The commonwealth., 1901-01-24
from the power of it's os :racism.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MEN {.

-
MENr.
Wben the l. gisiature OF 1899 met 1t
was confronted with these facts and
was sincerely anxious to save the good
and suppress the evil of those force:
Which had made our history. They
therefore, submitted to the people for
their action an amendment to the cen
stitution which forbids any man to vote
who cannot read and write, but excepts
from the operation of this restrictive
clause all those who could vote in any
state on January 1st, 1857 or at any
time prior thereto or who are descend
ed from any such voter. This provis-
ion excludes no white man except per-
sons Oi toreigE birth not get familiar
with our institutions, and excludes no
negro who can read ard write, and no
negro whether he can read and write
or rot who could vote prior to Janu-
airy 1st, 1867 or who is descended from
one who could vote at any time prior
TO said date. This amendment to our
constitution eliminates no capable ne
gro. Indeed it sets free those negroes
who, believing in certain principles OF
government, have baen restrained by
loyalty to the mass from voting their
convictions. 1t does no Injustice to the
negro. It really benefits. him. 1t
does recognize the necessity for having
some test of capacity and it prescribes
two rules of evidence by which this
capacity may be ascertained and de-
clares that any man capable OF meeting
either test shall vote. If a white mat
.an read and write he can vote 1t a
negro can read and write he can vote.
If a white man cannot read and write
but is descended from one who could
vote on January list, 1867, or at any
Tina prior thereto, Or if be himself
could vote hetore that time, he can
vote. Ii negro cannot raad and
write but is descended from a person
who could vote on January list, 1867
or at any lime prior thereto, or If he
could hic7sa!f vote before that time, he
can vote. There is, therefore, in our
,menducs no taint ct that inequality
~ ainst in the 10th amend
constitution of the United
States and In order that the question
might not even be suggested and real
Izlng the importance Of educating the
whi.e and the black alike, our amend
;nent requires every boy OF whatever
color now 13 years of age to learn to
read and write under penalty OF losing
his vote. Interpreted on this fashion
We may with complacency accept the
declaration OF the republican national
ylatfcrm that OCr amendment is revo-
utionary. So was the war TOR lnde-
5endence distinctly known rs the
revolution and our liberties are found
ed upon 1t. Cur amendment may be
revolutionary but it Is revolution Of
advancement. It takes no step back
ward, it distinctly looks to the future !;
1t sees the day Of universal suffrage but
ees that day not in the obscurity Of
ignorance but In the light Of universal
education. The twilight will grow
into the Eerfect day with the sun ei
intelligence shining in the sky. That
is our hope and promise. We shall
not fail.
BETTER PUPLIC SCHOOL FACILI-
TIES.
On hundred platforms, to half the
voters OF the State, in the late cam.
paign, pledged the State, its strength,
its heart, its wealth, to universal edu-
cation. 1 promised the illiterate poor
man bound to life of toll and strug-
gle aud poverty that life should be
brighter for his boy and girl than it
had been for him and the partner OF
his SORROWS and joys I pledged the
wealth of the State to the education of
his caildren. Men of wealth, repres-
entatlves of great corporations, applaud
ed eagerly my declaration. I then
realized that the strong dasisre which
dominated me for the uplifting of the
whole people moved not only my heart
but was likewise the hope and aspir-
alton CT those upon whom fortune had
smiled. l had loved the North Caro-
tina people before that time but l
never knew and appreciated the best
qualities Of many OF Our citizens until
| saw the owners OF Ean- thousands al.
eager for the whole people as l was
mvse!f. Then I knew that the aope
AID task before US, gentlemen OF the
legislature, was not an Impossible one.
We are prospering as never before-our
wealth increases, our Industries mui-
tlpiy, our commerce extends and
among the owners OF this wealth, this
multiplying industry, this extending
commerce, I have found no man who