The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-13
qHEiR EHICkENs WILL COME
HOME To ROOST.

tn keep hands off and let them solve the
difficult problem which was forced
apon -hem. This oft-repeated request
has been in vain. These northern self
appointed guardians OF the freedmen
who knew nothing Of the conditions OF
the relations existing between the
former slave owners and their slaves
have insisted that they and they alone
were competent to solve this difficult
problem. They could not, or would
not understand the friendly relations
that existed at the south between theI
two races. They believed. or pretend
ed to believe that the old slave owners
were the mortal enemies of their for
mer slaves. They could not understand
the kindly feelings that existed be-
tween the two races; because the
white people of the south objected to
the negro being placed in political
power Dv-r them or were being gwen
the same political power. that thew
could tre4t them with fairness and
Justice "a ether respects.
Then there was the republican poll
tician who saw in the negrO's ignorance
and gratitude for the blessings of free
dom secured to him by the republican
party a rich field for political expl1ita-
ton. The south. though, soon rallied
and by means of which many of the
whites Jid not approve. but which No
cessity forced upon them, secured con-.
T-Nl ,e +E. - St1toc and ERTT after
year De;Ictuated that control. This
race question IN politics was becoming
each wear more obnoxious TO the
southern whites and finally by fran
chise amendments to their state on
stitutions they got rid of this noXious
question This was q democratic
movement. but it was acCuiased in by
the better class of republicans after 1t
was put in effect. because they saw it
was better for their states and they
also saT hat it gave a chance to
strengthen their party in this section.
At the time his movement by the
republicans to show that they had ac-
cepted the situation was ~inaugurateC
it was made to appear that the fed
eraI ADMINISTRATION approved OF such
course ana that with its consent tn
negro would be thenceforth eliminated
from politics in the south This new
political position of the negro had no
effect uUCE his standing in other re-
,spects with the white people 90 tn
south. the latter still conceded to hin
all his r,ebts under the law OF tn
states and of the federal government.
The white people continued to tax
themselves heavily to educate the NJ
gro children. The negro WAS thrust no
further from the pale of social eQualit,
with the whites, for he had alreaC-
learned IN the heyday OF his political
prosperity that there never would and
equality 1T the south.
The southern states lat gotten thi~
Yexed Trobiem of racial intercourse
Just where they cUuId begin to see .
happy solution in the future when the
president suddenly. it seem from his
conduct. changed his mind and because
the advocate of the Negroes civil rights.
This course many people believe was,
among DINER reasons. to secure To the
republican party II the north the con
-t1nuance Of the support Of the uaEroe-
OF that section. The momentous uues-
ton is: What will be the result OF thi
course oy the president? The negroes
of the s,Lth = with wonderful
equanim!ty accepted Il situation
forced up1, them by tho adoption Of
the state constitutional amendments
DISTINGUISHING most OF them. Il t.e=.
yer haG Any idea - q; any time at
tanning 10 soc.G, equality with th-
Ghites hey had long ago given II u
They E=va Away recognized The TACT
thu thcy were ri ne social OF POLITICAL
couseqUeE. ia this section. They naQ
learned to recognize the fact thai no,
matter low large their note, ii would
count lJr r.r:hiRg; that the white mem
OF the q. osing party We're determined
to rule ana would rule. This strict
allegian@e 70 the republican party gave
them no ground upon which to base
any claims for recognition socially byI
the whit PEOPLE Of the state.
This change of front by the president.
can have 10 effect in this respect at.
the SOUTH, but how will it be in thei
north where the solid negro vote
With the party in power in every oneI
of the state. The presidents recent
action regarding the Wilson postlnas-I
tership. TIE Charleston collectorshipl
and the Tndianoia postmastership will
convince them. whether correctly orr
not. thas the national republican partyI
is atra:1 OF their strength in thesei
no. II states; that il feels compelled
to D=1Iie great concessions to them.
The re s~aE-~al northern states inI
"i;i,a the negroes hold the BALANCED
u political power. These concessions