The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-02

In the center OF your hearts and there
enthFone your consciences and give that
monarch absolute sway: then put these
questions to yourselves:
What is the will of God concerning
these negro citizens?
Should Jesus come to this country and
to North Carolina, what would He dot
Would He bemean them!
Would he heap indignities upon them?
Would he do or say anything that, by
the remutest application, would cncour-
age lynch laWlcssness or that would eX.
tenuate the enormity of the crime?
Would He drive them from their homes
and dear ones and virtually confscate
their property the result Of lives Of toll
and sacrifice!
Would He taunt them of the ignorance
which was forced upon them by the laws
of the State!
Would He tell them that because Of
their Ignorance and poverty and help
lesSness and humility that they should
be deprived of the only means of pro-
lection which man has under. our gov
crnmcnt--bc deprived Of the right of rep
resentation which as secured by his vote
bOuiQ Ilt SLY lIIdL tlt' ldN uiHiiti
which is sought to accomplish this, in
view OF the provisions of the Constitution
OF the United States, is constitutional
and just?
What would Jesus do?
We know that there must be thousands
Of Christian men who have not invited
the Divine Light upon their political ac-
tons. They have generally bowed to the
1x,l,1
hoping that their acts would be for the
best We appeal to them to put the
above questions to themselves and be
upon their souls:
What would Jesus do?
Should you refuse this, the only means
Of settling what many Of You deem the
most obstinate question now before the
American people; should you reject this
appeal and turn deaf ear to our en-
treaty; should YOU determine to do that
which we so much dread. we have no
power to prevent it For us there viii be
hut one remedy. We shall be compelled
to seek a home in some other land-a
better country. There could be no better
evidence OF our nniirness for citizenship
than our Willingness to remain here under
vail after the proposed amendment shall
have been adopted. Your lands will be
depopulated Of the best and cheapest la
Dor that will ever be available to You.
The great industrial progress Of your
cities wifi be checked. The situation will
invite from the over-crowded cities of
the North class Of laborcrs who will
bring ITO YOU every conceivable element
OF lawlessness. You will find that You
have opened a Pandora's Box of ills be-
hind which there will be left but one
hoppe Christianity. You will have in
augurated another irrepressiblc conflict
and may 1ook for long train Of baneful
consequences.
We plead earnestly with you. We ut
ter no threats We love our State. We
desire to see it prosper. 1t will be the
saddcst day in the history of our
race when the decree goes
forth that We must turn our backs
upon the land of our nativity; the
land that has been enriched by the sweat
and blood of our fathers. and mellowed
by their dust; and seek homes i'll
strange land and among a strange peo-
pie, or live under conditions which no
race worthy of your respect could en-
dure We speak these words because we
know Of the unrest, the anxiety. and the
fears OF our people Thousands of them
have already left the State. These are
among the most thrifty, fugal. and val
liable OF the colored citizens of the State.
Other thousands have been deferred i'll
the hope that when partisan prcjudices
and passions shall have subsidized peace
anil happiness will again spread their
,I,n nd
will move on in the direction Of a SPLEEN
did era.
To the pcop.e. of our race we would
utter n few words of caution and en-
rnuragcmcnt BE Industrious Find
work TO do and then do it as promptly
and rs we'll. if not better, than any one
else Educate Your children and teach
them TO work. Keep them from running
at large III bad company. One of the
greatest evils now affecting the race Is
the indifference of parents 10 the proper
raising Of their children. We urge that
as far as possible. you give Your children
trades. cultivate the confidence aud seek
the advice of the best white people III
the community accessible to You. Obey
the law and keep Out of the court houses.
Frown down all 1awlessness as far as
You can, but we urge that special efforts
be made TO rid our own race Of the
charge most frequently urged as an eX-
cirse for lynching. So far as any among
us are guilty Of this heinous offense, we
should seek 10 apprehend linn and lend
every possible effort to the officers of
the taw in effecting his capture and pun
ishnemt by the law Be prudent in
word and decd. Let no act of ours fur
nish a cause for strife. Attend your
churches ana Sunday schools. Make
your Bibles the guides of your lives.
Read them daily. Cease to look to po-
iitical parties 10 protect You in the pos
session and exercise Of your rights and
privileges as free people. Trust in
God and obey His commands, and you
need not fear the result. If the way seems
dark now, it is not because there is no
hope. This gloom may be Gods method
of discipline He may belle is. if we
trust Him-preparing us for higher life
of grander purposes. That precious
promise is still good.
And the Lord shall establish thee
holy people unto himself, as he hath
sworn unto thee, If thou shalt keep the
commandments of the Lord thy God
and walk in his ways