The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-04
i. WILMINGTON, n. c., FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1900.

was such a greeting as even very few
OF North Carolina's favorite sons ever
received
Mr.. Aycock with deep emotion. said
he was profoundly grateful for the
manner in which Mr.. Bellamy pre-
sented him 10 this great people, but ne
declared tf-re was but once Vance
forever. CA -piause-)
Mr.. Aycock then addressed himself
TO a discussion of the suffrage amend
ment. He gave a brief history OF the
infamous reconstruction period, and Of
the subsequent peace under democratic
reign. Then came the years OF fusion
from 1892 TO 1898. when the white people
divided and the negro party got con-
troll Of the state. He showed that with
republica n-negro rule always came dis
order, bitterness, strife, and corrup-
uor. and under democratic rule law
and order were supreme. After a ter
rible arraignment of the republican
party, he declared that the democratic
party is the only party that can and
shall govern North Carolina. (Grear
applause He said North Carolina
wants to forget disorder bitterness and
strife and hence the dem Tocratic party
had brought forward this amendment
TO take the negro out of politics so he
would not be a menace in every efec-
ton to the civilization of the state.
CApplause.) He declared that it was
the purpose of the democratic party TO
be Just to the negro, but il did not
propose to be unjust TO the white race
which planted civilization throughout
the world. and was the originator of
government and law and order. He
laid down the principle that no party
can be greater or wiser than the aver
age of the intelligence which consti-
tuteS it, He said the negro conSti
tutes two-thirds of the republican par
ty, and of necessity the intelligence
and virtue Of the party must be bad
The party must give bad government
for II can do no better. Governor Rus
sell bOaSted that out of 500 appoint
ments made by him only eight were
negroes, but it was not the office
holder that constitutes a party. After
all 1t is the negro behind the officer
that is Objectionable and it is the 125,-
600 negroes that appointed Russell to
office. 1t is the party that rules, not
the office holder.
Mr.. Aycock then discussed the pro-
posed suffrage amendment in detail.
He said while the democratic party
sought to disfranchise the negro. the
populist party had already declared
against his holding office and the re-
publican party did not want him in
its conventions. The democratic par
ty proposes to disfranchise the negro
the biennial struggle that has gone on
for thirty years. We want now to set
tie the question once for all, so the
state can go on to a higher civilization
and develop it's resources and establish
industries. He explained that section
of the amendment provides that af-
ter 1902 no man in North Carolina who
can not read and write can vote.
The republicans say that is not con-
| stitutional, but the amendment as a
| whole is pronounced constitutional by
| Mr.. Rountree, than whom there is nc
| higher constitutional authority in the
| state. (Applause) The amendment
| gTf3 further than saying that after 100:
| all voters shall be able to read and
| write, for it contains another provis-
| ion that II section shall not apply tC
| those who we're able to vote in 1867, OF
| to their 61scendantS. Thus all white
| men in the state are taken in and none
| will be disfranchised. 1t is true that
| after 1908 those who are now under
| 13 years Of age who can not read and
i write will r. dsfranchised, but provis
ion is made for their education. There
| is nothing in this provision that will dC
| any injury TO a boy, so it is not OBJ
| Jectionable, aS the republicans attemp
! to show. On the other hand Mr.. Aycocl
| shows that i will be a great stimuli:
| to education, and is a strong point il
| IdNOT OI the amendment. he went OF
! to show where the amendment take:
| in every white man and leaves ou
| $4,000 negroes. Mr.. Aycock also eX
planned several arguments made b!
| republicans against the amendment
| He showed that the white man civilized
| the world and was a ruler by instinc
| and Inheritance, and that the negr,
was not. He argued that though {
| white man could not read and writ
he still had the instinct to govern anC
rule and obey laws. After stron.
argument for the amendment, MI
| Aycock concluded with a powerful ap
peal to the people to stand by tn
| amendment, SO as to preserve Nortl
Carolina from misrule, bitterness, hat
and strife, and that the state ma.
carve out the destiny intended for it
His speech was one of great earnest
| ness and eloQuence, and here We onl.
give glimpse of it. 1t made a profoun,
impression, and throughout the mex
| governors remarks, the applause in
| dicated that the democracy of Ney
| Hanover is solid on the issue.
RECEPTION BY CAPE FEAR CLUI
The speaking at the opera house wa
concluded about II o'clock, and 70
more than two hours thereafter tn
| state candidates were most hOSpitabl
entertained by the Cape Fear Club
This morning the candidates will b
escorted to Wrightsville Sound, treat
ed to refreshing view of "old ocean,
and feasted at big oyster roast. The
will go to New Bern on the Afternoon
w. and n. train and will speak ther
| tomorrow