The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-17
CONVENTION Ill ADVISED
fHE NEGRO WILL RECEIVE JUST. TREAT
MENr FROM DEROCRATS.
h stead Of advising wholesale 'udisctiminate
immigration, Says Prf. Crosby, "L't
US Advise Economy, 1krf' ard
Fid,Iry to 0u'y,"
Fid, Try to 0u'y,'

To the Editor: The convention of col
ored mon which will assemble here ON
the 18th instant, excitcs much interest
among the colored people, owing to the
fact that nobody seems to know what the
real objects Of the convention are. Not
a few of the leading colored men are
of the opinion that the call is both un-
wise and untimcly, and fear that more
harm than good will result from the
meeting.
10 the writer it seems that this is
not very opportunc time to hold con-
vcntion, especially 50 since many of the
leading spirits are men who are fresh
from the scenes of political conflict and
excitement. and whose opinions may be
influenced by disappointment and the cN-
citcment through which they have Just
passed However this may be, it is TO
be hoped that personal injuries. private
wrongs ard political disappointment Will
have no place in the resolutions, pur-
poses and speeches of the convention.
1t appears to me that the present out
look is rather hopeful. and that thc
colored people need fear no damaging
or unwiSe legislation.
That some way will be found by the
Legislature to d:sfranchise a large mum
Der of colored voters in the interest Of
good government is foregone conclu-
sion This does not, in my opinion, inn
ply any disposition, on ;ha part
of the White people. to 4tarm or in amy
way impede the progress of the negro
not even politically. Few. If any, well
qualified colored people will be debarred
from the privilege of voting. and the
masses will suffer no harm as Il re-
suit This is the way il appcars to
me.
/ believe as soon as this suffrage qucs-
tion is settled. the former pleasant rela-
tions of The two races Will be resumed,
and that the negro socially, financially,
intellectually and even politically will be
rather improved than injured. 1t seems
to me the part Of wisdom TO surrender
gracefully 10 the Inevitable. The qdcS-
tion of the suffrage should find no place
in the deliberations of the convention
further than to accept il in manner
becoming the occasion. Let there be no
trickery. no political subtcrfugc. no at
tempt az playing politics, no false light
raised upon the shore to deceive our own
people. ana lead tAem intc pcrilons wa
tiers and stormy seas. Let us he hem
est. manly and trustworthy. Subordinat-
ing our private and personal interests for
the benefit of the people whom we claim
TO guide. Let lis not spend our time,
in lfassing unwisp, and in some respects,
foolish resolutions, canonizing worthless,
rowing. vicious characters who have
from time to time committed the name
less crime upon innocent women and
children.
On the other hand let MS. beth i'll pri-
waite and public, condemn such eharac-
tiers and use our best efforts to bring
them to a speedy and just punishment.
Let us deny in the name of the negroes
Of North Carolina any sympathy what
eyer.with the Manly article or any other
article which seems to condonc crime.
Instead of advising a wholesale. ndis-
criminatc immigration. let us advise
economy, thrift, fidelity TO duty and Il
pleasant adjustment of ourselves to the
present status. or in other words, let
us manfully try to remedy the evils we
now endure rather than fly to those
we know not of.
]. o. CROSBY.