The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-27

that the maintenance or koou koVeIH- ment Is in no danger under conditions now prevailing in this State. MT. Prest- det, if our own insight will not enable us to see this danger. we have ap op- ject lesson in our sister State of North Carolina. They, too, thought that af- ter overtbrowing the earpet-haR gov ernment and establishing white su- premacy they were safe; and they were able to maintain good government for something like twenty years. But when the white men divided, large mass of ignorant and vicious voters found their opportunity, and the people of that State were subjected to such humilia- ton as sincerely trust our people may be forever spared.
 Time will not allow me to dwell up- on the conditions which prevailed In that State,l but l will quote a para graph from the testimony of Hon. John D. Bellamy, member of Congress from that State, given in the contest cleo tion case of Dockery vs. Bellamy, which will give you some idea of the conoi- tons which prevailed in Wilmington, the principal city in the State. where the negro was in full political control. He says:
 And the result of 1t was that hof. rible state of misgovernment had been brought about; that night after night burglaries and robberies took place In town, without any detection: that with- in about eight hundred feet of the city hall six burglaries had been committed in ten days without detection: that one burglar had been arrested in lady's residence, a negro burglar. was captured and held bv the ladies until a police officer arrived: and that. al- though the offense was punishable nv death and not bailable. he was taken to the city hall. and there let on on his own recognizance, or straw bond. have forgotten now which. and the ne- gro escaped"
 Again he says: "I recollect especial ly an incident of my own experience. where 1 prosecuted for Mir. Hamme. very gallant and reputable citizen. a hat merchant of this city. who was as- saulted in his store in broad daylight by Richard Holmes. negro policeman. and struck between the eyes with a pair of brass knuckles. and felled senseless to the floor: and that on three trials, although the defendant himself. Holmes. did not take the stand and the evidence was uncontradicted. the fury failed to agree a single one of the three times, stand. .ns the first time nine whites for conviction and three negroes for acquittal; the second trial taking place at the next term of court all the white men on the jury stood for con- viction and the negroes on the jury Tor acquittal: oi the third trial. which took place at a subsequent term. 1t likewise stood eight or nine-I have forgotten the number--whites for conviction. and three or four negroes for acquittal, ac- eording to the number of negroes on the jury; and finally the Fusion Solic- For. although I myself was associated in the prosecution, mol pressed the case without even consulting me-"
 I will pause. toe. to cite to you the editorial written by negro editor Of a negro paper published about this time In Wilmington. which he was em- boldened to write because of his reli- ancr on the protection he supposed the existing government would furnish, and the publication of which resulted in & riot causing the loss of many citizens:
 Poor white men are careless In the matter of protecting their women. es- pecially on farms. They are careless of their conduct toward them. and our experience smong poor white people in the country teaches us that the women of that race are not any more particu- lar in the matter of clandestine meet ings with colored men than are the white men with colored women. Meet ings of this kind go on for some time, until the woman's infatdation or the mans holdRess bring attention to them, and the man is lynchea for rape. Ev- cry negro lynched is called big, bur- ley, black kruite.' when in fact many of those who have been thus dealt with had white men for their fathers. and were rot only not black and bur ley but were sufficientlv attractive for white girls of culture and refinement to fall in love with them. as is well known to all" The pu uolication of this letter in connection with other acts of aggression on the part of The negroes. led to the Wilmington riot which re- suited in the loss of many lives.
 The conditions which prevailed in the city of Wilmington were such that eight thousand of her best citizens were forced. for more than ten days, to suspend business and patrol the streets with Winchesters.
 MT. President. the negroes in Alaba- ma greatly exceed in numbers those in North Carolina, and he who would be- lieve that there is no danger to us in leaving the ignorant and vicious ele- ment of this race in this State pos- sessed of political power. would be of a very innocent and confiding nature indeed!
 The great work of this Convention should be to establish the supremacy of virtue and intelligence in this State-to imbed 1t deep in the Consti- tuition, so that future generations, when they come to view the work that vou have wrought will revere and bless the memory of those who framed 1t. Thomas Jefferson. the great com moner, who was twice President of the United States, and honored as 1t falls to the lot of few men to be, when he came to die, turned his hack to all this pomp and glory. and counted as the greatest achievements of his life what he had done to benefit his fellow men. Let 1t be written" he said, upon my tomb. Here lies Thomas Jefferson, author of the Statute of Re- ligious Liberty in Virginia. the Founder of the University of Virginia and the Author of the Declaration of Independ- ence'"
 The President pro tem.-The Chair recognizes the gentleman from JerIer- son, Mr. Ferguson.
 Mir. Reese-I rise to offer a short res olution to provide for the printing of the speech that has just been delivered by the gentleman from Calhoun. will ask the gentleman to yield.
 The President pro tem-Will the gen. tleman yield?
 Mir. Ferguson-Yes. sir
 The resolution was read as follows:
 Resolution No. 270, by MT. Reese:
 Resolved. That five thousand copies Al tha renarks of Hon. JnO B. Knox