The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-29
DIR. CURRY'S ADDRESS.
NC I'enies the Charge of Lobbying.
Advocates Ability to Read and Pay
ment OF Poll Tax as rancbt. ~.
fncatinos.
Especial to The Messenger,

NSpSciai 10 The MeSsengerl
raleigh n. c., January ei.-At noon
.he members OF the legislature and II.
state officers assembled In the han af
the house.
governor Aycock introduced DIR. Cur
~ VINO spoke about an hour. He said
the My measure he ever lohhied for q,
congress was In with shas
grand man." pointing tn a ntc,ura
vance. when he and I were pLssdin~
TOT heip TO bear the white mans bur-
den In the south-help to educate. and
because they cruelty refused we have
had to work our own salvation, burden
ed for all these weary years. I vas
over in the senate this morning and
heard members talk very excitedly
ABOUT whether northern people should
come down here n kill our birds.
they were almost as excited "a 7 see hv
the papers some members In this house
got over the false report that I had
lobbied for a certain man in congress.
1t is an honorable thing to be a
member OF a Legislature. can give a
recipe to promote the best interests of
your constituents that Will never fail.
Have courage.
Il am glad slavery has been abolish
ed, but l regret that its curse of igno-
rant, stupid. unintelligent labor re-
mains. L learn that since June thirty
seven new cotton mills have been built
IN North carolina That means more
intelligent labor, more progress. more
wealth in grand old North Carolina
1t Is well understood we can measure
wealth. roducing power. Massachu-
sets is rich, gives seven years OF edu-
cation to her children North Carolina
gives two years. Why wait five years
TO do what we should be compelled to
do eventually at a great deal more
cost. We are too poor ito wait.
Nobody. white or black, ought to
nave the right OF suffrage unless he
can e bis ballot and has paid his
poll TAX. Anybody who would cheat a
negro at the ballot box would cheat his
neighbor In a trade. You must pre-
pare people for voting. You can only
do 1t by education. Suffrage IS not a
natural or inherent right. IL n a con-
ventional right.
white and colored youth of this coun-
try, and / have no sympathy with the
doctrine that there Is.
There a II two remedies for the ne
gro problem: One Is diffusion: an
other colonization. I do not see how it
"cuiu " IcdSluie 10 do either. am
probably the Oldest man here and I
nave had much experience. and TO me
the negro problem is the most serious
that e confronted a people, I know
1t will never be solved until IL a. solved
Justly. 1 know that no two races live
In peace together when one is enlIght-
ened and the other is semi barbarous
II the southern states refuse TO do tus-
uce to the negro they will become fn-
surrectionary and lawiess and IL will
equire all the powers OF this govern
ment to control them. You must edu.
cat ethem.
The future wealth OF North Caro-
lima Is not so much n factories or
crops as in the harvest Of educational
saving and reaping.
In the long line OF iliustrsous men
OF North Carolina I have never read
anything to equal what / see as com.
ing from YOU noble and MAGNIFICENT
young governor. who has Just assumed
the duties OF ofice He Will hence
forth be known as the educational gov
ernor for the magnificent sentiments
and brave position he has taken on
that question / should want no proud-
er epftaph than this: Here lies one
who gave lis life for southern bows and
southern girls"
On motion of Judge Common the
thanks o. the body were unanimously
rendered DR.. Curry.