The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-01-17

stitution which forbids any man to vote
who cannot read and write, but excerpts
from the operation Of this restrictive
clause all those who could vote III any
state on January the first, 1867, or at
any time prior thereto, or who are de-
scended from any such voter. This pro-
vision excludes no white man, except
persons of foreign birth not yet familiar
with our institutions, and excludes no
negro who can read and write, and no
negro whether he can read and write or
not who could vote prior TO January ISL,
1867, or who is descended from one Who
could vote at any time prior to said date.
This amendment to oar constitution
eliminates no apable negro. Indeed, 1t
sets free those negroes who, believing Ill
certain principles of government, have
been restrained by loyalty to the mass
from voting their convictions. Ii does
no injustice TO the negro 1t really ben
efts him. 1t does recognize the neces-
sity for having some test Of capacity
and it prescrlbes two rules OF evidence
by which this capacity may be ascer-
tanned, and declares that any man capa-
BILE Of meeting either test shall vote. Ii
q white man can read and write he can
vote; Ii negro can read ana write ne
can vote. Ii q white man cannot read
and write, but is descended from one
who could vote on January |, 1861, or
at any time prior thereto, CT if be could
himself vote before that time, he can
vote. There is, therefore, III our amend
ment no faint of that inequality prOvld-
ed against Ill the fifteenth amendment
to the constitution OF the United States;
and i'll order that the question might
not even be suggested and realizing the
Il
black alike, our amendment requires
every boy of whatever color, now IL
years of.age to learn 10 read and write
under penalty Of losing his vote. In
terpreted Ill this fashion we may with
complacency accept the declaration of
the Republican national platform, that
our amendment IS revolutionary. 80
was the war OF Independence distinctly
known as the Revolution and our NDer-
ties are founded upon If. Our amend
menu may be revolutionary, bat 1t Is
revolution OF advancement. lt takes no
step backward, it distinctly looks to tho
future; it sees the dav of universal suf-
frage, but sees that day, not Ill the OBJ
security OF ignorance, but il the light of
universal education. IAe twilight will
grow into the perfect day with the sun
or intelligence shining i'll the sky. That
is our hope and promise. We shall not
fail
Will Flu fill His Prom. So.
On q hundred platforms, to half the
voters Of the state III the late campaign,
I pledged the State, its strength, lts
heart, its wealth, to universal education.
l promised the ililterate poor man,
bound to a life of toll and struggle and
poverty that lie sLuu.d be brighter for
his boy ami girl than it had been for
him and the partner OF MS SOrrOTs and
| joys. | pledged the wealth of the state
| to the education Of his children. Men
| of wealth, representatives OF our great
| corporations applauded eagerly my dec
| laratlou. [ then realized that the strong
| desire which dominated NE Tor the up
| lifting of the whole people moved not
| only my heart, but WAS likewise the
| hope and aspiration of those upon whom
| fortune had smiled. | had loved the
North Carolina people before that time,
| but [ never knew and appreciated the
| best qualities of lnany or our citizens
uutll | saw the owners OF many thOus-
| ands as eager for the education of the
whole people as I was myself. Then I
| knew that the hope and task before u,
| Gentlemen OF the Legislature, was not
| an impossible one.
We are prospecting as never before
| our Tea(tl increases. our industries null
tlply, our commerce extends and among
| the owners OF this wealth, this multi
| plying Industry, this extending com
1nerce, | have found no man who is IN
willing to make the state stronger and
| better by liberal aid TO the cause of ed
| ucatlOu.
| Plead, tor Education.
| Gentlemen Of the General Assembly,
| you will no5 have aught to fear when
| you make ample provision toI the edu-
| cation of the whole people. Rich and
| poor alike are LCInd by promise and
necessity to approve your utmost efforts
| III this direction. lac platforms of all
the parties declare III favor OF liberal
| policy towards the cluratlOu of the
masses; notably the Democratic plat
| form says:
| 1--WE heartily commend the action of
| the General Assembly OF 1899 for ap-
propriating 100000 for the benefit of
| the pubic schools Of the state and
| pledge ourselves to increase the school
| fund so as TO make at least four
| months term IL tu.h year III every
| school district III the state -
Poor and uuIettered men, anxious
| about the privileges OF their children
| and heSltatlng 10 vote 70 the amendment,
| were finally persuaded to accept our
| promise and place their children III q
| position in which they can never vote
unless the pledges which we made are
| redeemed to the fullest extent.
| Ii more taxes are required to carry
out this promise TO the people more
taxes must be levied. Ii property has
| escaped taxation heretofore which ought
to have been taxed, III ANS must be de-
vlsed by which that property can be
reached and put on the tax list | would
cripple no industry; | would re5ard the
| growth Of no enterprise; but | would
by just and equal laws require from
every owner OF property his just contri-
| button, to the end that all the children
may secure the right to select their ser
| wants.
Favors General Edura:!c.
Appropriations alone cannot remove
llIlteracy from our state. With the ap-
| preparations must come also an increased
interest IN this cause which shall not
cease until every child can read and
write. The preachers, the teachers, the
newspapers and the mothers OF North
Carolina must be unceasing in their eff.
forts to arouse the Indifferent and com.
pei by the force of public opinion the at
tendance of every child upon the schools.
1t Is easier TO accomplish this since the
amendment to our constitution raises
Its solemn voice and declares that the
child VINO arrives at age after 1908 can
not share in the glorious privilege of
governing his state nor participate in
the policies of the nation unless ne can
read and write. This is, therefore. the
opportune moment for the revival of ed
ucatlonal interest throughout the length
and breadth of the state We shall not
accomplish this work in a day nor can
1t be done by many speeches. 1t is a
work OF years to be done day by dav
with full realization of its IMPORTANCE
and with that anxious interest on orr
part which will stimulate the careless
and Will make all our people eager to
attain the end which we seek. Our
Statesmen have always favored the edu,
cation OF the masses, but heretofore in.
| CereSt III the matter mas nO- ncDr0ach q /