The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-05-17
EX-GOV. WM. MACCORKLE

Montgomey. Ala, May 9.-Ex-Gov-
ernor William A. MacCorkle, of West
Virginia, was the third and last speak
e- at the race problem conference today
to discuss the franchise question. His
views differ from those presented by
Colonel Graves, and radically from
those presented by Mayor Waddell Ex-
Governor MacCorkle spoke in part as
follows:
''Never before did modern civiliza-
tion have such deep and abiding inter-
est in the ultimate action of portion
Of its elements as it has now in the ac-
ton of the people of the south.
II shall rather briefly, and in my
humble way, found my argument upon
-he basic PRINCIPLES of onr national
existence, and upon some general prin-
ciples, and not waste your time in
assaulting the outworks Of the citadel.
THE DANGER OF RESTRICTION.
THE infraction of the right of fran
chise, the impairment of the constitu-
I ionai right of the citizen to exercise
fthe franchise in South Carolina or Ala
bama, provokes the desire and willing
ness to commit the same wrong in the
populous city of New York or in Penn
sylvania. The passing of enactments
in Montgomery or Charleston, interfer-
ing with or restricting the franchise
against the spirit of the constitution and
| its amendments, provokes the terror Of
the force bill in the national house and
senate.
Men desiring to grasp unconstitution-
al power heed little the cry Of a people
| that any infraction of that great instru-
ment by them was caused by the over
whelming necessity of preserving their
civilization rom destruction.
| "Now, sir. the Fifteenth amendment
to the constitution, That the right of
the citizens OF the United States or by
any safe on account of race. color or
previous condition of servitude,' is as
much a part and parcel of the organic
law governing this country as any sec
ton OF the constitution. His privilege
IOf franchise is as sacred as ours and
should be as sacredly guarded. This is
the only principle which should animate
the life of free republic and upon
which it's continued existence can be
predicatod 7 challenge any transgres.
sion whatsoever without ultimate and
grievous hurt TO the constitution, and
as grave injury to the white man as
to the black.
To-day the old south Is being resur-
rected in a new form and exceeding
glory. New people are clasping our
lhands, and, as bone of our bone, we are
| bidding them welcome to the dear land
Millions of dollars start the music OF
the machine and the engine. Mills are
distilling their cloudy incense over ou,
increasing fields.
THE FIRST DEMAND.
''The first demand of this industrial
of political complexities. Its demand
regeneration is the absolute settlement
is even now insistent, and we cannot
il we would, longer deny its potentia
request. The state which does so de
lay will not march abreast Of It's fel
lows in the industrial progress. Thi,
demand Is as absolute and certain al
any condition which ever touched !,
commercial and industrial existence
Then arises the crucial question, hov
|, can we remove our political complex
. ties. give the negro his franchise an,
; preserve the constitution and at tn
, same time not imperil our civiliDa
ton? / reply that It seems to me by "a
: the best to adopt an honest and In
flexible educational and property basi
: administered fairly for black and whits
: NEGRO VOTE NEEDED.
4 when a question arises Of sections
: difference in the way. Of local policy /
e this country, as they are sure to aris
: in the republics life, you will need tn
: negro's vote, and most surely you wi
), get it. This condition is arising. At
Il rapidly coming. The south is no longe
1 great agricultural section, but it
o becoming a great competitor with th
l. north in all the commercial affairs {
our national life. You will need ever
q vote you can get to sustain your gret
= commercial politics. The north wi
v surely experience, as we have alread
d experienced, the effect Of the solid neg1
y vote. The south, most certainly, WI
N be ultimately insistsnt that the neg
ct vote be counted.
j. There is another and higher aspe