CHARLOTTE MESSENGER.
Published every; Saturday at'-Charlotte, N. C.
By W. C. Smith.
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W. C. SMITH. Charlotte, N. C.
Short correspondence of subjects of interest
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communications go to the waste basket.
WHY HO THEY LEAVEJ
The question is often asked : why
do the colored people leave the
South ? The reason is not the ill
treatment at the hands of the whites ;
for while the treatment is cruel in
some localities at times, it is not as
bad as it was some years ago. It
is not because they arc tired of their
old homes and want to seek new
ones : for our people are as fond of
Dixie and the sunny South as the
whites are. They leave the South
because they arc paid such poor
wages here and have such fine induce
ments offered them in the western
country.
We have always advised our people
to remain in the South, for they are
not only naturally adapted to this
climate and the labor needed here,
but destined to rule this section of
, the country as soon as we prepare
ourselves to govern. But how can we
continue to tell our people to stick to
the old plantation, when the wages
they get will not enable them to pay
their debts and wear decent clothes,
much less buy homes and educate
their children ? In the west they are
offered such inducements as to hope
to have a few dollars at the end of
the year and bring their childreu up
under freer and more favorable cir
cumstances.
It would be better for us and for
our white friends if we staid here in
the South. The colored people go
west for the same reason that for
eigners come to America. They
think they are too thick to do well
here in the South They think they
can do better by leaving, and while
they think so, they are justified in
going. It is with the white people
of the South to correct this erroneous
idea, if it is an error. Thousands of
colored people have gone from the
Caroliuas to the western States in the
last few years. Many fields are
growing up into forests again on ac
count of the colored people leaving.
Many farms have become worthless
because there is no one to cultivate
the farm. There is a remedy. Let
it be applied. Treat the Negro as
a man. Pay him living wages, stop
forcing him to buy needless fertilizers
and stop cheating him out of his earn
ings. Let him see the condition im
proving and he will be more honest
an trusty. If he wants to buy land
give him a fair chance. Encourage
in him the elements that make men
and women : Industry, economy, mo
rality, prudence and intelligence.
The colored people leave the South
because they think the condition of
some is but little better than slavery.
If a man makes just enough to feed
and clothe himself and family and
works all the time for some one else,
how is his condition better than a
slave ? They leave because they are
anxious to better their condition and
the propositions made them by west
ern farmers are tempting. Stop their
going by paying better wages in cash
and fewer store orders. When these
things are done the Negro will not
want to go west or any place else, but
will live and die in the Sunny South.
WHAT ARE WE DOING.
It is strange to sec how hard it is to
convince some people ofthcability ofthe
Negro to advance in the world. Some
old fogy is trying to prove now that!
the Negro is actually dying out in the i
South and that within a hundred j
years the race will will be extinct.
The same parties deny the statistics of
the States and shut their eyes against
all evidence of material advancement
of the race. Wc arc sometimes asked
by intelligent colored men if we think
the Negro is making any real advance- 1
ment.
People too often look on the dark 1
side of the question. A great many 1
Negroes arc making no visible pro
gress, but there arc thousands and
hundreds of thousands of children in
our common schools, academies and
colleges. Million of acres of land is
owned by the Negro in the Southern
States, and the condition of these
must be improved. It should not be
expected that every individual Negro
will be improved in morals, intellect
or otherwise. There is an indolent
class, and on account of the evils of
slavery that class is expected to bo
larger among colored than the white.
That class of colored people will
never be improved. Some of them
are worse than they were in slavery
times. They have but little sense
and their liberty makes them mad.
This is not peculiar to the Negro
race.
The way to sec whether or not the
Negro is making advancement is,com
pare the Negro of to-day with the Ne
gro of 1865,1808-1870 and 1880. In
1865 they had nothing. To-day, in
North Carolina he pays taxes on six
million dollars worth of property, as
an evidence of his industry and econ
omy. We have in this State twelve
normal schools with an attendance of
about thirteen hundred (1300) young
men and women ; five colleges with an
attendance of about six hundred. We
have three schools of theology and
one of medicine. Would any one
dare say these schools are not improv
ing the Negro ?
A higher standard of morals is be
developed in the home and in the
church. He buys pictures and books
and newspapers. He loves music and
we venture to say there are hundreds
of organs in the homes of the colored
people of this State. We have a
number of practicing physicians, and
lawyers and scores of learned preach
ers and teachers. The man that can
not see the improvement in the Ne
gro, is blinded with ignorance or
prejudice.
