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

They see that something must be
done, SO they propose to let the negro
vote but not hold Office. This won't
do. A government of white men put
in Office by negroes and backed by
negroes is negro rule. mo govern
ment can he better or wiser than the
average intelligence and virtue of the
power that governs" was an irrefut-
able statement OF the speaker. He
would be elected Governor, and back
ed by the intelligence and virtue of
the majority of white men of the
State, his government would be a safe
and good one. If his opponent should
be elected two-thirds of those behind
him will be negroes and it would be
negro rule.
The Republican and Populist plans
will not do. The Democrats 60 to the
root of the evil and propose Consti-
tutional amendment that will elimi-
nate the votes of $4,000 ignorant ne
groes and not keep single white
man from voting. 1t is folly to talk
about the Democratic party disfran-
chising the white man. 1.-The Demo-
cratic party is the white man, and the
white man is the Democratic party"
Then with lofty eloquence, the match
less orator sketched the history of the
all dominant white race from the days
of the Magma Charta at Runnymede,
through the Revolutionary War, and
the Civil War on to the present; prov
ing his fitness by years of experience
to govern, whether able to read and
write or not. The negro not being
fitted by Inheritance to vote must be
qualified by education. No Republican
will say that white man is not more
capable than negro. Senator Cul-
lum stated that the American idea of
universal suffrage presupposes quail
ification either by Inheritance or edu-
cation in discussing the Hawaiian bill
in Congress.
When the amendment carries, then
in 1902 all white men who can read
and write, or whose ancestors voted
prior to 1867, can register and vote
as long as they live. But negro
must be able to read and write, or be
the descendant of free negro who
could vote prior to 1885, or he can
not register. This will disfranchise
$4,000 negroes, but no white men.
The Republicans howl about the I'M
constitutionality Of the grandfather
clause. The recent session of the
Legislature has fixed the amendment
to suit theln-all portions of it must
stand or fall together.
No old veteran can be DISTINGUISHED
because he can't pay his poll tax, for
there are no Confederate veterans
under so years of age; therefore they
pay no poll tax. BY recent change
poll tax must be paid by May LIST in
stead of March 1st-that is, 1901 poll
tax must be paid by May LIST, 1902, in
order to vote in 1902.
The most eloquent portion OF the
speech, as we'll as that which was
most heartily chcered, was the de-
tense of the educational qualification.
He well said that means could and
would be provided whereby every
white boy under - can learn to read
and write by 1908. The days of the
demagogue are past. Open wide the
door of knowledge, give the sons and
daughters of toll the same privileges
as their weather. brothers and sisters
enjoy.
Mr.. Aycock then took up the cleo
ton law and explained its provisions.
1t is fair enough. Under its terms it
is not necessary to prove q mans age
to the very day and hour, but only
that he is 81. it is intended to keep
18-year-old and dead negroes from
voting, as they have been doing, and
will not prevent any honest voter
from casting his ballot. Republicans
say Democrats carry elections by
force and fraud. 'sThere hasn't been
a Democratic officer since the war
that didn't have majority of white
votes; and not Republican with a
few exceptions who had majority of
white votes" When the negro ques-
ton is eliminated then strife and bit
terness will end; there will be rest
from hate and bitterness; then great
issues can be discussed and both par
ties being composed of white men
will secure peace and prosperity,
economy and honesty in the govern
ment by whatever party controls.
Not the Democratic party, but the
white people, must rule, giving equal
and exact justice to all men, both
white and black. Ours is cause
worth working for, worth dying for.
Ills the cause of right, of humanity.
The speech was that of great man,
not simply an orator, but states
man, thinker and lover of the peo-
pie.