The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-03-23
MAJOR HALE SHOWS VANCE's
OPINION OF THE NEG RO
VOTER.

We read with exceeding interest a
communication from the strong pen
Of Major l.. j. Hale. editor of The
Fayetteville Observer. in The Raleigh
News and Observer, of Sunday last,
concerning the real opinions of Sena-
tor Vance as TO the negroes, and the
statement of Jeter Pritchard, of
Brownlow's dominions. Pritchard is
trying to make the people believe that
the great senator was so ignorant OF
conditions and the real character of
the negro race, as TO favor their re-
tanning the right to vote SO long as
the whites voted. Pritchard gives the
words as these: LAS long as any
white man shall vote in the United
States the colored man shall vote"
1t is not known when and where and
uttered. Major Hale was an intimate
friend of Vance. They were much to-
gether in Washington. He shows
very conclusiyely that the noble North
Carolinian had decided views and con-
victions which he did not fail to ex-
press in his own clear, vigorous, fe-
licitous manner. We give an extract
from him in our editorial leader today.
Major Hale copies more from the same
speech and in the same connection. He
was speaking in the senate on the bill
for the deportation of the negroes. He!
said this, and Vance's whole soul was
in the manly utterance, and is in full
accord with what he spoke from the
stuup in his very memorable and
grand canvass for governor in 1876,
against ex-Judge Thomas Settle, who
Was par-excelIence the ablest repub-
1ican canvasser and debater in the
state. Senator Vance said:
<sTo these generals and their bayo-
nets was committed the task of form
ing governments for the people OF
these overthrown states. This they did
by holding elections under military
control, by suppressing the vote Oh
every free white man in those states
who, having at any time taken an oath
to support the constitution OF the
limited States, had afterwards done
anv act in aid of the rebellion, and by
thrustfne with military force upon the
ballot box the entire mass OF emancl-
mated slaves, to whom the rSnt 10
yate had been given by no law human
or divine. known TO our federatlNe
system. By the constitution thus
forced upon the southern people the
negroes were made voters and invest
ed with the like privileges IN all re-
spects as the white people
IF it be true that IN states Wnere
they largely outnumber the whites
they are either intimidated from Vol-
ing or are defrauded in the counting
of their votes, is not that q strong ar
sument against their supposed capaci-
ty for self-goyernment? Are people
fit to govern themselves and otners
-whe would suffer themselves tnuS 10
he treated? Is any man worthy Oh
freedom who requires constantly 10 oS
tI,tored and protected in its exercise
Is a man fitted to run q race VINO mas
to be held up in order that ne may
walk?"
Ar another time we will make an
other extract from Major Hale's valu-
able communication, but 1t Will De
from what he saw in the east, etc. Io
defend the departed Vance against the
insinuations or to shield him agalns'
the patronage of leaders in a consplra-
CIV against Vance's own great race Is
a work of supererrogation. The wnlte
men of North Carolina know preclsei'
what manner of man the illustrlous
and faithful Tribune was, and the!
wiil-never believe aught that could les
SEN his grandeur or soil his good name