The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-09
A APER.

North Carolina has a very decided
ly able man of whom we do not re-
member to have as so much heard
until Monday last. He is a republican
in politics, a practicing lawyer n re-
sides in Pitt county. We do not know
how il is we never heal I'd of him be-
fore. for he is a man Of capital under-
standing and no little wisdom and
penetration as we'll as of vigor of in
tellect. His name is F. Victor Cox.
In The Raleigh News and Observer of
Sunday he publishes a paper on the
North Carolina amendment to the con-
stitution that fills very nearly a page.
1t is a statesmanlike, wise, able pro-
duction from start to finish. Clear,
broad, conservative, acute and incisive,
it must do good among all democrats
who waver, all republicans who think,
all populists who are not in favor Of
negro rule. We agree with a distin-
guished lawyer of this city in the opin-
ion that it is the most important and
most progressive publication yet made
in North Carolina on the pending fran
chise amendment. He even puts it
above the senatorial speeches on the
amendment. Mr.. Cox does not discuss
the constitutionality of the amend
ment. That has been thoroughly we'll
done by Judge w. S. Bryan, Mr..
Fabius Busbee and others among North
Carolinians, and by Senators Morgan,
Money and McEnery in the United
States senate. Mr.. Cox in the begin
ming of his discussion says:
1t is not my purpose to attempt any
argument as to the constitutionality
of this amendment. We may we'll
cave this to those with authorities at
han which they may quote to sus-
tain them in their respective views.
But the statement often heard that
no man can vote for the ratification of
the amendment without violating his
oath to support the federal constitu-
ton is the veriest rot, and only shows
to what extremitieS some may be
driven for argument to sustain them.
To vote for it or not to vote for it is
a matter of individual point of view
a matter of individual conscience.
What does this amendment propose?
An educational qualification for vot-
ers. But its trainers, knowing that
there were thousands of voters in the
state who could not come up to this
standard, and yet who in peace and
war lax proven their illness for Suf-
frage, inserted a clause excluding from
the provisions of the articles all those
were or whose ancestors were en-
titled to vote in any state prior to 1867.
These by the formation of a permanent
roll are forever insured the right to
vote. After the year 1908 to those who
of age and apply for registration
the provisions of n amendment ap-
ply whether white of black"
We read the entire paper at one Sit
ting. and it delighted and strengthened
1t is calm, dignif1ed. persuasive,
impressive-all of these
and more. We put it among the most
memorable of North Carolina discus
that we recall in a half century
hearing and reading. 1t should be
in every county. 1t is a cap
ital paper to read in every township
before White Mems Clubs. 1t might be
read at a meeting every month until
the election. Wherever read it must do
among people of ordinary intelli-
gence, who are not ashamed they are
white, and who desire to serve North
Carolina with fidelity.