The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-18

took il. and who today. in spite OF
every obstacle which unjust and re-
lentless criticism daily throws across
Il path, are carrying its burden with
a patience. a wisdom, a forbearaace,
and a progress never bsfore equaled
in human history. loud APPLAUSE
In the unfair treatment of the black
man, in the unjust solution OF the
problem his presence presents, the peo-
pie OF the South can see nothing but
unrest, nothing but unhappiness, We
can see nothing but intense race pre-
judice; We can see nothing but the re-
kindling Of sectional feeling, now, bless
God, so rapidly vanishing; We can see
nothing but the universal condemna-
ton Of mankind. We seek, we desire.
we pray, for a just conclusion. loud
applause.) Our efforts are ben 10 the
task. Our peace, our happiness, our
prosperity, our highest aspirations for
ourselves, our best hopes for our chill
dren, are wrapped up in its righteous
settlement. Aye, more, u honor de-
mands its fair adjustment. loud ap-
plause.) Every thoughtful mar in the
South comprehends in its fullness the
meaning of a fair and an unfair treat
ment of the colored man, of a just and
an unjust solution of the problem.
Sirs, We have not been without sad
and bitter experiences. We have too
often in days gone by, which We pray
will never return. seen that horrible
something called race prejudice, reach
its elimination. With humiliation we
have stood by helpless and watched the
irresponsible controlling the destiny
and debating the policy Of great States.
until it seemed that the hopeless hour
had come II the night Of despair had
settled down upon our people forever.
We have seen, too, the reserved
forces Of intelligence, patriotism and
manhood, in common alliance, rise out
Of the darkness, and, driven TO desper-
alton by intolerable conditions, boldly
take State after State, out Of the hands
Of the irresponsible and put it back
into the hands of the responsible citi-
zenship.
For the good of all, for the peace
and welfare of both races, needful
changes have beer made in the Con-
situations Of many of the Southern
States with respect to the ballot. These
changes have breathed into the body
of organized society the breath Of a
eve and better life. The political
status of the black man has for d
time, at least, been fixed, not by force
or fraud, but in peace and by law.
He has, it seems, accepted the situa-
ton in good faith-a situation disap-
pointing to him, necessary to us, and
better for both. The race issue has
been taken from politics. (~Applause.)
But with these changes has come
rev responsibility, the full assumption
of which demands, and is daily re.
ceiving, the best wisdom and the nest
forbearance of the white people Of the
South. Since we have written into
u Constitutions, over his protest and
appeal, a power which denies to him
the right of unrestricted ballot it en-
phasizes anew the obligation upon
the honor of the white people of
the South to see to it that the black
man shall receive absolute justice in
all things, to see to it that the con-
duct of the white man toward him
shall be such as to make him know
and feel that he shall have absolute
security in the enjoyment of all his
rights Cloud a%pplause.)
Politically helpless, driven by con-
%stitutional provisions to confide in oGr
honor and in ous justice for the pro-
lection of his rights under the laws
and the constitution, every impulse OF
honorable manhood binds US to a full
faithful compliance with that obiiga-
ton. Cloud applause.) If with one
hand we have struck him down n
the right of unqualified suffrage, the
world shall know that with the other
we intend to lift him up into a higher
manhood into a better citizenship
(Renewed applause.) My friends, we
can afford to be candid with each 9TH
er. We know, you know, he knows,
the world knows, that, in spite of hopes
and theories and leagues the black
man of America is, and perhaps will
always be, under the political donlin-
ion of the white man, whether in the
North Or in the South; whether in
Massachusetts, or in Mississippi;
whether in Republican Illinois Or in
Democratic Carolina. (Applause) His
political rights are as we, North or
South, ordain. His political rights are
as we, North or South, bestow. But
with us he is our neighbOr. (Applause.)
He is treated with utmost kindness.
He is neither oppressed nor defrauded.
He is protected in life, liberty, and pro-
perty. We are making him a better
citizen, a better man. We encourage
him in every line or honorable endeaV-
or. The stronger owes nc less 70 the
weaker. (Applause.) Years ago in the
United States Senate an eminent Geor-
gian, the late Ben Hill, gave utter
ance to this sentiment: "COwardice
takes no meaner shape than when
power Expresses weakness"
The white people Of the South are a
brave people. In their great white
breasts are all the grand, composite
elements of true, manly courage. ZAP
plause.) Into the hearts and con
sciences Of these brave men has come |
that sentiment to influence their con-
duct towards and their relations with
the black men. loud applanse.) |
What are we doing for him?
1t may surprise you to learn tina
the South is spending every year-and
4l~ o~o1,-r 80 -aarIv naraocinp-f ]