The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-31
ENDORSES THE AMENDMENT
A. H. PAODIS0k URGES REPUBLICANS
AND POPULISTS TO VOTE FOR IT
It's Adoption He Says VIII Forever Re-
move Nightmare of "Nig2er Domino
tion'-On Its Adoption Depends Peace
and Prosperity of the State-Neces-
sary for Good of the Negro Himself.
Sound Forcible Argument.

The Clinton Democrat OF this week
contains a strong letter from Mr.. A II.
Paddison, now of this city, but until
recently OF Pender county, in which
he endorses the constitutional amend
ment and as a republican and fusion
list calls upon all white republicans
and populists to support it. Mr.. Pad
olson is now active in the campaign
for the amendment and has an invita-
ton from the red shirts of Fender
county to attend the demonstration al
Burgaw to-day. The letter from Mr..
Paddison is as follows:
Wilmington, n. c., July 19, 1900.
Editor Democrat:
Feeling a deep interest in the well
fare Of the state and with an earnest
desire to do what l can towards pro-
noting and prosperity within
her borders, l am an advocate of the
constitutional amendment. believing as
1 do, thai it's adoption Will forever re-
move the horrible nightmare of mig
ger domination and give TO the white
people that freedom of political opin-
ion, to which every man should be en-
lllISu uIlutI Jul SOlISlllulIOll III avs
but which has not, and never will be,
enjoyed so long a s the negro question
remains to vex US. 1 believe in white
rule and that we will never have peac
and quiet until it is established in
every county, town and township in
the tate.
There is a fixed and firm determi-
nation on the part of the white people
that never again will they submit to
negro rule in any portion of the state
and L should regard it as a great ca
lamity if the amendment Were defeat
ed, for it would simply mean a repiti-
ton of the campaign Of 1898, with pos
sible bloodshed. The amendment will
do what it's friends claim for it, that
is, eliminate the negro and permit the
white man to vote, so there Is really
no excuse for any white man voting
against it, if he really and truly de-
sireS the elimination of the negro. If
the democratic legislature had desired
to disfranchise illiterate white men,
they could very easily have done so
by passing the Australian ballot law
and this certainly would have disposed
of the negro as we'll as the illiterate
white voter.
The adoption of the amendment is
absolutely necessary for the good of
the negro himself. He may not be
able to see it, but it is perfectly clear
to me. The ballot has never been
worth anything to him, as he seems to
be utterly incapable of using it for his
own good. White men think and vote
independently where there is no race
question to keep them solid on one
side, negroes never; hence, there is no
chance to settle n question on its
merits, for the solidity of the blacks
on one side enforces the solidity of the
whites on the other.
1.-The fact that the amendment was
submitted to the people by a demo
cratic legislature ought not to prevent
populists and republicans from voting
for it; rather 1 think they ought to
congratulate themselves that the legis-
lature was magnanimouS enough tC
give them an opportunity to free
themselves from the charge of favor
ing negro domination" and at the
same time to free themselves and
every other White man from the po-
litical tyranny which the negro queS-
ton imposes upon them.
h is not a party question but on
of race, and or the prope settlement
of it depends the peace and prosperity
of the state. When such a question is
presented, / think it is the duty OF
every patriotic citizen of the state tC
lay aside his party prejudice and joir
hands with all who honestly and earn.
estly desire to settle this question
one and for all in the interest OF
peace between the races, honest cleo
ion and the inestimable privilege o.
being free to think and vote according
to the dictates of his own conscience
One more reason and I will close
The democratic party is the only party
that can settle h negro issue. Mel
Their the populists Tor republican,
could settle it if they had the power
and the reason is plain, hence, now i
the time to help the only party tina:
can do it and settle it finally and for
ever. Very respectfully,
"A. II. PADDISON."