SCHOOL CLOSING IN RICHMOND.
Mr. Editor: —lt was my pleasure
to be present, and witness the closing
exercises of the Rocky Mount public
school, which took place on the 9th
inst. I may add that the exercises
spoke well for the principal, (J. W.
Alman,) the son of Hon. J. C. Al
man, of Marlboro county, S. C.
There was a very large assemblage,
and as for eatables it is almost im
possible to make an estimate. And
during the day classes were brought
forward in the different branches of
study ; Spelling Bee, Reading, Geog
raphy, Grammar, History, Arithme
tic, &c., and the recitation in each
branch was very good indeed. There
were several of the pupils of the
school that went even beyond ordi
nary, and fully deserves credit, viz :
Misses Virginia Covington, Julia Cov
ington, Florence Dockery, Neallie
Dockery, Mary A. EUcrbee, Carrinna
Linck, and Rosa Ingram. And the
day passes by gently, and light dis
appears, so lighted candles are seen
in the school-room, and now the
grandest of all was the declamations,
and dialogues that would make one
feel good within and without to listen
to And next especially the ones
delivered by Mr. Jas. Gillis, and
Miss Helen Covington. Visitors pres
ent on this occasion were Hons. W.
H. Quick, J. C. Alman, of Benuetts
ville, S. C., and each of the above
named gentlemen made very encour
aging speeches, after exercises of the
school were over. There subjects were
colored race maintain a good charac
ter, and buy land and get property.
Before I close I will state that there are
a good many subscribers to the Messe.n
oer in our vicinity, and still there
would be no trouble in securing as
many more. The Messenger is al
ways acceptable with us it is Rich
mond county’s favorite. lam now
taking and paying for three nuivspa- 1
pers, and the most welcome one is the
Messexokr. A. W. Covington.
Rockingham. N. C., March 13th, 1888.
CHURCH AND "SCHOOL WORK.
Mr. Editor l’lcasc allow me
space enough in your valuable paper
to inform your many readers, and the
public what wc are doing iu this part
of the country: spiritually and intc
lecually. I am having a glorious
time over here on this work. Since j
Conference we have gone to work and
raised about *35 .00 at one of my ;
churches for eeiling and other pur
poses, and have ceiled the church, and
we arc now making preparations to
purchase a bell and stove. My other
churches are moving along nicely.
On the 25th aud 26th of Feb. the
presiding elder Rev. R. H. Simmons
was with us at Bcnettsvillc church
and we were pleased to see him look
ing so well. Wc also had a nice quar
terly Conference, business all moved
along pleasantly, no lengthy discus
sions on any subject came up during
the session. Wc also rocicved a very
nice little sum of money on Saturday
and Sunday. The total amount col
lected during the elders stay with us
was $26. lam pleased to say that we
paid our presididg elder every cent
due him on his first rouud. So stations
look out how many can exclaim with
Harrisville Circuit that you have paid
your presiding elder every cent due
him on his first round? He not
only works after his salary or quarter
age, but thinks of the pastor in the
meantime, and does every thing that
possibly can be done in the pastor’s
favor.
The public schools are all closing
out now, after spending three months
in school the children are real anx
ious to continue going : but I sec no
chance ; the parents need their chil
dren, so they say, and we won’t say
anything to them concerning a sub
scription school. On the 3d of March
we were called out to witness the
closing exercises of Mr. W. J. Side’s
school, which was certainly grand.
The exercises were excellent from the
beginning to the ending. Opened at
11 A. M., and closed at 2 P. M.
Afterwards the parents of the children
came forward with their baskets and
buckets laden with rich something to
cat. A long table was then appro
priated for the occasion where all the
children and visitors walked up laugh
ing and talking and eating the very
richest kind of goodies and provisions
that could be had for the time of a year.
After a refreshment of an hour wc
were called in where we were enter
tained by a lively spelling match
After a hard contest between the two
Captains one of them came out vic
torious. Then wc were dismissed un
till night. After having an intermis
sion of an hour and a half or two we
were called together where we were
entertained by speeches, dialogues,
music and so on. Afterwards Bro.
