The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-03
Especial TO the Messenger)

l.
dent to-day was thrashing given Tom
Massey. a white republican at Selma.
He cursed some democrats.
league, the populist who yesterday
caused trouble at Smithfield and was
made to leave turned up at Selma He
began a speech calculated to arouse
the negroes and was then stopped and
told TO depart. He left.
The local military We're kept on wait
ing orders here all day in the armory.
Loge Harris. assistant adjutant gen
eral, said they would be kept on duty
all Of tomorrow; that it was matter
of precaution. SO that in case OF any
real trouble they could be quickly
gotten away 20 it. He said there was
no disturbance to-day, and that the
really prevented it.
Some of the republicans We're init
mating that if there was trouble any
where it might occur at Winston to-
morrow.
Democratic State Chairman Simmons
said tonight:
The grossest outrage Governor Rus
sell has yet perpetrated is keeping the
soldiers here armed and in uniform.
believe it is an attempt to make politi-
cal capital and to intimidate and over
awe the people in a time of profound
peace. 1t is military usurpation.
There is not a suggestion of violence
calling for interference of the mill
tary. This action of the governor can
not be too severely condemned. 1t is
an outrage on the people of the state.
There is no explanation of 1t save the
overweening influence over the gov
ernor of Senator Butler. 1t is an open
and fragrant violation of the constitu-
ton and laws of North Carolina and
spirit Of our institutions, and onght,
itself, to arouse the people to the ut
most effort to throw off the last yes
tige of fusion authority in this state .
Some democrats declare it an overt
act which justifies impeachment.
Ex-Chief Justice Shepherd said that
after careful consideration he is Of the
opinion that any writ enjoining the
election, if such a thing is attempted
will be void and therefore, not bind
ing upon anybody.
READY FOR THE ELECTION.
Chairman Simmons says:
Everything is in readiness for the
election. The democrats are thor
oughly organized, better than ever be-
fore in the history of the party. They
will enter upon the election with more
enthusiasm, zeal, determination thar
any election in the history of the state
Indications are that We will carry the
state by forty thousand majority fol
the state ticket and that the amend
ment will be ratified by about the
n r1l.h hos 0f IL
legislature will be largely democratic
The democrats are confident but still
are at work. They will not relax their
efforts to the end. 1 predict we will
poll the largest vote ever cast by any
party in the state.
'"The fusionists have made a tremen-
dous effort to get up a row. First, foi
the purpose of asking federal troops
second, for national consumption. The
democrats have seen their game, and
being confident of victory. have done
everything in human power to prevent
an outbreak.
''It is believed the election will pass
off quietly, though the white leaders OF
the negroes have done everything pos
sible to provoke disturbances and irri.
tate the democrats to violent resent
ment-
There is tremendous feeling al
, eastern portion, against the fusion
leaders because of their efforts to in
flame the negroes against the whites
to interfere through the federal courts
with the election. and Of the open at
tempts of the federal office holders
under their direction. to bulldoze and
| intimidate our state election officers
THE feeling that has been aroused
| is not so much against the negro a.
- Il. l.
| In the eastern part of the state thes.
men are generally men of low charac
| ter, who use the negro to ride int
| office.
North Carolina has suffered in every
way from the constant recurrence IL
politics of the race question. 1t Ia:
| suffered morally. Intellectually, social
| Iy and materially, and our people viii
| feel that great burden, as well as Z
| menace. has been removed when tn,
| ignorant and vicious negro element ha.
been eliminated, and the deprave.
| white element who have manipulate
| him in the eastern counties have los
their influence and power for harm
The majority in favor of tn.
| amendment will be such decisive
verdict on the part of the white peo
pie against the negro In politics tina
it Is believed the race question will b.
regarded by all parties as permanently
settled. and no further attempt will b
made to inject 1T into politics"
OFFENSIVE PARTISANSHIP.
The following affidavit was received
to-day by Chairman Simmons TO b
transmitted to the civil service com.
mission and is a sample of many.
Daniel W. Baker. a duly appointed
| judge Of election, representing the re.
hi T. III I--8T l.. ~
Bertie county, being duly sworn, de.
poses and says: He Is chairman ol
the republican executive committee ir
Woodville township. and is intimately
acquainted with political proceeding
carried on in 1t by c.. H. Lewter
postmaster at Lewiston. and to hi.