The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-04


world. These negro office holders are
the greatest enemies of their own race.
They, when their utterances begin to
bear fruit, take refuge in other States
and pose as martyrs while the burden
falls upon their ignorant dupes. AIN this
is most hurtful to the better class of ne
groes. Upon Won, colored men, devOlves
the task Of riddhng yourselves of these
enemies in your own race. Can you curse
the white man, and expect him to con-
tinue to build homes and asyums for
your poverty stricken and afflicted? Can
Won Islander his wife and daughters and
demand that he give one half of his
money for the education of your chill
drcn? Blind and corrupt leaders may
teach You this, but every colored man in
North Carolina ought to know that his
own best interests rest in hvmlg in peace
and harmony with his white neighbors.
But instead Of teaching the negro chill
dren to respect white men and women
after the MARINER of the old negroes of
today many Of the negro teachers bed ON
nv the politicians Of the race are teach
ing the pupils in negro schools disrespect
of The white race and very often insol-
cnce. Each succeeding generation grows
-
the postoffices in this county is kept by
a middle-age white man, merchant and
q substantial citizen. a short while be-
fore the last election n negro boy, son or
one of the negro school teachers, walked
into the postoffice, and called out: ''.Tohn
is there any mail for u.s. The merchant
asked the boy to repeat his request think
ing possibly he did not hear correctly, but
the boy went off without his mail. and
soon returned with his mother. by suffer
ancn a school teacher. She was very an
gry and demanded OF the postmaster
what her boy had done. Upon his giving
her a statement of the matter she re-
piled: els that all? That is all right!
teach all my children not to Mister the
Joneses, the Browns and all these white
r,eople around here, hui TO call them by
name" This was told me by the post
master himself. To test thus matter of
the constantly increasing insolence and
disrespect towards the white people l
have frequently in the last year called
the attention of friends 10 the fact that
i'm driving along the roads not one negro
in hundred mel would speak first.
They wait for the white person to speak
first or they DO not speak at all. i can
ence and from my own observation, but
only mention these two TO can the at
tention Of the better class of negroes
TO the fact that the whole tendency Of
events is towards a wider and wider
separation Of the races. 1t does not take
a prophet TO foresec that continuation
of this state of affairs will end in
clash between the two races. And 1T is
their duty, and just as incumbent upon
the negroes as upon the whites TO en-
deavor TO prevent this clash. AS to who
will be the greatest sufferers and VINO
will be the survivors. the good Judgment
of the negro ought to teach him. The
Bible speaks of the folly of sowing the
winds The harvest is rcaped in the
whirlwindS.
The colored man, if the amendment is
adopted. instead of every two years
taking the field of politics against the
white man with its consequent injury
TO himself i'll every way, will be able TO
devote his whole time TO the acquiring
Of an education. 10 the performing of his
labor, to saving money that he may go
into business or TO any purpose he may
sec proper. Many Of them have farms
now. Many Of them are in business. In
these pursuits they have the encoura ge-
ment and aid of the white race, and ii
is only when they seek, through mere
numbers and not intelligence, to take
control of governmental affairs which
they must know they are not competent
To manage that they find the white race
arrayed almost solidly against them.
The negro originates nothing; he merely
initiates, and like most imitators he does
not distinguishe between the true metal
ard the false and spurious. So in the
administration Of any office he loses
sight Of the responsibility and considers
only what he thinks is the added dignity
and Importance To himself among his
fellows. This causes him to be imper-
tinent and insolant 10 the Write people.
In office he is an entirely different in
dividual as all the people who have
seen him in office know.
And ! trust that the negroes of the
State will see that it is TO their inter-
estS to help in ratifying the amendment.
For when the amendment is adopted, as
| think it will be. by the white voters
of the State without regard 70 party,
the negro will Immediately feel the bene-
fits which will result in the more peace
full relations between the two races.
And though the negro may look upon
the days following the Acknowledgement
Of the uneducated and unprepared ex-
slave as his days of trial, it is conf
IDENTIFY expected that for the good of all
races he will emerge FROM them better
prepared for and more appreciative of
the duties. the privileges and the re-
sponsihilities of American citizenship.
Lastly, but OF supreme Importance, is
the effect the settlement of the race
question: by the adoption of the amend
ment will have upon the progress of the
State. And every intelligent voter ought
TO regard it as patriotic, and not a
partisan question.
Every voter-every white voter knows
that the cause of good government De
mands that the affairs of state be adj
ministered by white men because theirs
is the property to be secured, theirs
the mind to originate, TO plan
all progressive movements and theirs
the strong arms to uphold the State III
times of strife and war. But the OPP
ponents of the amendment say we will
always have a white mans government
no matter whether the amendment be
adopted or defeated and in support Of