The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-07-27
THE AMENDMENT DEFENDED
By C. B. Aycock. ESD

THE AMENDMENT DEFENDED
By C. B. Aycock. ESD
The great victory won by the peo-
ple Of North Carolina last year IS
about to eliminate in the final settie,
ment of the negro problem as relateo
10 the politics Of the State. The con
stitutional amendment which WILL De
adopted in August, 1900, Will mark the
beginning of a new era. N1th the
conclusive establishment OF white su-
Dremacy on q permanent constitution
al basis, larger political 1reeoom
and q greater liberation OF oplnlon
will come to all Of our peole. Free
dom of elections and the sanctlty OF
che ballot will be secured. The Demo
cratic party will be set free from the
frammels OF the race Issue ana can
inter upon a career Of economic study
and legislation. The Republican par
ty will be freed from the stigma OF be-
ing called the NEGRO Party" and I'M
lettering itself from the rule OF cliques
and factions will greatly gain In CHAR
acter and will have somewhat more
influence In making and shaping
Wholesome public opinion Discus
sion of policies and principles will
take the place Of heated defamation
and partisan abuse.
THE BRIGHTER DAY.
In that day, bad as the principles
of the Republican party are, It 1t
should come into power in the State
one might reasonably hope to secure
even from it q decent and economical
administration Of public affairs. The
terrible strain of such a campaign as
that Of 1898 will be q memory OF the
past. preachers Of Of the gospel OF
peace can proclaim the glad tidings of
great Joy to all the people unhindered
by fear Of safety of the State. Prop
erty will be secure In all Of its just
rights and labor shall not be Cypress
ed. The safety Of the white woman
hood Of the State absolutely unat-
tacked anywhere in the broad borders
OF the State since the Sth Of last No
Wember) win be forever secured. Peace
will become our permanent heritage,
and prosperity the easy achievement
of our own industry and economy.
Education Will be universally recogniz-
ed as the right Of every citizen and
the duty Of the State. Power will
come with knowledge and nothing
will be 'lost in the ullage Of the poor
Cor the lack Of wisdom" Material and
moral questions will command the
best Thought Of the people and politics
will cease to be our chief concern.
HOW 10 SECURE THESE BLESS
INGS.
In <,y>Anr "a eecura <q,as> a,1aesin 90
the Democratic party will in tho com
Honal amendment Many Republicans
will support 1t and Popuhsts, who are
Populists. will be found advocating it.
Al 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 Dem
ed into print in the shape Of inter-
views, and many others tn private con-
Versation expressed the urgent hope
that the Legislature would disfran-
chise the negro. I recall distinctly
that one Of them. who had enjoyed to
the fullest the honers and emoluments
Of Office given him BY the undivided
support Of the negroes said to me very
SOCA OIL IC4 IAC OA0CGO0s 1xOQ0 you
Democrats will disfranchise the negro
we have carried him on our should
ers long enough-when the negro Ques-
ton is settled many white men will
vote the Republican ticket" That
man now Is opposing the constitution
al amendment. Why? He says be-
cause he IS afraid It will be held un-
constitutional. He Is not afraid Of auy
such thing.
REAL BARS OF SOME REPuBL1-
CANS.
What be IS afraid Of, and what he
Eray Justly DO afraid Of, is that with
the elimination Of the negro from pol
afics. . better Republican party will be
formed Ia the State, which win, IL It
comes to power. put better and mere
grateful men tn Office than he is. No
people that deserves to be free can
long be governed by ingrates and cow
Erds, and this man knows that with
ta1e advent Of 4 Drawer, stronger Re-
publican party he will be without q
Job, hence with him the amendment
es unconstitutional It Will be 80 with
all his class. But with that larger
and more respectable class of Repub-
aicans in the State. who really believe
in the principles Of the Republican
party. and who are Republicans
through evil and good, the elimination
0f the negro from politics viii be the
beginning OF a brighter day. They
will vote Tor the amendment
GHE uNuETTERED WHITE yO-
TIERS.
But the Republican leaders are be.
ginning to express their anxiety lest
the unlettered white voters shall be
disfranchised. Since nearly all of this
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 descend
ants OF those who could vote in 1867
can forever vote in North Carolina.
whether thew can s.oad onA ~rr-;&. -