was pledged to the Filipinos
and confded in by them and violated by
the recent treachery of General Otis"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
LEADS ALL NORTH CAR0lMA DlES 1M NEWS AND CIRCULATION

Ana will begin the attack from without,
and these shots will be the signal for the
militia of Trozo Binondo. Quiato, and
Sampaloc to go out into the street and
do their duty; those of Pako, Ermita
and Malate, Santa Cruz, and San
Miguel will not start out until II o'clock,
unless they see that their companions
need assistance.
"Fifth-The militia of Tondo will start
out at O'Clock in the morning; if all
do their duty or revenge be complete
Brothers, Europe contemplates MS; we
know how to die as men, shedding ouI
blood in defense of the liberty Of our
country; death to the tyrants.
"War without Irarter u the falst
Americans who have deceived us.
Either independence or death"
The portion of General
Otis dispatch indicated by dashes the
officials were unable to decipher to-
might
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
MILLER CAN HOLD HIS OWN.
Native Forces Reported Disintegrating-
Small Force Driven Away

Native Forces Reported Disintegrating-
Small Force Driven Away.
Washington, Feb. 21.-The War De
partment has received the following:
Manila, Feb. 21.
''Adiutant General, Washington:
General Miller reports on the 10Th
instant insurgent forces few miles out
from Iloilo believed to be disintegrating.
Can maintain his position with present
force. Business i'll the city being resumed.
He has sent up four representative men,
officials from capital Of Island Of Negros,
where the American flag has been raised,
and American protection is requested
against small insurgent force in the
island. Affairs there and in Cebu are
very encouraging. Shall endeavor to
maintain and improve present promis-
ing conditions. Affairs here are quiet.
Small inSurgent force east of the city
driven away yesterday with considerable
loss to enemy.
(Signed.) "OTIS."
LITTLE RESISTANCE LIKELY.
of punctuation and regard TO economy
Ill CaUle IOllS, NeDefal OItS DulleliH IL
not very clear in some essential points,
particularly the reference to the Island
of 4Negros. \ careful study of the des-
patch on that point has convinced the
officials here that General Otis means
to say that four representative inhabi-
tants of the Islands of Negros have
come to Manila, having been sent by
General Miller to meet and confer with
General Otis in regard to an extension
of American occupation to that island.
Negros is the fourth island in the Phil
ippine group in Importance. 1t lies at
the nearest point about 10 miles from the
island Of panay. and General Niller's
forces must have been in plain sight of
Negros during the weeks preceding the
capture of Iloilo. Just to the east Of
Negros, separated by Il very narrow
strait, is the Island of Cebu, which it
is also a part Of General Otis purpose
to occupy.
From General Otis despatch it is
gathered that neither mt that point nor
at Negros is there likely to be substan-
tial resistance.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
NO MORE CONCESSIONS.
American Joint High Commissioners
VIII Give No Better Terms.

Washington. Feb. 21.-Without any
purpose to start a flood of recriminationS
The American members of the joint higl
Canadian commission feel that they
have not been to blame for the failure to
reach an agreement, but they are justi
fed in the statement that they have made
concession after concession.
1t is supposed that reasons of internal
policy, founded on the belief that they
would be in better position before the
session of the Parliament just beginning
il able to assert that they had refused
to sacrifice Canadian interests have
animated the Canadian members Of the
commission in their course. 1t is just
possible that better results may attend
a further conference Of the joint body
next summer. but while the officials here
regret exceedingly the failure so far to
reach an agreement it is stated positively
that the American side has made its
last concession and the Canadians can
not expect any better terms hereafter
than they have now refused.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
OUR PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Washington, Feb. 21.-The Senate
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds to-day made favorable reports
on public buildings as follows;
TO provide for the erection of new
buildings at Elizabeth City, n. c., $oJ,-
600.
Columbus, Ga, $4,000
Repairs were authorized on the build
ing at Macon, Ga, at a cost of S5S,000.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
COURT CONFIRMS THE SALE.
Receiver Fries Files His Report of
Sale of the C. f. and Y. V. r. r.

Winston, n c.. Feb 21.-(Special.)-
Mr.. j. w. Fries, receiver, has filed his
report with the court in session here, in
the case entitled Congregation of United
Brethren VS.. North State Improvement
Company. He says in December he
sold to III. Walters, of the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad all rolling stock be
longing to the North State Company in
Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad
for $37, 1850. He asked the court for
an order confirming the sale and for
a declaration of Il dividend of seventeen
per cent to be paid upon the debts of
the company.
The order was granted by Judge Al
len.
The Salem commissioners met to-day
and decided to accept the proposition
from the Postoffice Department for free
delivery, beginning July 1st.