The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-03

Five and the newly erected memDeY iffIn.e-
diately assumed his seat. When all the
aldermen had been thus changed, the
mayor and chief of police rendered their
designations: and Immediately the board
elected the new mayor and chief of police.
The then elected mayor called around
him numbers of the best citizens, swore
in hundreds of extra policemen and the
new administration, sustained by the
white men and supported by the military,
restored order. The result was that no
death occurred after the white men were
restored to power. For the first time in
weeks this community retired for the
night with a feeling of confidence in the
constituted authorities and relieved of the
apprehensions which had disturbed their
slumbers for weeks past Efforts were
Immediately taken to quiet the fears of
the negroes and to bring them back into
the city from the woods, where many of
them had gone in fright. with every as
surance that they would be protected.
SPIRIT OF PEOPLE.
All this, as said before, occurred after
the election and was done by the united
action of the white men of this city, in
order that they might have a government
which would protect life and property. 1t
is principle of the declaration of indie
pendence that when governments become
oppressive, the people have the right of
revolution. 1t was upon this principle
that the people of Wilmington acted on
that memorable occasion. 1t had been
hoped that the revolution would have
been accomplished without blood-shed.
Every precaution was taken TO avoid it.
Had it not been for the first assault be-
ing made by the negroes, as before stated
none would have been shed. 1t is Il mar
vel that it was accomplished with as lit
tie blood shed The people Of this COM
munity after months of anxious solicit
tude for the preservation of peace after
being subjected to indignty, insult and
the outrages of mis- government, afteN
feeling obliged to do police duty in order
to preserve their homes and protect their
firesides-were in no condition, when the
news flashed through this city that an as
sault had been made upon our guard and
that negro assassin had killed one of
our young white men Che recovered from
his wounds after several weeks of danger
Gus illness) to act in self-restraint or
moderation: and yet, the spectacle was
presented of the most splendid self-con-
troll on their part, and the subordina-
ton of those feelings which, unrestrained,
might have led to great carnage and
blood shed and the determination of the
negro.
On the following day those negroes
and politicians who had been imprisoned
were removed from this city under mill
tary escort and carried to the train
where a special car was provided; and
this was done not only for the purpose of
cxpelling them, but as well to protect
them from danger in remaining here.
The mayor, chief of police Deputy Sheriff
French. United States Commissioners, the
negro lawyers. and others received their
passports and will not be permitted to
return by an indignant community.
NATURE OF REVOLUTION.
1t was a revolution that was mode
deep-seated than a mere political move
ment could have been. 1t was not to
elect men to office that our people were
actuated. The student of history may
well know that no large body of men can
be united in movement of this character
unless there is a deep cause impelling
them This in itself is an evidence of the
stern necessity which compelled the rev.
oluton. When business men, professional
men, ministers of the gospel, mechan-
les, labOring men, men and women, all
give their approval and defense to
movement of this character, in this age
of civilization and culture and in a COM
munity like that of Wilmington, it is in
itself an unanswerable argument to the
attempt made by the Republican stump
speakers to minimize it as mere political
movement undertaken in advance in the
interest of the Democratic party.
The campaign might have intensified
the determination of the people, for the
triumph of the Democratic party in this
State and county meant the triumph of
the white man, and in that triumph good
government in our Eastern counties,
cities and towns would be the logical
result.
The revolution in Wilmington forcibly
illustrates two propositions.
First-The negro after thirty years of
freedom and the enjoyment of the fran
chise is utterly incompetent to provide
staple government where he dictates or
controls.
Second-The capacity of the Anglo
Saxon to establish and preserve good
government wherever he dominates. His
capacity, too, here strikingly illustrated.
not only to cope with an emergent situa-
ton. but in unfolding his own rights to
protect those of a weaker race subjected
to his domination.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF
THIS MOVEMENT?
The result that directly followed this
revolution has been most noticeable in
the social, political and business condition
of this city. Ever since that memorable
day, spirit of peace and calm and Sc
curity has pervaded the community. Hun
dreds of lawless negroes who had in
fected this town absented themselves.
There has been no more disorder nor
crime than is usually incident to any
city of it's size. The defeat of Judge SUIT
ton and the election of Judge Battle led
to the vigorous and prompt enforcement
OF the law. The courts are not now
infested by negroes. The sheriff of this
county stands the equal of any man in
the State for character and devotion to
public duty. The mayor of this city is
known of all men. The board of alder
men is composed of representative citi-
Zens and leading business men. Exten-
sive improvements have been made under
tiir direction in the way of the organi-
zatioD of the police force, the fire de-