The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-28

his district. Naturally the opposition
of Knox's paper is regarded with ap-
nrehension. To meet TIE emergency
The World prints the following letter
from the author of the bill for the re-
auction OF southern representation IL
congress:
"Editor indianapolis World: Your
letter Of the 18th instant came in due
course of mail, but I was away from
home, and, therefore. not able TO give
II earlier attention. NV bill for h re-
duction of representation in congress-
was never voted pom by and nay
vote. Mr.. Oyerstreet, OF your city, was
in favor Of the measure and has al
ways been one Of its supporters.
THE republican platform has declar-
ed for it. The president is all right.
and If we elect a republican congress
there will be something done along the
line I have been working on. I sincere
Iy hope Mr.. Overstreet will be return
ed by a substantial majority. IL he is
beaten your district will be represented
by a democrat, and, OF course. he viii!
oppose all attempts to establish the
complete civil and political equality OF
the colored man. 1t is highly impor-
tant that every effort be made to see
that Mr.. Overstreet is triumphantly
elected. Sincerely yours,
e. l.. CfsO hHAOhEH-
The World follows Nj. Crumpacker's
frank communication with these inci5-
i've, If not fetching, remarks upon its
not very highly esteemed contempora-
~, the editor Of The Freeman:
THE above shows that Mr.. Over
street has placed himself on record as
opposed to negro disfranchisemenr.
What has Knox to say in answer to
this?. Will he continue to wage his
campaign and to chase will o wisps
after being informed by one in posi-
ton to know, that he has made a cruel
and unjust attack upon a man who IS
the peer Of any man who occupies a
seat in congress? We predict that be-
fore the election is over Knox viii
land himself safely and securely in the
democratic party. There can be 10
middle ground He has passed the
point where he can yield to the wishes
of his friends, consistent with pride
and vanity. The negro voters of this
district will not permit him to deliver
them over to the democratic party, nor
will they permit him to betray them
into the hands Of the common enemy
without fighting him to the bitter end.
Knox will not only be defeated. but
slaughtered. He will retire on the night
of the Sth Of November n awake the
next morn all covered-nOt with glory,
but with scars"
Mr.. Crumpaker is a statesman of
marked ability and firm integrity, but
he has long been rather an affliction
than a blessing to the leaders Of his
party in congress and to republican
administrations. In 1900, before the
campaign began, he was induced to
yield to wishes Of President Mckinley
so far as to halt in his crusade for re-
ductiOn of representation. Since this
years campaign opened the republican
press has shown a pronounced disin-
cIinat1on to discuss or even refer to
this subject. One prominent repubii-
can paper, the leading organ of that
party in New England, said, immedi-
ately after the national convention had
completed it's work, that the indorse-
ment of the Crumpacker~ Proposition in
the platform was not intended to be
aiken seriously. But it is a serious
matter in Mr.. Crumpacker's estimation.
The republican platform has declar-
ed for it," he says; "the president is all
right n if We elect a republican con-
greSs, there VIII be something DON
along the line I have been working on
viii that declaration help to elect a
republican house of Representatives.
Is 1t a timely contribution to the liter.
allure of the republican campaign,
Will Mr.. Cortelyou's committee see
that it has wide circulation in the
mails, and that it is read to the masses
of the people by every republican spell.
blnder who graces a stump? We sus-
pect this will not happen, but there is
little doubt that Mr.. Crumpacker has
equipped the democratic management
with an effective implement of warfare
that will be skillfully handled in many
localities.