The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-19
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
SAMUEL |. PATTERSON, of Caldwell.
JUDGE TENTH DISTRICT:
W. B. COUNCIL. of Wautauga.
THE FRANCHISE AMENDMENT AS
AMENDED.

Without passion, without prejudice, a
citizen, a North Carolinian, might hold
that it was under the present circum-
stances an impossibility for a white
man to oppose the franchise amend
ment and be 4 true friend of the white
ace or we'll wiSher to the prosperity
and peace of the state. Whatever he
may say in the way of denial or pro-
~testation or profession, the fact re-
mains that favoring the continued
dominancy of the 12O, 900 negroes-thus
giving practically minority rule in
this state and in all departments of
the government-he is against the rule
of the White Race, and against a wise,
economical, just, and safe government
for all. Mr.. Justice, of Mcdowell coun-
ty, in the house, in the state legisla-
ture, on Tuesday, replying to a Samp-
son county populist, a disciple of the
great constitutional lawyer Butler,
said this. and no man can ever an
swer it if the world stands for a mil
lion years:
~As to negro domination, North
Carolina was the only place in all the
world where a majority of white people
was controlled by a minority of ne
groes. He said in 1894 Mr.. Johnson and
his populist colleagues Joined with the
republicans and brought about the
election of Russell and negro domina-
ton; that on supreme court there are
judges who took their places by negro
ballots, and that 120, 900 negroes domi-
mated the state. That the names of
Marion Butler and HOlton were syn
@-z f-@,- ~
elections; that 1928 republicans had
nominated to the democratic legisla-
ture negroes for magistrates; that as a
courtesy the democrats had elected
these, without knowing whether they
were negroes or not, and now the fu-
~sionists are going around saying the
democrats had appointed negro mag
iStrates.
MIR. Justice declared that democrats
would end this matter by putting an
end forever to negro office holding in
North Carolina. (Applause.)"
a funny thing occurred when his
populist johnson said he represented
the white people of North Carolina. A
negro named Smith, of Craven,
and with a wave of his hand over the
democratic members, Smith said:
These represent the white people,
THE whole house roared and
cheered.
smith old Mr.. Johnson he owed his
seat to negro vote; hat Senator But
Ter owed his seat to negroes; that after
negroes had put populists in power
honor populists wanted to turn
down the negro. Smith declared he and
others had been deceived into voting
for Governor Russell; that negro votes
elected him. He said johnson ought
not to decry the colOred race"
That was serious work for Johnson.
His fusion brother in black" vas too
much for him because we'll posted and
with a memory. Johnson is one of your
''Iatter-day' political saints" who
learns when it is too late in the even
ing. In his harangue he declared the
white people hould and would rule
He said in some cOuntie in the east
it had been necessary TO use heroic
means. He had rather teach his boy to
take a Winchester and protect himself
than teach him to lie and defraud. He
said the election law would disfran-
chise not only h negroes in the east.
but a great many white people. He
said he was not here to defend negroes;
that the latter ought never to have
been given the right of suffrage when
they were given it."
How hard the enemies Of the people
die. But there is not to be any more
minority negro rule in North Carolina.
Henceforth his is to be a White Mans
State and a White Mans government,
and all who do not like such an out
look would do Well to pull up and go
quickly and not to stand upon the or
der OF their going. Never again will
1900 negroes shape the d~estinies and
disturb the internal affairs or provoke
race a-ntagonisms in North Carolina,
that will show more than 225, 900 white
voters by this month United States
census, when the figures are all in.
In 1890 there were nearly twice as
many white electors a negroes. The
difference will be greater now, and
by a good deal.
The negro showed sense in his de-
nunciation of that fool Fortunes at
tempt to p~recipitate a ace war. One
of the most noticeable events in the