The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-02-08
AMENDMENT CLUB ORGANIZED.
Large and Enthusiastic Meeting lion.
day Night-Ringing Speeches and q
Spirit of Determination Manifested.

There was a meeting at the court
house Monday night for the purpose
of oganizing Constitutional Amend
ment Club. Mr.. j. H. Bridgers was
called to the chair and Thad X Man
ming was elected secretary. Upon
taking the chair Mr.. Bridgers made a
short but appropriate speech and his
remarks were warmly applauded.
The object of the meeting having been
explained Mr.. w. f. Griffin asked
| that the text of the constitutional
amendment to be voted on be read.
| This was done by the chairman tit
ting remarks being made upon each
| clause as read. In answer to the false
| charge that illiterate white men will
| be disfranchised by the adoption o.
the amendment Mr.. Bridgers made
| reference to the Confederate soldier
He spoke with emphasis and became
| almost eloquent saying 'God forbid
| that the time shall ever come in North
Carolina when the Confederate SOL
der shall not have every right grant
ed to any man." He recognized that
there are many Confederate veterans
who never had the opportunity to get
an education, and told the reasons
| why, and said when any man goes
about the State saying that these peo-
pie or any other honest white man
| will be disfranchised, he's q liar. That
is plain language, said the speaker.
but that is the only way to express it
properly. Mr.. Bridgers was loudly
applauded.
Ringing and enthusiastic speeches
were made by Messrs. w. $. Parker.
w. f. Griffin and r. S. McCoin. Each
speaker was full of his subject and
thoroughly in earnest. Space forbids
quoting them as we would like.
The names that had been signed to
the call for the meeting were read and
further signatures asked for. Papers
were circulated through the audience
and it was stated that every white
man in the house land there was a
good attendance) had put his name
| down except four, two OF these
it was explained were from another
county and they said they intended to
organize club as soon as they went
back home.
The organization of the club being
determined upon the chairman asked
suggestions as to a name. 1t was
agreed to call it the Zeb Vance White
Supremacy Club. The following Of
ficers were elected:
J. H. Bridgers, president.
r. S. McCoin, vice-president.
Thad r. Manning, secretary.
The club will meet the first Mon
| day night in each month at the court
house.
There were some negroes present
| and just before the meeting ad journed
Mr.. Bridgers addressed few remarks
to them personally. He said it was
with no feeling of i'll will toward
them that the white people were &C
tuated, but that this was a white
mans country and the white man was
going to rule it. 1t was better for
him and better for the negro that he
should. The negro has proven his
unftness TO govern by thirty years Of
trial. 1t was not right that people
who paid less than 5 per cent. Of the
taxes should shape legislation affect
ing the property rights Of a people
who pay over IS per cent. OF the taxes.
The day Of the negro as factor in
| politics in North Carolina has passed.
He is political back number and he
might as well recognize the fact and
accept the situation first as last. He
must yield and it will be better for
him to do SO quietly and willingly.
Mr.. Bridgers made calm, disposition
ate speech and one that had telling
| effect on all who heard him.