The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-02-01
\ DISQUALIFIED SECTION.

The Washington Post. an ably edited
and splendid newspaper, for some
unknown reason seems to take per
sisicnt delight in pointing the finger
Of scorn at the South, especially in
matters political.
In the matter Of the negro in poll
ties in North Carolina, the Post has
several times proven to its own salts
faction, editorially, that the negro
was too good citizen. much better
than the poor white citizen, to be
deprived Of his vote by the passage
of a Constitutional amendment.
In fact, the Post has satisfied itself
that the North Carolina negro is far
ahead of what it terms the poor
whites" therefore it would be crimi-
nal to deprive such a class of ''yeo-
manry'' OF the privilege Of suffrage,
while the s'poor whites" would enjoy
the privilege of the ballot box.
But the Posts latest editorial, in
issue of 18th. '.Of no avail this year, -
shows the disapprovaI in which the
Post regards the entire south.
The Post, in noting the s.eNpansion
feeling in the South. shows how the
Southern people are seeing the ad-
vantages to them which the retention
of the Philippines and the mainten-
ance of the ''open door" policy with
China would be. Also notes the edi-
torial expressions of many Southern
papers, as well as naming prominent
Southerners who favor expansion.
After noting these things in a
complimentary style, as if such senti-
ments showed the march of intelli-
gence in the South the Post then pro-
ceeds with its usual disqualification
of the South, politically, as follows:
These facts and this situation con-
stitute the theme on which hundreds
of our contemporaries are dilating in
a tone which indicates a belief that
expansion in the South will be an i'm
portant factor in the Presidential
campaign. The Post takes no stock
in that opinion. The cotton States
will be solid for the Democratic can
didate. That the Democratic party
will indorse the Republican policy of
expansion Is next to impossible of be-
lief. Mckinley and expansion will be
opposed by BRYAN and anti-expansion,
and not one state of the solid South.
not one State South of the border
States will swing out of the Demo
cratic column. 1t NAV be interest
ing to eNpatiate upon the rapid
development and healthful growth OF
expansion away down South in the
lands of cotton" but nothing in the
future of politics is more improbable
than the capture of single electoral
vote in that section by the party
which is going into the campaign as
the champion of the administration
Philippine policy"
The fact that the South will remain
in the Democratic column, is not the
! point of the Posts fling. but it is that
the Southern people have no politica,
freedom, Ihey may believe in pro
lection. in expansion, in the gold
standard. in maintaining the govern
ment'S policy. vet these same people
endowed with minds to form opinions
on public questions, are such politi
cal towards that they will vote con,
tinuallv against their convictions.
And the Post would continue to en-
force lis negro equality policy il
Nortn Carolina. and keep in politica
slavery the white voters whom il
scorn> for their political cowardic'
in not voting their convictions at the
ballot box.-New Berne Journal