The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-12-16
TAF1'S PLEA
For White Republican Party in
the South.
CAN SEE NO DANGER

OF Negro Domination, and Says Race
Problem is Eliminated Politically.
He Asserts That This Sections
Interests Are No Longer Bound
Up In Democracy.
New York, Dec. 7.-President-
elect william, H. Taft, who came TO
New York today to address the
North Carolina society Of this city,
was given a tumultous reception to-
night by the members Of the organ
ization and prominent men from all
parts Of the South at the annual din
ner of the North Carolinans at the
Hotel Astor. Five hundred members
and guests of the society filled the
brilliantly decorated banquet hall
which was redolent Of the pines OF
the resinous trees forming the back
ground for more fragrant blooms,
which were scattered everywhere o.
er snowy linens and flag-draped
walls. Intertwined ensigns of the
State and nation were conspicuous
In the decorations of the banquet
hall, and larger flags were displayed
In front of the hotel throughout the
day and evening.
Mr.. Taft, in the course OF an
address, which was confined entire
" to the South and Its problems
urged again that the voters OF the
South should break away from the
outlived sentiment and traditions
of their past political affiliations and
cast their ballots in accordance
rather with their economic and a
political beliefs.
Mr.. Taft declared that nothing
would give him greater pride during
his coming term in the chief execu-
tive office than so to direct the policy
of the national government with re-
spect to the Southern States as to
convince the intelligent citizens OF
the South Of the desire OF his ad-
minstraton to aid them in working
out satisfactorily the serious prob
lens before them and Of bringing
them and their Northern fellow citi-
zens closer and closer in sympathy
and point Of view.
White Supremacy Assured.
81 am not going to rehears the
painful history of Reconstruction or
what followed it. l come at once
to the present condition Of things:
stated from a constitutional and po-
litical standpoint. And that is this:
That in all Southern States. 1t is
possible, by election laws prescribing
proper qualifications for the stuff
rage. which square with the 18th
amendment and which shall b.
equally administered as between the
black and white races, to prevent
entirely the possibility of a domino
ton of Southern State, county OF
municipality governments by an ig'
norant electorate, white or black
1t is also true that the sooner such
laws when adopted are applied with
exact equality and justice to the
two races the better for the moral
tone Of the State and community
concerned. Negroes should be given
an opportunity equally with whites
by education and thrift to meet the
requirements of eligibility which
shall lay down in order to secure
the safe exercise Of the electoral
franchise. The negro should ask
for nothing other than an eQua.
chance to qualify himself for the
franchise and when that is granted
by law and not denied by executive
discrimination, he has nothing to
complain Of.
"The proposal to repeal the 18th
amendment Is utterly impracticable
and should be relegated to the limLo
OF forgotten issues. What we are
considering Is something practical
something that means attainable
progress. 1t seems to me to follow,
therefore. that there is CT ought to
be a common ground upon which we
can all stand in respect to the race
question in the South and it's po-
litical bearing that takes away any
justification for maintaining the con-
ttnued solidity of the South to pre-
vent the so-called negro domination.
The fear that in some way or other
a social equality between the races
shall be enforced by law or brought
about by political measures really
has no foundation except in the i'm
agination OF those who fear such a
result. The federal government has
nothing to do with social equality,
The war amendments do not declare
In favor Of social equality; all that
the law or constitution attempts to
secur is equality of opportunity be-
fore the law and in the pursuit OF
happiness and in the enjoyment o.
life, liberty and prosperity. Social
equality is something that grows out
of voluntary concessions by the in
%dividuals forming society.
Reasons of Sentiment"
With the elimination Of the race
question can we say that there are
removed all the reasons why the
people of the South are reluctant;
to give up their political solidity
and divide themselves on party lines
in accordance with their ecnnnrnin