The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-26
NEGROES AND WHITES SHOULD
FAVOR THE AMENDMENT.

to the proposed suffrage amendment.
Thus far, after some thirty-odd years
of voting, they have got very little that
was good n profitable out Of the bal |
lot. A few among thousands have got
some grub from it, but for the most
part they were men Of color, Of more
or less white admixture. While bitterly
-antagonizing white neighbors or EN-
ployers they have not been able in
more than thirty years Of voting to get
so much as one DOT in the swill-tub
or one hand in the public crib. So par
ticipating in the ballot has brought to
the negroes nothing good or helpful.
1t has enabled them to put into the
offices the most unworthy Of the white
race. On the other hand, by giving the
negroes the right to vote, wholly I'M
furnished and incapable as they have
shown themselves to be, the white a d
icals have suffered. 1t is true they have
got grub and have h~ob-nobbed with
some negroes, and have taken drinks
with them, it may be, but they have
brought reproach upon themselves
have suffered in character, have had
to bear the blame of treachery and ras-
cality on the part Of their party asso-
ciates and officials. Some of them de-
served a better fate, but EVIL COM
m%unications" damaged them. The white
republicans know we'll hat so long as
negroes vote without test or ~restric-
ton that the better whites will unite,
will stand solid. So long as 120, 900 or
more negroes can vote in North Caro-
lima, the law Of self-preservation will
inevitably force the white men to re-
main together. There can be no divis-
ion of the white race in North Carolina
while the possibility of negro rule
hangs over them. So it would really
appear as best and good tactics for
the republicans generally to favor the
amendment.
1t will leave about one-half of the
negroes as still voters, while disfran-
chising only those who fail to pay poll
tax and cannot read and write. This
fact tshould appeal strongly to both
decent white republicans and decent
populists. 1t will help both races and
help the state if the amendment is
adopted. But if defeated look out for
calamities often referred to but not
! necessary to be repeated here.
There will be better education for
both races hereafter with the educa-
tional test applied to politics and gov
eminent. With the amendment defeat
ed, the negroes must educate their own
children. Under prolonged negro rule
in the future there woul be no negro
schools by white taxation. 1t will sure
| ly come to that with the perpetuation
| of the negro bossing and antagonisms.
The aim Of the white race is to educate
better the negro, so he may be better
qualified for the responsibilities of cit
izenship. The whites have lessened the
i opportunities for educating their own
children by giving a part of the school
fund to educating negro c~hildren-the
children of men who have steadfastly
voted against their interests and prin-
ciples and policy. There will be better
facilities and opportunities for negro
education with improved conditions.
But it is to be regretted hat in the
f~ SNAA SoSh AiiSC VI InC WAillCS q
failed to impress the negroes. They
have not appreciated the great services
rendered. In the south some SIS, 900, 900
have heen expended in behalf of negro
education, nearly all of which came
from the whites. DR.. Paul B. Barrin-
ger. professor in the University Of Vir-
ginia, in his late address on the negro.
said this:
In short, the only thing gotten from
the present system of negro schools.
that sticks to the pupil through life is
an intense hatred for the white race
and false ideals of life. If this hatred
stood alone it would be bad nough
put, unfortunately, it does not stand
alone. 1t is known to every observing
mar that h present generation of
younger whites have little of that love
and a1ection for the negro that mark
ed the older generations, especially the
slave-holders. Regret this fact We may,
but deny it We cannot"
This is the year 1900, thirty-hve years
after the var closed. Another genera
ton of whites is now before the public.
the builders and leaders. Only a COM
paratively few of the older generation
are now living. The men who lived and
influenced prior to the war are for the
most part gone. The generation now
beginning have but few if any of the
old attachments to draw them to the
negroes of the home. Both races have
changed. The new generation of ne
groes are not comparable in ympathy.
docility, affection and gratitude to the
ace that came out of slavery. So the
parting of the ways has come in a
sense very different from that which
came to the "old masters and their
children, and the faithful, obedient,
attached slaves. It will be wise in the
negroes to remember and consider
this. They will have to show their
worth, their merit, their capabilities
and their right to a home among civ
ilized and enlightened people. Proper
education, not limited, but three-fold-
the education of the mind. the hand.
the heart-willf fit the pooro