The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-05

voked by the United States courts 20
prevent strikes and other similar expect
ed wrongs. Therefore Gov. Russell ar
CUES that here is a proposed constitu-
tional amendment that is admittedly un-
constitutional, for the reason herein
stated, and that to permit it to be voted
upon and perhaps approved by Il ma
iority of the people will be to perpe
trate a great wrong on the paople, and
therefore preventive justice ought to be
invoked in order to avert and forbid a
palpable violation Of the constitution of
the United States in connection With
this plan, a question of policy and expe-
diency occupies a large place. If section
; is constitutional, and decision to this
effect viii not impair the validity of tho
other sections, then section will be put
in force Immediately, thus establishing
the educational and poll-tax qualities
ton. Gov. Russell was asked his opin-
ion upon the point as to whether the
amendments must stand or fall altogeth
er, but as to this he declined To express
an opinion.
There are more white men in the
State who cannot read and write than
there are negroes. If section ; is struck
lowed to stand, the Acknowledgement
will be more against the whites than
against the colored If this fact can he
made plain to the white voters, they viii
crush out the amendment. The question,
therefore. TO be decided by the Gppo-
nents of the amendment is. whether it is
best to 90 into the courts as soon as pos
sibe or to wait and undertake 10 d.
ln 4 attv nv, aaly
the amendment the paramount issue in
the campaign which is now virtually
opened and under way. If the whole
amendment should be declared unconsti-
tHtional and void. this would remove it
as political issue and every Demo
cratic leader would swear that he had
always been opposed to it, and that he
was glad it had been destroyed. There
will be a conference of leaders very soon
to determine upon the line of policy to
be pursued.
We print this elaborate argument be-
cause it bears the ear-marks of having
been we'll considered by Republican
leaders. and is no doubt the policy they
will pursue if n Federal judge can be
found who will grant an injunction
against holding the proposed election.
And the Governor and Progressive Far
mer were making themselves hoarse less
than a year ago denouncing Federal in
reference with the rights of the States.
Now they want the Federal interference
they then abused. This shows that nj
the bowling then was for buncombe, and
that they would next year change front
again if it suited their purposes. These
are the leaders who are trying to de-
feat the Constitutional amendment even
before it has been submitted 10 the peo-
pie.
The article is full OF inaccuracies and
errors, as for example the statement
there are more white men in the State
who cannot read aud write than ne
groes." That is so untrue that it is not
necessary to refpte it.
1t is immaterial to the white people
OF North Carolina what course the Radi-
Gals pursue to keep the negro and his
allies in power i'll North Carolina the
white men have determined not to sub
nit to it again, and the Radicals III Will
mington. Laurinburg and Rockingham
and twenty other places know that
when the white men are aroused i'll
preservation of White Supremacy they
know no such word as fail