Evening star., 1900-09-27


in the state were placed under the solemni-
ties of an oath before jury 1t would be
proven by every one OF them that any ne
gro in the state legally qualified to vote will
have no difficulty in voting. and having his
vote counted as cast, provided he votes the
democratic ticket. A distinguished member
of Congress on the democratic side put this
question. Why is 1t thar North Carolina,
with a republican government and some re-
publican judges, and with a large majority
of her population opposing these wicked
methods, could not have fair ballot? My
answer is this: Our people can protect
themselves IL 1t were a mere question of
force. The friends of an honest ballot can
furnish more bayonet barrels than the enc
mics thereof. 1t Is not the numerical
strength of the Bryanites in the state that
makes the present disgraceful condition of
affairs possible. but it is the laws, placed
upon the statute books by the present DEM
ocratic legislature, that have taken away
the peoples rights.
"A statement of some of the means en-
ployed by the Bryanites of the state will
answer the question of the distinguished
democratic congressman. The republican
legislature of 1897 passed law for the
protection of the right of public discussion.
President Mckinley, in one of his messages,
calls this right AN essential principle of
liberty This act of the republican legs-
lature made 1t disdemeanor to disturb
any school entertainment or political meet
ing. The present legislature repealed that
law, and there was no protection for this
great right of public discussion, and there
were many sections of the state In which
the turbulent disposition of the Bryanites
denied this right to those who differed with
them. In fact, the candidate for governor
of the democracy in accepting the nomina-
ton alluded to the fact that Governor
Russell and Senator Pritchard were not
allowed to speak in the city of Wilmington.
What had that to do with the race ques-
ton?
NullihcatfOn of the Constitution.
II see some of the republicans north have
spoken of the action of the Bryanites of
North Carolina as new form of nullifica-
ton. 1 confess do not know what to call
it. Some of our great men, only a few,
thank God. have apparently lost their
minds. l take the following from the Char
26, from what was called in the Bryan
camp the great speech of ex-senator Ran
som:
u have seen the 18th amendment abol-
ished in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
and the other southern states. I see North
Carolina is about to put the fifteenth
amendment in the dust forever Senator
Ransom is probably the equal in intellect
of any man in the state. His age, splendid
commanding presence, and former services
to the country give his advice great
weight; besides, his splendid character
makes him a sort of darling among our
people. l have heard it suggested that he
would make f1rst-class bishop. Yet in the
cyclone of political fury you can discover
into what dangerous seas he drtfted. When
l registered to vote this year, l swore to
support the constitution of North Carolina
and also of the United States. l understood
that oath to embrace the original lnstru-
ment and all the amendments thereto from
No. / to and including No. 10. The only
excuse that can be given for these remark
able utterances by a very great man like
General Ransom is that all great geniuses
have faults mixed with their virtues that
resemble the flaming bush which has
thorns among it's lights. In entering my
solemn protest against these excesses in
the frenzied mind Of the Bryanites in the
state of my birth, the state love above all
Others l am simply performing duty that
1 know every loyal son Of the state owes
the state"
Free Silver Sentiment.
what effect has the reaffirmation Of 16
to / on the people of your state of both
parties; how about the free silver issue
generally?' Mr. Linney was asked.
Il am thoroughly satisfied from CONVEX
sation with many prominent democrats and
business men that they entertain nothing
but supreme contempt for Mr.. Bryans S
financial views. Many of the popuhsts OF
the state are satisfied with President Nc
kinleys administration because of the per
capita increase in the volume of money.
The unprecedented business life and pros
perity along all industrial lines have given
our people new hope and courage. Ana
very decided majority of them are IN favor
of letting we'll enough alone, and the name
OF President Mckinley possesses more
power today upon the popular heart, con-
science and intelligence of the people or
North Carolina than that of any other llV-
ing statesman. In view or results accom-
Bryan is rarely alluded to except as a
matter of ridicule,"