The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-06-07

NEGROES IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Ne6hUeS IN NOHIh CAd0llkA
Col. Young Say. They win Not Indulge
In Riotous CondaeI
washing gton Post.
James H. Young. late colonel Of the
Third North Carolina Volunteer In-
fantry, is in the city. ~Poiitics 10 very
quiet down orr way now" said he
yesterday. Each political party has
nominated its can ndidstes for the State
offices, and the campaign is abou,
open with the best Of feeling prevail
ing among all classes, and / believe 10
will remain so until the day Of cleo
tion. You know We have . constitu.
tional amendment pending. and that
creates the greatest interest. The
colored people, while opposed to the
amendment. are not taking any active
part in the hght. nor do believe that
they will do so. Their conduct is re-
oeiving the greatest praise from the
white people, regardless Of party, and
their attitude is making votes against
the amendment every day. The best
OF feeling now as in the past, exists
between the two races, and 1t will con-
tinue, regardless Of the fate Of the
amendu uent.
"The uneducated white people, as
we'll As the people OF that race who
live in the rural districts, and who
have to depend upon the public schools
for the education of their children are
very much opposed to the amendment,
and very active and earnest in that
opposition. TIE opposition to the
q ent 10 growing daily, even at
this early stage in the campaign be-
fore the Republican and Populist can
didates have organised or begun their
canvass, but it is nothing to compare
to what it will be when the speakers
of these two parties begin to discuss
before the people. the practical effects
of the amendment.
"What is known as the negro coun-
ties are already in the absolute ontrol
of the Democrats, and will remain so,
but the opposition to the amendment
will be found strongest and most eff
fective in the eighty-odd counties
where the white people are largely In
the majority numerically. Another
source Of weakness to the amendment
is to be found in the active and, in
some counties, bitter rivalry among
leading Democrats for the nomina-
tions for legislative and county offices.
This is unprecedented in that party in
our State, and is taken as a revolt of
the people against the machine
which has heretofore quietly and sue
cessfully named the slate
"Astute politicians are beginning to
observe friction between the Carr
and Simmons faction over the Eastern
Senatorship, and however much these
gentlemen may desire the relegation
Of that question, like Banquo's ghost,
it will not down. This, of course, will
affect th- gislativr vote in the coun.
ties, and iook for the election Of an
nti-Democratio legislature. A year
ago it looked as il there would Oe q
stampede for the amendment, but as
soon as Senator Pritchard called
halt and began an active fight against
it, his party fell in line. and the people
generally began to think about and
oppose the disfranchisement scheme.
"Without intending to disparage
others, it can be truthfully said that
the people of our State have great
respect for and confidence in Senator
Pritchard, and that they are eagerly
awaiting his return to the State to
begin his canvass on this great issue.
This is evidenced by the great throngs
that have gathered to hear him at
Statesville, Rockingham and Winston
recently. In my opinion there is no
doubt of the overwhelming defeat Of
the amendment.
"What will the colored people do in
the event of it's adoptIon? They will
do as they have always done, obey the
law and submit to the powers that be
with that Christian resignation which
has always characterized them. How.
ever, believe that thousands of the
most industrious and thrifty Of them
will seek homes In other States where
they can exercise the franchise and
enjoy the blessings of freedom.
"The negroes will not heed the ad-
vice given them by the Bee, Of this
city. On the contrary, il they find
any race feeling or prejudice existin e
at the polls calculated to cause distur-
Dances they will not go near them nor
attempt to vote, As they are now, as
heretofore. peaceable. law-abiding and
friendly with the white people"