The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-03-08
Cor. Asheville Gazette. !

Cor. Asheville Gazette.l
BREvARD, March l.-Wednesday was
q red letter day for those in this coun-
~ opposed to the constitutional amend
ment. Shortly after court took . recess
for dinner, Mr.. D. n. Luther was in
troduced to . good-sized crowd and
held their closest attentio for over an
hour. Considering the severity of the
weather, the crowd was good, consist
ing Of about one hundred, from both
parties. He spoke from the sta ndpOint
ness and illegality Of the proposed
amendment. In declaring that he was
not q traitor to the Democratic party,
but that corrupt Democratic partisan
leaders had thrown the party in false
and vicious light, he received many
congratulations from his Democratic
friends.
Mr.. Luther dwelt at length upon the
fifth section of the amendment, citing
numerous authorities both from decis-
ions of the Supreme Court Of the Uni
ted States and from the Supreme Court
| of North Carolina, showing that it was
clearly unconstitutional He made .
good impression when he declared that
| the advocates of the amendment had
acknowledged its uno0nstit1ti0nality
BY declaring that the legislature in
June would pass another clause "di-
recting the Supreme Court how to in
terpret the amendment" His aFgn-
meDt along the line of the imp0ssibili-
ty of the legislative, judicial or execu-
tive branches Of the government en-
croaching upon the provinces aud pow.
ers Of one another was strong and con-
vincing. His citations of authority
were numerous, and of the best source,
his logical clever and convincing
and his elOquence st times rose to the
height of inspiration.
If" said the speaker, "a Democratic
Supreme Court declared it disorimina-
tion between the races, to apply the
taxes paid by each race to the educa.
ton of the children of the respective
races, what will Republican Supreme
with law more drastic in its discrlm.
inatlonP"
Mr.. Luther's arraignment of the 4th
. section was q masterful one. SOphistry
and delusion fed before the search
light eff his logic like chaff before thu
wind All eyes were upon him. BE
, pleaded the cause of liberty and jus.
tice. And pausing in the midst of Al
earnest argument, and with the pict
| ure of earnest solicitude upon his face
, declared "Because I dare declare tn,
rights of you, my fellow citizens; be
cause dare protect the humble ant
3 illiterate citizen in the right Of hi
i, franchise; because I submit not to tn
robbery OF the poor school children o
3 my country. I am called traitor. 1
!. that be treachery, let them brand m
with it," The effect was like an cleo
trio shock. His appeal touched tn
emotions of his listeners as we'll q
Q their faculties of reason. 1t was q mo
t ment of triumph for the orator and TO
the cause he 80 earnestly espoused.
81 After Mr.. Luther had finished, meT
l., regardless Of party, crowded about biz
4 to thank him for his bold and honor
able stand. I use the words of prom
y inent Democrat, whom I heard I'D
l. dress him thus: Luther, 1 honor 20
R9K thap s1s7 d. Hszs s e.;
q you we're q traitor, but now I do nc
believe it. You are bold man to TAX
the course you have. believe you al
Democrat, and speak from homes
10 and sincere convictions"
This is but sample of what hear
u from the Democrats His speech hs
It has been discussed all over town an
continues to be discussed.
A number of Democrats announce
Is their intention after the speaking
20 oppose the amendment. Much goo
was done. Anti-amendment clubs wi
d soon be organized. Opposition to tt
amendment is by no means c0nfine
to the Republican party. Democra
see the danger lurking in the darl
ness. May we see Mr.. Luther agaiI
@. B. D.