The age-herald., 1901-10-18

constitution. If they had anything up their sleeve I think we were entitled to it."
 Ex-Governor's Record.
 He then spoke of ex-Governor John stons record In regard to the constitu- tion. He told of his converting the Legis- iature in extra session and defeating the first act calling a convention and telling the people to wait He said now the con- stitution had been made and ex-Governor Johnston still wanted the people to wait
 He illustrated the position of Governor Johnston by the story of two lovers. A young man had frequently begged his girl to kiss him, but she steadily refused, telling him to wait. When they were en: gagged she still refused, preferring to walt till after the marriage. When the time finally came the young husband irn- pulsively kissed his bride and asked why they couldn't have enjoyed 1t all the time She replied that two young fellows had already fooled her that way and she didn't propose to take any more chances
 After the laugh had subsided. MT. Knox asked: What Is a party?" Answering himself, he said: This government is conducted by parties.''
 When the Democratic party convened ana agreed to take up the question of reform and submit 1t to the people, did not that make 1t a party question?
 tr IS Farry Question.
 "Why, gentlemen, this is the great est party question since the war"
 He laughing1y told of the records of Kolb and Goodwin and their temporary departure from the party Now in this case, General Shelley proposes to run the party himself he has deposed my friend Underwood and puts up a sign over his headquarters calling the place Democratic.
 
 These gentlemen admit that the pem- ocratic party can be trusted to collect taxes: and run the government generally, but they will not trust Democrats to ex- ecute the constitution. It is an attack on the white men of the state''
 MT. Knox next discussed the contention Of the opposition as to the disfranchlse- ment of the white men. He said any man who Is descendant of a soldier, or can read and write, or can pay taxes on $500 of property has right to vote.
 Our plan to disfranchise the negro in the Black Belt" lie continued, Ifs an im- provement on the South Carolina law. The South Carolina plan says that the voter must be able to read and under stand section of the constitution, while under our plan man must read and write and understand the duties of cit- izenship."
 Success In South Carolina,
 MT. Knox then told of the success of the law in South Carolina, and referred to letters received from Mr. Tillman and the Governor.
 NO. my friends, there's not a particle Of trouble about white men voting. The good character plan and the grandfather clause get around the fifteenth amend ment. That amendment seeks to protect the very men who we are seeking to get rid Of. Now the opposition speakers era talking about the unconstitutionalitv of the grandfather clause. There was not lawyer in the convention who did not ad- init the constitutiona1ity of that seotion Under it the old soldier can vote and if his son was knocked out on that ground why he could come in on the good charac- ter clause.
 'Now Mir. Stallings. Ex-Governor Jobn- ston, and Mr. Denson say the clause oiv- ing the soldiers the right to vote more than other citizens Is preposterous. MT. Knox then read extracts from a public speech of Colonel W. H. Denson, while temporary chairman of the Democra.ic convention. He quoted Mr. Denson as saying the old soldiers should vote the property qualification should be adopted and that the Federal courts could moi touch them.
 CrIticises the President.
 These men are now saying let we'll enough alone" exclaimed Mir Knox. ssbut tell you, fellow citizens. we must take time by the forelock and protect our selves. Look at what took place in Washington the other day. The Presi- dent of the United States had a negro to dine with himself and his wife, Mir: Roosevelt ought to know that by such an act he tramples on the most sacred feelings of the people of the South. want to put over Mir. Roosevelt the words of Abraham Lincoln. MT. Lincoln said I have never been in favor of the two races living together upon terms of social equality. There must be the position of superior and inferior and am in favor of superior being applied to the white race.'"
 Mir. Knox referred at length to condi- Hons In North Carolina before the adop- tion of the new constitution. He said negroes dominated certain parts of the State and the white people were power less. He said that criminals were al- lowed to go free by negro officers. Mfr. Knox then read an editorial written by 6