The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-04-19
BY HON. W. J. LEARY,
Ex.SOIicitCr Of the First District, and
Now Chairman OF The Peoples Party
Of ChOwan COOnty, in an Address
Issued to The Voters of Chowan
County and the State.

To the People of Chowan County,
Greeting:
Having been appointed Chairman Of
the Executive Committee of the Peo-
pies Party of Chowan county. and
having accepted, trusting that I could
help shape the course of political
events to the advantage of the masses
of the people, and for the good of our
county, in whose welfare we are equal
ly interested, it strikes me that the
government of the county should be
along the lines of the best business
methods, which usually control men in
the management of their own affairs.
The people are the sovereigns, and
should look after their own interests
and protect every right which they
have and not suffer encrOachments by
any body of politicians or party. In all
ages, the masses of the people have
suffered from the domination of the
classes, and. as | understand the insti-
tutions of our country, they are so
check on the movements of the classes
and it goes without denial that we
have today from practical tests along
this line, the best and most glorious
nation on the face of the globe. 1t is
indeed the home Of the free and of the
brave, and long may it continue to be
the ideal government on the face of the
earth but will it be if either class is
permitted to dominate the others? |
think not. The greatest protection and
the most sacred boon of the freeman
today is his ballot; with it he is all
powerful and can shape proper legisla-
zion: but let him be once deprived of
this sacred right and | think | can
safely prophesy the downfall of our
American Institutions and the decline
nf our nation. I am. and | desire to adj
dress thoughtful men. free from foolish
prejudice either of party or place, who
desire their own welfare and the well
fare of our community and the State
at large. The politicians may for their
own advantage attempt to mislead You
from a fair and just consideration of
your best interests by appealing TO
your race preiudices, but | ask you to
think twice before acting. and look
we'll to what you do, for it is much ca
sier often time to do things than it is
TO undo them. We are approaching a
campaign which means a great deal to
all classes of our people, both white
and black, rich and poor. And one Of
the most important matters for the
consideration of the people is the Con-
stitutional Amendment.
In this discussion | want it distinct.
ly understood that | consider that ev>
cry man is free man and has n right
to vote any ticket he pleases, and for
the promotion of such issues as in his
honest opinion he deems to be for the
best interest of the country. If not, he
is a slave to the party lash and no
longer a free man, but under the bonds
of a political machine and is a mere
slave to do the bidding Of his political
masters-the politicians who are III
the saddle and do the bidding. This
Constitutional Amendment so much
talked about, as / have said. means a
great deal to all classes of our Neople,
but more especially to the poor |, >edu-
Gated man, whether he be a white man
or o negro, for his right of suffrage de-
Npends upon the result of the election
When think my friends on this most
important question. Are you willing tC
nisfranchise your white neighbor IL
order that the neg % may be disfran
Chised? Are the farl-ers willing to de-
prive themselves of the meducate(
white man, who composes at least :
Thspectable part of them, as a clas:
and who votes with them and aids
- them to check adverse legislation? Are
they willing thus to give up an ele
ntent which gives them strength AM
Alkwer, and without which the educate,
nd wealthy classes will have full con
rbl? do not know, but think not
- politicians will tell you that onl!
BTnegro will be disfranchiSed ant
yMeaten you with negro domination
4. aftd a thousand and one ills that yo
iiIxour SOBER senses know to be IN
Aw from the information that
IN. ,itthere are about $4,000 whitewater
in NE State who cannot read and writ
ak fiabout $4,000 negro voters and Go
cin5 knows how many there are VIII
Coflot read or write the Constitution
otiChis or any other State or govern
mEnt who therefore will be at tn
mercy of inscriptions registrars an
Judges of election. My fellow country
Laen are you willing that such condi
lions shall exist? You have 1t in you
Hands Now take the Constitutions
Amendment and read it carefully, es
<ecially the 4th and 5th sections, an
Iii a glance you will find that the poe
white man cannot vote If he does nc
bay his poll tax on or before the i
day of March of the year in which tn
vpte is to be cast. Have you thought {
tAis? And then again, after the yea
1bDS no one who cannot read or writ
utb Constitution, whether he be blac
Fhite, can vote. even il he has pal
Ii fpoll tax before the 1st day
M Ech II he comes of age after tn:
~ es:-eke % white boys who al
x, ,Mxly VI LOG ,th equal opportunities, IL
~ha EN- OF ooonty PsAer eS "A yea years s,a Of ag
leastI begro counties of the'neS ~ nase ~ u,
there here can never be any Z unaer u
In AL Che white people shall always !he
Statet Ind complete control of county Ie
to loYHtate.
PenoM We denounce the Democratic lie
] ha Nature of 1899 for passing an elecl
The aw, every provision Of which is C