The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-10
THE JUDGMENT OF \ MAN OF
REASOS

We have known Elder p. d. Gold, of
Wilson. since July, 1865. We know him
we'll. He is a man Of excellent sense,
of high character, of genuine convlc-
tons. He is not a politician, but he
writes sometimes a prudent, Judlclous
article bearing upon questions that
concern the state. He has lately pub
Iished a calm, conservative article on
s'The Right to Vote" 1t is much
copied. Coming from the leading min
lister in the Primitive Baptist Church
it commands attention aside from us
,clearness and simplicity of statement
that so readily appeals to the under
standing of plain people as to the more
or less highly educated. His own par
ticular people have long been stauncn,
u~nbending advocates of a free gov
eminent and have almost invariably
voted for the democratic candidates.
They believe in a government OF the
people and by the people and for the
people. We take leave again, paren-
theticalIy, to say that Lincoln is not
the author of that true and genuine
OSIlOCIdIlC SSHllIlcIlS UoI AC SNONS ~
and used it in his famous short ad-
dress at Gettysburg. 1t is a fine, true
sentiment in spite of Lincoln's theft
and character.
From Mr.. Colds poper we make an
extract today. 1t is not fresh and orig
inal. Some thoughts have been present
ed by others. But it is of his own men,
al -1;-Tnoo xrifh hiC Individual GT2mn
upon it-deliberate, quiet. true. He
says, and our readers will thank us
for reproducing it here:
For the following, among other rea-
sons, L am inclined, in good will to all
classes and for the good of both races,
to state my view in this matter:
First. The history of mankind in all
ages has demonstrated the superiority
of the white race; but this superiority
should be exercised, not for the oppres
sion, but for the protection and wise
direction of the colored race.
Second. The genius of u govern
ment is such that the voters are the
rulers of the country. The best and
wiSeSt element should rule. Voting is.
therefore, a very important matter. We
canno expect to have good laws, nor
God officers of the law, unless the vo-
tiers are free from party bias, or race
n are also lovers OF right
and justice, and we'll enough informed
to choose men qualified TO enact good
laws, and also to execute them faith
fully.
ITO lift politics out of the filth and
mud of party spleen and bitterness,
and make it respectable by electing
only honest, capable men to office, is
an event much to be desired.
The right to vote should be held
only by such as exercise a judgment
directed by intelligence, and a manly,
honest purpose of choosing only ca
pable men for office. No class of men
not free themselves should be allowed
to vote. No set or race Of men, there
fore. under the letters of another class
of men, and always voting at their
d~1ctation, should be entrusted with the
ballot The negroeS recognize the re-
publican party as their de1iverer from
slavery, n always vote as the repub-
lican party dictates. 1t matters not
what is the policy of the republican
party, the negroes will endorse it. The
Shackles OF mental slavery are faSten-
ed pon them.
White men divide and form at least
two political parties, but the negroes
never do. They always vote as the re-
publican party commands.
I'VE hold that no set of men, white
or colred, thus owned by another party
are worthy to be entrusted with the
important trust of voting. Such men
do not think, do not investigate cues
lions. have no freedom of thought or
action, and fail to rise to any proper
conception of the object Of voting"