The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-15


day when Lincoln declared them freed
men. The race has now had the advantage
of these not quite forty years of training
and education, such as would have fitted
them for freedom, but in actual reality
are now less fitted for political rights
than they were at the first For all these
years of freedom have not made them
Industrious, or frugal, or, after all eff
forts, intelligent, that is as a race. To
secure a mere living, the bare necessa-
ries of life in the easiest way, is the
highest aim of the negro, next to cast
ing his vote for something of which his
unintelligent mind has no real under
standing. He votes for name, some per-
son, not for any force or influence in gov
eminent, for of that he has no idea or
intelligent conception. He is attached to
the party from whom he believes he got
his freedom, and for those who will prom
Use him some inferior office or who he
thinks belongs to the party who made him
free man. And now after nearly forty
years of freedom, the niger" is not
worth so much to society as he was be-
fore he enjoyed CD his freedom.
True, he may think he enjoys it; but it is
not for any good for himself or his en-
ployers, but simply that he may go and
come as he pleases, and cast his vote for
SOM, question of the purposes or merits
of which, he has no more comprehension
that the bob-tailed dog who goes with
him to the voting place.
Nothing has been gained by the political
freedom of the negro. On the other hand
much has been lost. immigration avoids
the South. Foreign immigrants will not
associate with the negroes. Educated
farmers do not wish to employ the
blacks and white working men will not
consort with him. In every way he is
an obstacle to the advance of the South,
and while the increase of wealth in the
North has been phenomenal. that of the
South is really advanced only in estima>
ted value. 1t is true, that more recently,
The appearance of prosperity has bright
ened but it does not yet appear as
tangible fact. Let us realize that nothing
has been gained by his enfranchisement,
when the question arises what will be lost
Or gained by his Acknowledgement.
1t is certain that in proportion to the
numerical force of his vote, the South will
lose corresponding representation in
the Congress. But how much does that
amount to? What advantage does the
South enjoy now that may then be miss
ed? 1t is difficult to perceive any such
loss of advantage, in the national az
fairs But there will be substantial
gain in our domestic affairs. The incu-
bus of the niger in our politics will be
swept away, and really we may believe
that it will enure to the benefit of the
State to a very considerable extent Great
dissatisfaction will be removed through
out the States, and the disappearance of
the negro as a class, from public affairs,
and the loss of his prestige as an ele-
ment in politics, will be felt as an enor-
mours relief at home. and abroad it viii
put the South in a very much more favor
able light towards immigrants than 1t
has enjoyed previously.
| think. I know more of this than many
others, who have not the wide acquaint-
ance have with industrial matters in
the North. especially as to agriculture
and related industries. l know that our
present condition is a great obstacle to
immigration, which otherwise would be
attracted by our cheap lands, and favor
able climate. Twenty years spent in con-
slant efforts to enlighten the people of
the North as to the enormous advantages
for investments in the South, has given
me experience and opportunity for judg
ing accurately in this. and almost inva-
riably, persons coming from the North
and discovering the condition of our la
Dor supply have returned discouraged.
With the disfranchisement of the negro
this serious objection will be removed
and with the white man unmixed, other
white men will be glad to come here, and
take an active part in developing the
enormous agricultural, and other indus
trial resources which now lie idle for
want of hands, and heads, and capital, to
fertilize and make them productive. So
our gain will be tangible, while our loss
will be an intangible, and unnoticeable,
and unnoticed quantity. For these rea-
sons l cordially support the amendment
to our State constitution, and urge others
interested in the future progress of the
State. to support it, and use all their
influence in the same direction.
1t would be unjust to include in the
foregoing those of the colOred people who
have had the good sense and enterprise
to avail themselves of what opportunities
thew have had to fit themselves for the
duties and obligations of citizenship The
color of a mans skin is no bar to his
right to all the consideration due his
manhood. And there are many colored
men in the state VINO are as Wen NJ
ted to exercise the obligations and en-
Joy the rights of citizenship to the full
as any white men. These are not in any
way interfered with in this proposed
amendment, and their aid and help in the
duties of government | am sure will
he welcomed by the whole body OF the
white race. And we may be sure their
efforts to improve the condition OF others
of their race by education, Will be FULLY
and cordially aided by all their fellow
citizens irrespective Of color.
We cannot say what the precise effect
Of the amendment if carried into force
NAV be. But we may be sure there VIII