The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-18
J.uy 5tlr5srn9er.
HAVE THE "PAkTlNG OF THE
WAYS, REALLY GOMEZ

VAYSo REALLY GOMEZ
There are some calm, quiet, clear u
discussions now appearing in the south
ern press relative to the great question
that of the races in this end Of the
empire. Will the two races live lii
peace, or shall there be constant excite
ment over racial disturbances. or shall
steps be taken to separate the two
races, or what shall be done? The
governor of Georgia and other leaders
have considered that the question is
critical, and that "the parting OF the
ways" las really come. d OF
thousands of white men agree Win
Hon. Pope Brown, II what he said, and
anon which the Messenger commented.
We would like to see the very vexing
question settled in peace, for it IS load
ed with dynamite. The recent out
breaks, the repeated assaults of negro
brutes upon white women and children,
and the failure Of the negro race TO
move in it's suppression but serve to
influence more the minds Of the whites
and TO make more perillous the condl-
ton. The Richmond Dispatch is not
an extreme or bitter paper towards the
negroes. But it looks at facts n
conditions as they are and it sees Vex-
alton and changes ahead. In its issue
of last Friday at some length it dis
cussed the question Of the separation
of the races in the south. The Dis
patch says:
d. what excites the anger of the
whites and makes their blood Doll IS
that the negroes, as a rule, do little or
nothing to repress or condem the crlml-
nal tendencies of their youth.
1T is true that from time to time We
are assured by organized bodies OF ne
groes hat they do not co~untenance
these crimes and have no sympathy
with the criminals; but such hne
words butter no ~parsnips." AS a race
they do nothing to put a stop TO these
violations of the law.
But it may be asked, What can they
do? ~ Gx-12Zi3
eve answer that they can 90 a
great deal. They can do what other
peoples do to make crimes detestable
and dangerous. They can preach and
teach against it. They a proscrlDe
the villains in their homes. They can
make criminals as obnoxious as they
use to make the men who were sus-
pected of voting with the whites. Don't
ask. What they can do? Among no
people on earth is the communal bond
stronger than it is with the blacks.
If it could but be exercised on Denall
of our helpless and trembling country
women who stand in constant dread OF
assault, the effect would be immediate
and inspiring. Instead OF that, tne
usual thing is for the negroes 10 al
feet to believe in the innocence Oh the
accused, and often they go a step farth-
err and makes insinuations against Inc
character of the poor victim OF british
lust"
That makes a very disagreeable show
ing. But is not the statement correct!
All know how easily the entire negro
race would unite against the true whites
and at the call of the white bosses.
Russell said the black crowd could De
"whooped up" in twenty-four hours.
They have not acted either unitedly or
with earnestness against the damnable
ssaults by the devils of their race upon
the mothers, wives and daughters OF
the white men. They have listened
with interest and credulity to the foo
and enemies up north who nave de-
nounce ~lynchings and condoned the
great crime of rape. The Dispatch
farther says:
But in our opinion this crime, which
is increasing, not decreasing, will not
be cured till the best elements IN the
negro population stand up against IT,
The whites who are trying to create a
nublic sentiment against lynch law are
not receiving from the blacks the help
they deserve.
I'VE despair of seeing the usual
crime'-or, as som have called 1t, the
freedman's crime'-desisted from SO
long as the two races dwell together IN
the same communities, and whilst the
enginery of the negro communal Dond
is not visibly exerted against the lust
full Offenders
- ExAN SrASE IN