The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-20

wrong, ana the judgment or lralneu
statesmen is yalueless, before their own
opinions, and desires, do not they rather
rejoice in the blunder of the Democratic
party, soon to see it's work undone?
No, their anxiety is not for broken
Constitution and disappointed Democ-
racy: they will lose no sleep grieving
over our check; it is only that they
dread to render up the talent they have
misused--to see the day of reckoning
come, and the opportunity forever lost
of holding place and power, through the
hosts of the ignorant negro, blind to his
interest, deceived by his corruptors, mis-
led by the arts Of the demagogue who
sacrifices principle. society and virtue for
a mess of pottage.
The fears of such men for the consti-
tutionality Of the Amendment can only
amuse-they can no longer deceive.
My friends recognize that | am no
lawyer qualified to discuss constitutional
questions. | would not if l could
could not If would, but | do most
solemnly affirm that the peace and pros
perity of the State, the safety of her
homes and fresides, the welfare of the
white race and the black race, in thunder
tOuSS ueUlduu Tic duOptiOu VI INC EhhAChu
ment, and to me these are sufficient.
pray that the Amendment may be con-
stitutiona for these reasons.
But there is one feature of the opposi-
tion which deserves severe condemna-
ton. II is the attempt to mislead the
people by the assertion that there is
danger that white men who are illiterate
are to be thrown out, and by this dis
elimination class government formed.
The folly of this accusation is only
equaled by its absurdity. Centuries of
heredity are behind the white man who
may be illiterate-his associations, in
stincts, traditions, are all educative of
the better part of man, the conscience and
the will The habit of hearing both sides
discussed of attending the courts, of
mingling with his fellow white man of
like feelings and aspirations, and his So
cial position in life, place great gulf
between him and the negro, in regard to
the best elements of education, which
is not book knowledge, but the drawing
out or development of character. Besides
these, he has his God given patent OF
race with all it's inheritance.
The every day man of the plough. the
poor white man in the country, if you
please is the salt of this republic He
mastered the Indian. he was by Morgans
side with his trusty rifle he slew the
Tories of Kings Mountain. In my genera
ton. he won the blccdy day of Freder
icksburg and hundred like it. and died
in the trenches at Petersburg-he shed
immortal glory upon North Carolina at
Fort Fisher, and baptized Newbern, Kin
x1,;4l Il l.,
blood | have lain by his side a private
in the ranks, in our scanty blanket under
the watching stars have eaten with
him the parched corn, and when his
brother was stricken at my side, have
closed his eyelids down in the repose that
comes to him who hath done his duty
we'll. Tell me not that the great Demo-
cratic party Of North Carolina will ever
suffer an injustice to the grandest, larg-
est, most unselflsh of all her people, the
plain every day man who knows his
rights. and knowing. dares maintain.
On the contrary, the Democratic party.
speaking through the proposed Constitu-
tonal Amendment, has expressly declared
that the uneducated white man shall not
be denied the right to vote; 1t has Gre
ated of them in recognition OF their SER
vices. and the illustrious record of them
selves and their fore fathers, a favored
class; he can vote whether he can read
or write. The Republicans, seeing the
great care of the Democratic party to
preserve to these people their franchise
rights. undertakes to degrade them from
their high plane and put them on equality
with the negro; and to deceive and mis-
lead them by the cry that the Amendment
will disfranches the poor white man and
the negro The Democratic party put
and preserves the uneducated white man
on a higher plane forever draws the line
of separation between him and the negro
The Republican party classes them to-
gether: that party regards one as no bet
ter than the other.
The Amendment challenges the support
of every well-wisher of his fellowrman,
ire spective of party. 1t is embodied COM
mon sense. 1t is in the most straight
forward way, proposition for the perna-
hence protection and lasting benefit or
every substantial business, and deserves
the support of the sensible business men
on the ground of enlightened self interest,
no less than OF patriotic devotion to the
State.
The honest Republican should support
it, because it's adoption will so far take
the negro out of politics, as to enable him
to present the views of his party without
the danger Of, and odium attached to,
black domination.
The sincere populist should vote for it,
because as a measure of reform it Is in
line with his aspirations for Improvement
in legislation, and is in direct opposition
to monopoly. which triumphs by use OF
votes that can be purchased.
The Democrat who is worthy OF the
name will not only vote for it, but work
for it to the triumphant end of victory,
for the sake of all that he holds dear in
the civilization received from his fathers,
the preservation of republican liberty,
the hopes and happiness of the genera
tions to come.
The patriot of whatever shade of politi-
cal opinion upon policies where division
CT sentiment is possible. may well unite,
ought to unite with the men of his race
who have resolved. once and for all, to
set the corner stone of government in it's
cid foundation, committing 1t as Jeffer-
son had il, to those only who have the
exercise of reason and freedom of opin-
ion
We need 1t by every consideration of