The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-06
LET GOEBEL'S FATE
NOT Be A WARNING
Chairman Simmons Replies
to Blackburn.
HIS THREATS DON'T GO
INDICATIONS THAT POINT TO \
DANGEROUS SCHEME.
THE NEGROES OF THE STATE ORGANIZE
We Are Trying Peaceably and in the Way Pro.
vided by Law to Amend the Consttu-
ton and Threats of Force and
Murder Will Not Deter U.s."

Chairman Simmons said yesterday that
he had read the report in Sun
days News and Observer OF the
speech delivered ut Newton last week
by Assistant District Attorney Black
burn, i'll which. after referring to the re-
cent assassination of Goebel, the Demo
cratic Governor-elect of Kentucky, by
The followers of Gov. Taylor. the Repub-
lican usu1per, he said: LET the Demo
Gratis in North Carolina take warning
from the fate of William Goebel.'
Commenting on this remarkable utter
ancc. Mr. Simmons said:
Mr.. Blackburn is very close 10 Re
publican State Chairman Holton. Holton
is United States District Attorney of
the Western District and Blackburn is
his assistant in that office and he is a
protege of Senator Pritchard.
Mr.. Blackburn's warming to Demo
Gratis of what they may expect If they
persist in their purpose to disfranchise
the negro is but a repetition of the
threats Of violence said to have been
made in Washington by his chief Mr..
Holton. the only difference being. Black
burn is more specific than was Mr.. Hol-
ton and boldly predicts murder and as
SdSSulduOm OF DeInOcra1S. - .-.-.--
when Butler. at the recent meeting
of the Populist Executive Committee. APP
pealed to the fighting qualities of his
followers and asked them To join hands
with the Republicans (four-fifth negroes
and drive the white supremacy gang out
of the State. | said in an interview at
the time that his purpose seem
ed to be to stir up and incite the negroes
TO violent resistance OF the lawful pur-
pose of the white people. Holton' S
threats, Blackburn warming. Pritchard :
attempt to secure Federal aid, Linney 5
threat to pass Il force bill election law
through Congress, the negro White 5
impudent assault upon white men, the
secret and mysterious activity of the
Revenue doodlerS and the recent sudden
outbreak of negro insolence and lawleSS-
ness not only confirm that opinion, but
arouseS Il strong suspicion that the Flu
sion office holders are engaged III some
dangerous scheme and that in carrying
it out. the negro is being secretly on
galized and will be used az a tool. 1t
would seem that the conspratorS have
discussed and pondered over their pro
gram of violence so much that their
minds have become thoroughly saturated
with it and, under the heat of excite
ment. they let drop hints of its dark
purport under these circum stances. Or
binary prudence dictates that the white
people be Oh their guard and. watch
every movement Of the negroes and the
white emissarieS who may be engaged in
secretly organizing them.
Il hope there may be no trouble dur
ing the campaign or at the election be-
tween the whites and the blacks, and We
will exercise reasonable forbearance; but
if it comes. We will know who has in
Stigated it, and who is responsible for
il. We are trying peaceably and III the
way provided by law to amend the Con
stitution and the attempt to intimidate
and deter us by threats OF force and MUIR
der while it proves all we have ever
charged concerning the character of the
Republican party of this State and IT'S
leaders, will make the undaunted but
law-abiding white people of the state
more than ever determined to remove
forever the unbearable conditions which
have made such things possible i'll North
Carolina"