The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-29

men of unblemished character were
brought before negro justices or the
| a for trial upon trivial complaints.
the purest and best ladies were INSULT
ed and children maltreated upon the
streets. Finally IL became unsafe for
white women 10 trave on the public
thoroughtares, or to remain at home,
unprotected. n men went aimed by
day and by night because the law did
not AFFORD protection
It is not surprising TO those who know
khe facts that the white men OF the
east donned the red shirts. the badge
OF revolution. and that, in Lei cities
as Wilmington. all white men. not Of
hce-holders. Irrespective OF party. john
ID In a determined effort TO rescue the
city. county and state from such deg
redation,
The election OF November 1sss was
primarily a social revolution culminat-
ing in an unfortunate race conflict n
Wilmington where political conditions
were perhaps worse and n tension
was greatest
When the legislature OF 1889 convened
Ii vas met by an Irresistible demand.
coming up from all parts Of the state
and from all clesses Of people,. THAR
something had TO be done to render
impossible the recurrence OF such con-
ditions.
It was clear TO all that the suffrage
mus. be 50 limited as TO eliminate as
for as possible the dangerous elements.
How 10 do So in a pust and legal way
was n problem OF no small difficulty.
The state of North Carolina has a
more homogeneous population than
any OF the other American states.
there are no large cities or manufac-
turing centres, the people being widely
scattered through rural districts; there
nave been, up TO recent years. fewer
ton is descended from the original set
tiers. the men who founded the state.
and who have always taken an interest
in the conduct OF public affairs. and
who hav ever been willing TO night
for the state whenever its reedo has
been assailed, many or whom were call
ed at an early age TO the defense or
their country On the hills OF Virginia.
They returned after the great conflict
of arms with their property gone. TO
take up, under most unfayorable cir
cumstances, the struggle for a Hveli-
hood, and they have had little oppor-
tunity to attend school themselves or
TO allow their children TO do 50.
These people, having back OF them
generations OF ancestors who have
been participating in the responsible
conduct of public affairs. are not ignor-
ant of the principles OF free govern
ment; they may be unlettered. but they
have inherited the faculty OF. and an
aptitude for, self-government; have
taken. and do take, an intelligent in
tere~t in public affairs: they have at
tended public discussions OF political
questions; have been voting freely and
independently for any years. and are
fully competent to express their choice
as to the conduct OF the government.
1t is, we believe. the opinion OF writ
ers on governmental science, that there
iS Nc hatfQr raanS nf educating a free
and independent people, than by plac-
ing the responsibility upo them OF
participating in the management OF
public affairs, after hearing a full and
free discussion.
Public political discussions. however,
can be of no real value to n people
as a means Of education who vote as
a mass under the dictation Of a boss
For these and kindred reasons We
are of the opinion that those people,
whether lettered or unlettered, who
have acquired a knowledge OF the prin-
ciples OF free government by habit,
tradition and inheritance, ought not,
in justice. to be disfranchised. For
this reason the legislature submits the
present amendment. Its chief f~eatures
are contained in sections four and five.
and are substantially these:
ANY person otherwise qualified can
vote who can read and write any sec
ton of the constitution in he English
language; except that any one Of any
race who could vote. under the laws
of any state of the United States
wherein he then resided. on the first
day of January, 1867, or at any time
prior thereto, or who is descended from
a person who could so vote, shall not be
deprived of his right TO vote by reason
of not being able to read and write:
Provided, he has paid his poll tax as
provided by law; Provided further. that
such person registers under this law
on or before November 1st. 1908.
This plan Of suffrage does not dis
criminate illegally against any one. All
persons OF every race and condition,
can vote who can rea and write n
portion of the constitution in the Eng
lish language; and, in addition there
to, all persons who have acquired by
personal effort or inheritance, an un-
Outstanding Of the principles OF free
and enlightened government, can vote
1t has been said that the creation OF
this enabling clause discriminates IL
legally against the negro, and Is I'M
just. This we deny.
Not the least OF the blessings which
we hope to come from the adoption OF
this amendment is the great stimulus
which will be given to the cause OF ed
ucation.
The requirement that children OF age
after the year 1903 shall learn to read
and write Is easy for any child, and
certainly for the IONS of the great
Anglo-Saxon people; and with the in
enGv which will be held out to them
by this requirement, iliiteracy will
shortly be banished from our state. for
experience teaches that 1.-THE position
which gives the strongest stimulus to
the growth Of intelligence is hat OF
rising into power, not that Of having
achieved it."
GEO. ROUNTREE.
Wilmington, ". G.