The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-19

shall hold office, but let us also say that
we are in favor of the repeal of the 14th
and 18th amendments, so as to relegate to
the States the right to regulate its suf-
frage. After that is done how would you
qualify suffrage?
Il make bold to say | would qualify it
alone On racial lines. | would write it
bold and stable and strong. I'd make it
so every white man, however humble or
wealthy, could vote. I'd make it equally
as strong that no man of the African race
could vote.
Il want TO say to the people of this
convention that this is the white mans
country and his continent; that he wrest-
ed it from the wild man and the still
wilder beast. He freed it from British
tyranny. He has made it what it is and
it is absolute foolishness to suppose that
he is not going to rule it.
'It's better for the negro as a race
that he be out of politics in this country.
Applause), and once the colored man is
out of politics. he can trust the white
man, to guard his interests.
Il know that it has been said that every
man who is governed by the law ought
to help make the law, but that man was
talking about white men,
Mr.. Skinner declared that the negro
question could not be solved to his notion
without first repeating the 14th and 18th
Amendments of the Constitution. He
added:
Lets be honest with ourselves and the
people. We've played politics. We've
played it great many times. The truth
about it is that we've been playing it
great many years. Let's quit it. If we
are for Bryan let's say so; if we are OPP
posed to niger rule let's say SO. For
these two things I'm here to contend.
Il want this amendment left for settle
ment without party bias. Let every in
dividual citizen decide it as he thinks
best Don't take the burden of this thing
on your shoulders. It's not your fight
and it's not you that's hurt
These singing words brought to his
feet DR.. Thompson, who had been kissing
for the empty honor of nomination for
Governor.
Il have never pandered to the Demo
cratic party in the past and so help me
God l never will he began. and his
words were greeted with a very thunder
burst of applause.
Col. Skinner and | have been friends
If he has grievances against Marion But
Ter he has no business bringing them
here to involve me in them. 1 have cam
paigned North Carolina and propose to
again canvass this State. / believe the
people of North Carolina consider me as
honest as any other Populist. 1t makes
no difference to me whether I'm on the
;al,o 7 do
You know and | know that this plat
form will be adopted, and no man who
ought to have been in the Democratic
convention. and who got here too late on
a sort of freight train, can prevent it..
You can have a vote by counties if you
want it. MANY voices, Let's have it'O.
No, it will only take time. l now moved
that the platform be adopted by rising
vote.
The delegates with a few exceptions
here and there arose. yelling while the
Hon. Ceburn Harris, father of Loge Har-
ris, stood in the centre of the stage
throwing up his hat
When the negative side of the question
was put nobody arose.
Last night News and Observer report
er asked Mr.. Skinner, why he made this
| fight in the Convention.
my desire and purpose was if possible,
to disclose Senator Buffers hand, both
| in National and State politics" he an
swered. Il believe that he and PritcharI
| have understood each other from the be-
ginning. l confess that jointly they
played me in securing Senator Pritchard $
election to the Senate. | want to say
that l was entirely honest and sincere in
my support of Senator Pritchard. / be-
| lieve that | was carrying out an honor
| able contract. | have been approved here
and there by friends who believed in
honest dealings, but generally / have
been condemned and I am about in that