The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-07-12
(Raleigh Post.)

vote TOT IL On MS ACCOu0t-NO
White Man VIII be Disfranchlsed.
(Raleigh Post.)
Taylor, N. c., Special.-Mr Editor:
/ was asked few days ago by Mr..
Claude Kitchin to state why was in
favor of the amendment and with
your permission, | will do so through
the Post. / am in favor of the amend
ment because, as far as it can, it
stops the black man from voting, and
as far as it goes and can, it educates
the poor white boy and girl. The
education of the girls is the foremost
and biggest question Of this age.
Because, it disfranchises no white
man, but is stimulous to all white
people to better prepare themselves
for voting and for the life they have
to live. One should vote with a party
because of the principles for which it
stands and for men because of the
principles they advocate, and not for
party feeling and party prejudice.
So you see it takes some education to
prepare one to vote for principle. The
amendment will help along this line.
But the greatest good will come from
the education of the thousands of
poor boys and girls all over the State,
whose fathers. being uneducated
themselves, are opposed to or are in
different to education. All true al
liancemen, Populists and Democrats,
can't refuse to vote for the amend
ment for education is one of their
fundamental principles.
This educational clause, if passed
and becomes a law, will be the big
gest thing for the country people that
has happened since the foundation of
this government. We need men in
every county and township in North
Carolina to fill the places of govern
ment. There are hundreds of town
ships in this State that need better
educated men for justices of the
peace and school committeeman, but
they have not got them.
The black man should not vote in
the United States, and especially in
those States where he is SO numerous
as. to hold blance of power. The
white man, Gods best and highest
production, does not need black men
to help make the laws, by which he is
to govern himself. He is not needed
in this capacity as a citizen, and if he
was needed, he is not fitted. | some
times need help in my professional
work, but l do not call on any one
who may be passing. because they are
not fitted for that work, so | have to
ask help of those who have prepared
themselves for the work. The black
man is not prepared to fill the high
position of the American citizen in
the exercise of franchise, nor can he
ever be so fitted in the United States.
1t is not only drawback to the
best and progressive political life of
the white mans government for the
black man to vote, but from every
point of view, it is destructive OF his
own best interest. 1t units him for
he must do.
1t tends to bring the black man in
contact with the white man in our
political life. This equality in no
phase of our civilization will ever be
tolerated by the white man. The
white man votes or should vote for
principles. and the black man never
does.
The white man, with his high ideals
of government for himself and neigh
Dor. votes for the principles which he
thinks will best maintain these ideals.
On the other hand, the black man has
no conception of principles, but is
used as tool to carry elections in the
interest OF party.
in check the high and progressive
forces of our Southern life long
enough. and | want to see change.
When the amendment is law, it will
not hurt the black man, but will be OF
the greatest good to him. 1t will be
the best that has been done for him
since the war.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we realize that
the political fight is now being fought
on the amendment for partv's sake.
We know that the party which con-
trolls this colored vote expects to stay
in power; now, il for no other reason
the black man should not vote in this
country. There is, and has been,
since the war. contention over the
black man, and parties hav: been
dragged along all these years through
this dark mist, minus principles. un
til the young manhood Of the South
is kind OF party sham. He is not so
well fitted as he should be to appre-
ciate high ideal Of government and
stand on principle. regardless Of par
ties. and fight for its perfection.
Let the amendment pass and thus
keep the black man along in that
sphere of life for which the old black
man was SO well fitted, and help the
young black man to adapt himself to
that position wherein he may become
as well fitted as his father, and all
will go smoothly between the whites
and blacks. H. F. FREEMAN.