The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-12
The intelligent Public Senti-
mtnt of the Country
Will Sustain it.
CLEARLY CONSTITUTIONAL
WHITE SUPREMACY CAN BE
MADE PERMANENT ONLY BY
IT'S RATIFICATION.
IT DIsfRANChISts M WHITE VOTlR
restriction Of the Suffragr of the Mass Of Ig-
norant Negroes Necessary TO Pres I've
the Civilization Of The State.

nOIdHl veg UeS necessary ~ IeS0iNc
the Civilization Of The State.
The action of the~caucus in agreeing
upon the Constitutional amendment to
be submitted at the next general cleo
ton has been universally approved.
When it has passed both Houses by
the necessary three fifths majority, there
will be congratulation anG rejoicing all
over the State.
ADMIRABLE IN EVERY RESPECT.
Being asked yesterday his views,
Chairman Simmons said:
Il have been absent from the city for
a few days, and have only seen the COM
pleted text of the amendment this morn
ing regard it as admirable in every
respect 1t will, in my judgment, ac-
'complish the purpose which the mass
of the white people of the State have in
view in asking the Legislature to submit
an amendment to the constitution to the
people.
Il am confident that the amendment
will be ratified by a decided majority.
Its adoption will secure the permanent
people, and this paramount object can
not he accomplished in any other way.
THE Democratic party promised the
people white supremacy in the late cam
naign, and it was upon that promise
above all others that the party won the
signal victory of November the Sth, and
| am thoroughly convinced that a fail
IRE to keep this promise would be dis
astrOus to the party. Under the amend
ment no white man will be disfran-
hised. no matter how poor or ignorant
he may be- and such negroes as are quail
fled to exercise the suffrage, or who
nay hereafter qualify themselves to ex
,rcise it will be permitted to enjoy it.
..The best interest of the State requires
hat this restriction should be imposed
,pon this race whose incompetency for
he suffrage has become menace to its
welfare.
THE intelligent public sentiment of
his country will sustain us in the de-
prmination to permanently eliminate
his mass of ignorance from the privilege
If suffrage.
Il have no doubt about the constitu-
ionality of the measure as agreed upon
" the caucus. In a legal sense it is no
discrimination against the ignorant ne
.ro. 1t simply recognizes a difference in
hereditary intelligence difference
which is well known by every well in
formed student of racial qualities and
characteristics
THE adoption of this amendment
means new epoch in the history of
North Carolina progress. 1t will inspire
confidence, both within and without the
State in its future which nothing else
an possibly inspire. We have reached
hat point in the history of our develop
lent as a State when nothing else is
necessary TO insure the greatness of its
uture, except the certainty of wise and
ust internal administration of public
fairs.
1.-THE people of North Carolina are TO
congratulated upon electing a Leg
stature such as the present. whose con
Iteration of this and other germane pub
ic questions has demonstrated its ca
acity to deal with great public ques-
ions with wisdom, conservatism and
ignal discretion and patriotism. The
resent Legislature is undoubtedly
:reat and wise deliberative body-the
.reatest in my Judgment that has been
assembled in this State during the CEN
ury."
The following short views have been
furnished by request:
1T IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
To the Editor: l am very glad that
he compromise was made on the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution,
king the limit for registration at a.
D., 1908. Ii no limit had been fixed
/ do not think the amendment would
have stood the test of constitutioTality.
1t seems to me that the result of
he caucus discussion ought to be salts
factory to all Democrats. 1t certainly
is matter of vital Importance to the
State that there shall be no further pos
sibility of negro domination, and the
proposed amendment seems to offer the
only permanent relief l. trust it will
pass both Houses by an overwhelming
eote, and ] feel confident, if it does.
hat the people will ratify their action
by a great majority.
Yours truly.