The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-10
Race QUESTIONS ARGUED
Many Suggestions Made at the
Southern Conference.
Several of the Speakers Tnkc Ad-
Nanccd Ground md Advocate Re-
peal of the Fifteenth Amendment
Others Favor Isolation os the
Reconsideration and the BALLOT.

MONTGOMERY, Ala, May All grades
of people are attending the sessions OF the
race conference here. under the auspices
of the Southern Society. and intense in
terest in the meetings is being manifested
by both whites and blacks. The opening
address was delivered by Col. Alfred
Moore Waddell, mayor of Wilmington.
n. c.
Colonel Waddell was an actor in the
stormy scenes of two years ago in North
Carolina, when part Of the State and city
government was wrested from negro rule.
He pictured the condition Of affairs where
the execution of the law is in the hands
of the negro. He said crime stalked about
unchauenged. White women could not
walk alone upon the streets without III
suit Burglaries occurred nightly. He
declared that the unrestricted ballot OF the
negro was a menace to society. He added;
''The Southern people. amid all the
calamities that have befallen them. Lave
expended about 500. .G00, 900 for the educa-
tion OF the negroes since the year ls'o
and yet with every succeeding year they
have become as a race less fitted for the
duties of citizenship and more and more
a menace to civilization and good govern
ment These are not wild and exagger-
ated statements, but facts capable OF
proof.
THE true remedy for it is TO be found
in the repeal or modification of the fif-
teenth amendment. The repeal of the
amendment would not necessarily mean
the total disfranchisement of the negro.
The question of suffrage would be re-
mitted 10 the States where it rightfully
belongs And ! believe that the good
people of the South would eventually ac-
cord to the better class OF negroes the
right to vote
Mayor waddeil unquestionably voiced the
sentiment of the audience. John Temple
Graves, of Atlanta, was the second speaker
fIr. Graves solution of the problem was
separation of the races. In the Western
part of our country, he said. a negro State
should be founded. No white man should
have the right to vote or the right to hold
property. Let the negroes find their homes
there.
The speech of former Governor McCor-
kle showed the aim of the conference. that
all shades of opinion should find express
sion. had been attained. He-took issue
with the speakers who had gone before
him. He was opposed 10 the disfranchise-
ment Of the negro.
The speaker explained in preface that he
was Southern man. that he had always
been one. and would always be one. The
right of suffrage was the fundamental
principle of our Government. To deprive
a class of citizens of that would be TO en-
danger its structure. He was opposed tc
separation. The negro would attain hi;
highest development with the white mar
of the South. Side by side the two race
should work out their destiny. At thi
close of his address the conference wa
opened for general discussion. Mr. W. II
McKellar of Lowndesboro. took issue witt
former Governor McCorkle. He lived il
the black belt and knew the evils of al
unrestricted ballot He was in favor of tn
repeal Of the fifteenth amendment.
Several delegates argued in favor o
speedy trial and speedy Justice before th'
courts as remedy for lynching in th'
South
Col Hilary A. Herbert was elected
president of the society. and Rev. f. C
Murphy permanent secretary. The nigh
session, which continued until almost mi
night, was full of interest. Dr. H. B
Frissell. President of the Institute a
Hampton Va. and DIR. J. l.. NJ. Curry o
the Peabody Fund made able argument:
In favor of the education Of the negro
DIR. Curry insisted that no white man nol
negro should be permitted TO vote un,es.
he was possessed Of fundamental cduca-
tien.
The features Of tomorrow's session will
be the discussion of the negro in relation
to religion and the subject Of lynching as
q penalty for criminal assault. These will
be discussed by such men as the Rev. DR.
Guerry of the Southern University; Rev.
DIR. Brown, Of Clinton, s. c.; Father
Slattery, of Baltimore; Clifton Breckin
ridge, Of Arkansas. and Alex. c. King. of
Atlanta