The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-15
CURRENT

sfr. Morton has had plenty OF expe-
rience in handling la Dor organizations.
and IL Is probable that he will try 20
avoid a break with the one in the navy
yard. From the outlook. however, he
VIII have to make some pretty big
concessions in order to adjust differ
ences which nave been brought to his
attention. he may not know anything
o ships and the sea. but he will be
a valuable member of the cabinet, and
viii earn his salary IL he can keep the
LABOR unions on good terms with the
pres.dent--Savannah News
OF course. the superior percentage OF
white increase in the south is not to
be attributed 20 the superior fecundity
OF the white race. but TO immigration.
Al the same time the negro race has
lost by emigration TO the north. The
negro birth rate is higher han III OF
the Caucasian. but this is counterbal-
anced by his excessive death rate. The
bugaboo OF negro numerical domina-
ton has vanished forever, and every
year that adds to the increase of the
white population of the southern states
by immigration makes the negro less
n less of economic and political fac
tor. The inferior vitality of the negro
is conclusively shown by the fact tina
half Of the negroes in the United States
vi AZ " LAX
whites the medium line is . years OF
age.-Atlanta Constitution.
The London Spectator, a very serious
minded paper, shows itself also to be
an i'll informed paper in an explana-
ton II gives why If Englishmen were
TO think only Of their own interests
they would probably desire the success
of the democratic candidate in our
presidential election. This explanation
Is that "a democratic victory will mean
a small, as contrasted with a great,
navy for the democrats are opposed
l., to the development of American sea
, power Inasmuch as the foundation
of the new American navy was made
by q democratic administration,
through the direct agency of the late
William 9. Whitney this attribution to
the democratic party Of hostility to the
development of our navy is rather re-
narkable. Nor has any such opposi-
ton appeared in congress. nor, so far
as we have observed. in any democratic
paper.-New York Sun.
Since his retirement from pubfts life
MIR. Cleveland has given many evil
dences of a sense of humor never sus-
pected during his official career. The
latest and one of the most entertaining
instances of this occurred the other day
when he was asked what he wodld ID
if the nomination we're offered him
upon a silver platter True to his OPP
position to Silverism, Inc wittily eva6-
kag a categorical reply, he answered
that he would refuse the platter. Ars
election could bring him 10 additional
hOaor, and the nomination would i'm
posi- upon him much labor and some
risk He is sincere in saying he wishes
to remain a private citizen. But no
man has refused a presidential nominal
ton, and there is no reason why the
ex-president should refuse a nominal
ton taat has not been Offered to him.
Philadelphia Record.
The Philadelphia Record does not
think shat there will be any reduction
in the south'S Representations in con-
gress 80 limited by the republican plat
form, CT that any such actioni lis even
contemplated. When it was proposed
in contraction with the appordonment
under tie last census it did nOs secure
the support of a corporars guard
among tie republicans, and the propo-
sition in the platform is merely designed
to catch the negro vote in the northern
states, iuS some of which it holds the
balance or poyer." The view expressed
bv cur Philadelphia contemporary is
doubtless correct. We do not believe
that thers:fs any sincerity or truth or
ono whatsoever in the attitude OF the
republicans party towards the negro.
There never has been any honesty in
the republican position on this ques-
ton, and ne declaration in the Chica-
ga platform was made for the purpose.
as vur contemporary says. of catching
the negro vote in the northern states"
The point that we have made is that Il
the platform deliverance should be =
tually reduH.ed TO legislation the negro,
speaking of cours Of the negro in the
south. would be benefited in no way
whatever, list on the contrary would he
subjected to still further embarrass-
ment in the exercise of his natural and
proper rights. If the southern negro
had any sense at all, he would petition
his northern friends to let him alone.
Every time they have attempted to i'm
prove his condition they have made 1t
worse.-NeNs and Courier.