Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-18
CHAPTER VIII.
THE UNsoLvED RIDDLE


ing, seated on the rustic under a giant
oak that stood In the corner Of the square.
Under this tree the speakers stand had
always been built for joint debates in po-
litical campaigns.
Here, when a boy he had heard the great
debate between Zebulon B. Vance and
Judge Thomas Settle In the fierce cam
paign which followed the overthrow of
Legree when the Republican party, under
the leadership of Judge Settle made its
desperate effort for life. Settle, who was
a man OF masterful personality, eloquent.
and In dead earnest in his appeal TO a
crowd for a new south, had made a
speech OF great power to a crowd that
were hostile TO every idea for which he
stood: and yet he dazzled or stunned them
into sullen silence.
And then he recalled with flashes OF
memory vivid as lightning. the miracle
that followed. He could see Vance now as
he slowly lifted his big lion-like head and
calmly looked over the sea OF faces with
eagle eve that could flash with resistless
humor or blaze with the fury OF element
al passion. He reviewed the terrible past
I'm which he had played the tragic role
OF their war governor. and tore into tat
tiers with the facts of history the logic
OF his opponent. And then he opened his
batteries OF wit and ridicule-wit that cut
10 the hearts red blood. and yet convulsed
the nearer with its unexpected turn! Rid
icule that Ndthered and scorched what 1t
touched into ashes! Five thousand people
now In breathless suspense as he swung
them into heaven on the wings of DEATH
less words. now screaming with laughter,
and now hushed with tears!
The scene that followed this triumph!
Two stalwart mountain men snatched
him from the rOstrum and bore him on
their shoulders through the shouting.
weeping crowd. Women pressed close and
kissed his hands. and old men reached
forward their hands 10 touch his gar
mentsl An II he could inherit the power
Of this king among men! Tonight as
CASTOR walked under the tree with his
heart beating with the ecstacy of new
found sourcebf life. he felt that he could
do, and that he would do that, what the
master had done before him,
Charlie. I've heard some startling news
since you left home, and 1 can't sleep
nights thinking about It."
You've heard of McLeod's scheme?"
Exactly. And it means the ruin of
this state and the ruin of the south unless
II can be defeated
How are you going to do itg'
It's a puzzle but it's got to be done.
Half the farmers in the strongholds of
Democracy are crazy over their fool sub
dreams. Mcleod has promised them
verything-sub-treasur pumpkin leaves
for money-anything they want II they
viii join forces with his niggers and carry
the state. You are the man TO begin now
a quiet but thorough organization Of the
young men, and Dust the fools from con-
troll OF the party.
when the white race begin to hobnob
with the negro and seek his favor they
uF.e hot
means ultimately social as well as polit-
zeal equality. You can't ask man to vote
for you and kick him down your front
doorstep and tell him TO come around the
back way
y think you exaggerate the social
danger. but see the political end of It,"
7 don't exaggerate in the least. I am
looking into the future. This racial in
stinct IS the ordinance Of our life Lose
Il and we have no future. One drop OF
negro blood makes a negro. It kinks the
hair, fiattens the nose. thickons the lip,
puts out the light OF intellect, and lights
the fires OF brutal passions. The begin
ming OF negro equality as vital face Is
the beginning OF the end Of this nations
life. There is enough negro blood here to
make mulattO the whole republic
such danger seems too remote for Sc
rious alarm TO me-" replied the younger
man.
"Ah. there's the tragedy" passionately
cried the preacher. You younger men
are growing careless and Indifferent TO
this terrible problem. It's the one IN
solved and unsolvable riddle OF the com
ing century, Can you build. in Democ-
racy. nation inside a nation OF two hos
tile races2 We must do this or become
mulatto. and that is death. Every inch
in the approach of these races across the
barriers that separate them is a move
ment asking him to your home sooner or
later. If you - him TO your house, he
viii break bread with you at last. And
If you seat him at your table. he has
the right 10 ask your daughters hand in
marriage"
1T seems TO me a far cry to that! But
I see the political crisis. What is your
plan?"
'rhis-organize the young Democracy
In every township in the state, and put
yourself at fits head. control the primaries
and down the old crow. They've got to
follow you. II you are defeated. God have
mercy on US but you will be ready for the
next battle"
''Tll do it." said CASTOR with emphasis
Then I want you to go on a mission to
Colonel Duke. the president of the Ma
tional Farmers Alliance He's a good
Baptist. He means well. but he's crazy.
He dreams of the presidency when he has
established the sub-treasury for the farm
ers! He's AFRAID OF the negro. and Is ner-
vous about using him. He knows I am
the most influential Baptist preacher in
the state. Tell him I say you will win
and that we viii give him the nomination
for governor, and put him in fine for the
presidency"
when shall I go 10 see him7"
Immediately. Get ready tonight"
The next week Mcleod was seated in
his Office at Hambright receiving reports
from his political henchmen at Raleigh.
II tell you. Mcleod. there's a hitch
Something's dropped. Dukes as coy as
maid Of sixteen, He says no decision can
be made now until he submits a lot OF rot
70 all the lodges Of the alliance and the
referendum" decides these points. You'd
better get hold of him and comb the kinks
out OF him quick"
McBeod's eyes flashed with anger. as he
twisted the points or his red moustache.
It's that damned Baptist preacher" he
said. ''Ill get even with him yet If IT'S the
only thorough Job 1 do on this earth"
CHAPTER TX.
THE RHYTHM OF THE DANCE.
Before boarding the train he was to take
for Raleigh he fingered with Mrs Dur