The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-01-04
rat was guilty OF a gross mlsrcpresar.

ik1al WAS bftohE2N.
III the Democratic speakers OF the
'tate including himself, said Mr.. Luth-
n, had declared under instructions
iirect from Chairman Simmons. that
the Democrats were successful last
all no man. black or white, should be
iisfranchised. They all told the people
1t that time that Holton AMI the Re-
oublicans were liars. Had those
pledges been kept? He believed il
honesty in politics as we'll as In any
hing else. There Is no doubt about
he fifth section being declared uncon-
stitutional. Then in this western sec
lion OF the state three white men to
Jne negro would be disfranchised.
Il come here to represent the prin-
,iples of Zeb Vance," said Mr.. Luther.
who never favored denying any man
the right Of suffrage. II you will show
ne a single word Or deed OF Vance's
that he ever favored such a measure
then I will vote for it,
The emocratic party as whole,
Nr. Luther said, did not favor dis
reimbursement: it is merely few OF
the party leaders who favor 1t.
Mr.. Luther then read laws Of 1899,
showing that the act would apply to
all voters alike Either the constitution
CT the United States or this law. ;ne
CIR the other would be unconStitution-
al Which would it be?
Mr.. Luther read an extract from the
Wilmington Messenger before the last
election, in which that paper denounc-
ed as a stupid lie the Republican
PoDulist story that any man would
be disfranchised in case the Demo-
c1ats won; that if the, Democrats
desired t1 DO this, they had not
the power, etc That was only sample
Of the statements made by every DEM
ccratic speaker and paper in the state
What do they say now? They advo
cate a measure that will disfranchise
many Of the best white men in West
ern North Carolina, among them many
old soldiers who fought the battles OF
their country.
opposed TO WHITE DISFRAN-
CHIsENTENT.
i Call me Republican, a Pop
ulist. a dog" said Mr.. Luther eloquent
ly, but l am going to fight for the
rights of these old white-headeG men
in Haywood and elsewhere" A church
member OF Asheville had asked him
for his reasons for opposing the
| amendment. He replied that ne was
unwilling to see old soldiers and many
other unlettered white men put on thu
plane with negroes. The church mem
Der said that would all be fixed b!
| he registrars and judges of election
who would see that these men were
| allowed the privilege OF voting. MT
| Luther said he did not like the kline
OF religion that prompted such nefari
Gus methods. A contraction OF the iran
| chise means domination by the aristoc
racy. The fact was referred to, Iha
places like Ashevi.le, negroes had bet
| ser educational facilities than the white
people OF the country districts. Thes
| negroes would be allowed the ballo
while'the poor, unlearned whites Woult
not. The best negroes are the old slaV'
element, every one Of whom would b.
| iisfranchised, while the colored tow
| Jude who parts his hair in the middl
| and wears bangs would exercise th
| right of franchise. The speaker ha'
spent time and money in the interes
of his party; had always worked In II
| f.eS~SNo'
his Democracy; but if this measure /
ldcyted It will damn the Democrat
party.
'fMr. Gilmore tells you it will disfran
-hise negroes east OF the ridge; I sa,
t will disfranchise white men west o
the ridge"
INJURY TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
During the last election, Mr.. Luthe
said if the Democratic candidates ha
said what they now say, you wouE
| have had to rake the legislature with
inc tooth comb in order to find Dem
ocratic member. If the amendmen
:arries, poll tax cannot be collected b.
he present process, and in this wa,
our public schools will suffer, 1t woul
| njure children yet unborn. In my oil
home township in Bunccmbe count.
seventy-fve men would be disfran
,hised; in all of Western North Caro-
Lima at least 10000 would fail to NEE