The news & observer., 1901-01-16
NEGROES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
There Should Be no Discrimination in ApprO-
priations Declares Mr Blacknall'


To the Editor: am sorry to see bills
have been introduced in the Legislature
with the object of discriminating against
the negro in appropriations FOR public
schools. The Democratic press and
speakers have so long and persistently as
serted that the Democratic party had
proided schools and asylums for the me-
groes as well as the whites and would.
as long as in power continue to do so.
that | had come TO look on this assertion
as virtually a part of our platform.
felt that with the passage of the
amendment (and l took an active part
in my humble way in helping to pass t),
that the negro, rid of his political boss
and out of politics, would soon acquiesce
in the change and become better citi
zen, and that consequently there would Z
come an era Of better feeling between thes
races. This change for the better has
already set in.
Just after the August election | cut
from the newspapers, clippings, and read
them to few of our more intelligent
and worthy colored citizens to show the
kindly feelings entertained by some of
our very best people towards them.
quote from these clippings:
thus cheerfully and encouragingly to the
negroes after the result of Thursdays
election:
To our negro friends we say, be of
good cheer. be quiet, peaceable. well be-
haved and your Democratic white friends
will be your best friends. Exchange
sidewalk salutations, be kindly and cour-
teous, respectful and gentlemanly, and
they will see that you are educated and
protected and God, in his own good time
will lift you to a higher plane of culture
prosperity and happiness God bless you
all and lead you in the paths of peaceful
ness and virture.
Well said. The sentiments herein ex-
pressed are the sentiments of all good
white people--the true friends of the ne
gro-throughout the State The negro is
not going, TO be hurt by the passage of
the amendment. Let him behave HIM
self and go about the task of Ineking a
better man and a better citizen of him-
self and he will be the gamer thereby
Henderson Gold Leaf
The Democratic party is too wise, too
just, too far-seeing to take steps to cur
tail facilities for those who may vote II
will rather uplift and educate those who
shall be willing to strive for the proper
qualifications as electors. DO not enter
upon any doubtful scheme. Fulfill all
promises in good faith Let the negroes
have sufficient advantages to improve
their minds and their morals. If they are
ever to become desirable citizens they
must have a sound moral basis and suf-
icient opportunity for acquiring a good
primary education Wilmington Messen-
ger
May the era of good feeling among us
be the outcome of this contest Then we
shah learn, if we do not already know,
that while universal suffrage is a failure,
universal justice is the perpetual decree
of Almighty God, and that we are en-
trusted with power not for our good
alone, but for the negro as well. We
hold our title to power by the tenure %
service to God. and If we fail to admins
ter equal and exact justice to the negro
whom we deprive Of suffrage we shall in
the fullness of time lose power our
, selves, for we must know that the God
who is love trusts no people with au-
thorty for the purpose of enabling them
to do injustice to the weak.-Extract
from Governor Aycocks speech during
campaign.
The non property owner-both white
AMI black-d0es the greater part Of the
public road work and gets less benefit
than the property owner but is compcn-
saied by getting the greater benefits from
the public schools, to maintain which,
the property owner pays the larger share
so if the negro is not permitted to par
tcpate in the property owners school
tax fund ought he to he required 10
work the public roads? True the money
expended on the negros public schools is
not balanced by his work ON the public
roads but when we come to make out
the balance sheet ought we not TO con-
slider the responsibility the white man
incurred in bringing him 10 his caur'ra
G. L. III mall
KittrcI r. G. Jan. H.