The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-07-27
Evils of Ignorant Negro SUI
frdQe.
fBy Locke Craig, Esq.

bly of the nineteenth century will ma
terially affect her welfare during Tue
twentieth century. This Legislature
will go into our history as an ndus-
trous, economical, able and cOnsclen-
tious body Of men. 1t had greater
task to perform than any OF its pre-
decessors. It re-wrOte the laws govern
ing the States institutions, the pubic
schools. elections, railroads and other
corporations. Its work is the pat
form of the Democratic party OF l3oo!
The distinguishing act of the Leg
islature, and by far the most ampor-
iant, is the submission to the people
Of the suffrage amendment to the con-
stitution. The amendment means the
elimination of the negro element from
the politics of North Carolina. 1t is
L constitutional decree that the Anglo
Saxon shall govern this State. On
this platform the Democracy stands.
The Republicans have challenged this
amendment as unw;se and unjust. The
issue has been Joined. For thirty
years it has been lodged, evaded anG
beclouded. Now it is stripped of all
complication, simple, clear-cut. 1t Is
he crucial test between Southern Re-
)ublicanism and Southern Democracy.
southern ..epuplicanism now means
hat a hundred thousand illiterate ne
,roes, inspired by no patriotic emo
ions, who have never. learned the
,r;ce of the privilege they enjoy, nor
he cost Of the institutions under
which they live. are as much entitled
20 voice in the government OF this
State as u hundred thousand yeOmen
Who have made North Carolina what
is, Who realize that this land was
purchased and consecrated by the
blood of heroic ancestry. and that
)ur institutions are the sacred legacy
If the wisdom and sacrifice of our
fathers. Republicanism means negro
supremacy in the east, and a constant
menace of negro supremacy in the
State. Democracy means white SUI
oremacy in every portion OF North
Carolina. On this issue the two par
les have grappled for the death strug-
lie. We. are beginning the most event
Jul conflict of our history. The issue
vas inevitable. 1t has been forced by
he logical events and the determina'
ion of a conscientious and courageous
people to purify and elevate our poll
-icS, to prevent by constitutional en-
.ctment the humiliation of our race.
Ind perpetuate peace and good govern
nent in North Carolina.
The amendment will be misrepre
;ented. Every possible attempt will
1e made to deceive the people. 1t
will be fought with all the bitterness.
md malignity and rancor of the rene
,ades who use the negro as a means
# public plumber. But it will be de-
ended and sustained with a zeal, an
enthusiasm, an heroic determine ton
hat will fire the hearts of the patriot
IONS and daughters of the Old North
State from the mountains to the sea.
THE ISSUE.
The constitution of a State ought
% be the declaration of the funda-
mental principles of recognized rights
md just government. The Republicans
sllege that the amendment is unjust
ecause its effect will be to disfran-
.hise all illiterate negroes and no
white man, however ilIiterate he may
re, whose ancestor could vote prior to
1857. We contend that this is just
md measures up to the prescribed
standard.
Education is some evidence of good
citizenship and the right of suffrage.
fhe acquisition of property may be
Some evidence. But the true and high
st test Of the right to exercise this
power is manhood-n1anhood in the
ull meaning of that word-the capac
ty to know the right land knowing
tare maintain" This is the basis Of
Ill law and all government. The men
whom this amendment will disfran-
..hise do not possess this requisite Of
he right to vote; the men whom it
protects do possess it.
The great power of suffrage was
suddenly conferred upon the ignorant
md emotional black man. His i'm
Mediate ancestors We're unframed saw
lges in Africa, and he had known
nothing but life of willing servitude
de was least fitted OF all the races
II mankind to participate in the gov
.rnment of Il highly civilized society.
Aud yet being a majority in many sec
ions he found himself unexpectedly
possessed of the power to make laws
Is to govern. He was unprepared
ior it. He could not use it intelligent
y. 1t became curse to him and to
the State. An experience of thirty
years has taught them nothing in this
respect. All men now realize the folly
Of the fifteenth amendment of the Con-
stitutiOn Of the United States.
NEGRO DOMINATION RUINOUS.
The political ascendency of the class
who control the negro vote in the
South has always, without single
exception, been characterized by scan
dal, corruption, peculation and the
States disgrace. The negro is kind
docile creature, but he is controlled by
his passions and follows the leader.
snip of those who will arouse and ap-
peal to his lowest prejudices. He is a
vicious partisan in politics. He looks
upon one who quits the party rank as
4 renegade and deserter to be Ostra-
cised and prosecuted. He will know
no party distinction except color, and
recognizes no controlling principles ex-
cept the passion of race against race.
To make his numerical strength the
basis of his political power is ruinoas
to the State. This power should be
taken from him until he can learn to
exercise it in the realization OF the re-
sponsibilities of citizenship.
THE FITNESS OF THE WHITN