Sides came forward before a very ap
preciated and intelligent audience,
and made use of some very interest
ing remarks, saying we long to see
the day come when ignorance, vice
and superstition shall be done away,
with, and the refulgent rays of the
beautiful sunlight of education shall
burst into the hearts and minds of
every boy and girl in the United
States. Stating that no better way
could be thought of or reached, to
give our boys and girls a common ed
ucation than by the passage of the
Blair educational bill. Let us all
send up our voices in prayer to God
that we may have the bill passed for
the benefit of our poor boys and girls.
Then if Congress will not make some
provision for the passage of the bill
God will. lam yours in Christ,
J. S. Mcßae.
Cottonville, N. C., March 14th, 1888.
The Vendetta.
In some parts of Europe when fam
ilies of high degree have a disagree
ment is is called a vendetta. In old
times in Mississippi, when rich plant
ers became angry with each other, it
was called a sued. In this communi
ty, the disagreements between ne
groes and whites is called “an old
grudge.” A vendetta, a sued, or an
“old grudge” can only exist between
individuals who are on equality so
cially, mentally and otherwise.
For some time there has been an
“old grudge” between Bill Stockton
and a family of colored people named
Moores. They met on our streets
last Saturday and proceeded to set
tle this “old grudge.” The Moores
thought they were ns good as Stock
ton, and the Stockton thought he was i
as good as the Moores. Aud they
both were correct in their estimate :
of each other. The Moore’s were un
armed, while Stockton was a walking
arsenal. One of the Moores was
shot down but Stockton came nut un
hurt.
If the “old grudge” could have!
been settled on the spot by Stockton j
and the Moores that would have
been the end of it, but other parties
got involved. A revenue officer ap
peared, brandishing a largo stone in
the face of the entire colored popula
tion, and other respcotablc white cit
izens took part to keep the clever
revenue officer from being hurt. In
the meantime, the colored race be
gan to assemble, and seeing one of
their number lyiug on the pavement
bleeding like a hog, they became en
raged. While all this was going on
the police were so anxious that
they allowed him to coolly reload
his pistol.
Finally the riot cooled down from
exhaustion. The contending parties
were invited and coaxed to go to the
magistrates office, and their trials
were postponed until next Saturday.
The United States Goverment was
conveniently near by to go Stock
ton’s security. The Negroes applied
to all the magistrates in town for
peace warrants for Stockton, and
not a magistrate would issue the
warrants. The result was that Stock
ton was in town Monday morning,
aud had another “nigger” bleeding
by early sunrise.
In the interest of our community
we arc compelled to defend the ac
tion of the magistrate in not issuing
peace warrants for Stockton. Wa
vering our character for veracity just
a little, we assert that the magis
trate did not act from corrupt mo
tives in not putting Stockton under
a peace bond, but it was because they
were afraid of him.
But the colored people don’t reason
like we do. They say : “The police
stood by and allowed him to shoot
us down, the magistrates refuse to
make him keep the peace because
they want him to shoot us down,
the United States Goverment goes
his bond so he can be free to shoot
us down, and when the whole mat
ter comes to the court, he can pull
the Landmark out of his pocket and
show that the Mayor, in acknowl
edging the receipt of a Christmas
bottle, has given him a character for
being a good an orderly citizen and
bar-keeper. What are we to do ? If
we kill hin wc know from experience
that we will go to jail only long
enough to allow his friends to pre
pare the ropes to lynch us. The log
ic of circumstances has forced us to
our last resources. We can vote
him out of the township. He can’t
do anything in this community but
make and sell whisky, and he can
only do that because the negro vote
has given him the privilege. Whil
we have always voted the liquor
ticket, we are compelled to vote the
prohibition ticket to clear of Stock
ton, and we are going to do it.”
The above is a true account of the
prohibition movement set on foot in
this town since last Monday morn
ing. The idea was not thought of
Saturday evening nor Sunday, and
as it was a full grown sentiment ear
ly Monday morning, ic may be possi
ble that while the Almighty was here
Sunday, He caught the devil moving
around in the foot prints of the Rev.
Mr. Pearson, and He concluded to
crush him —Statesville Mail.
VIRGINIA HOUSE,
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
Accommodations furnished travelers at
reasonable rates. Comfortable beds and
rooms. House located iu the central aud
business part of the city. Table furnished
with the best ofthe market. Meals at all hours.
J. M. GOODE, - Proprietor.
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
BOARDING house,
C O NCOBD, N . C .
The traveling puplic will be accommodated
with comfortable rooms mid board. House
situated on DejHit street, in front of the sem
inary, near de|H>t, and convenient to all visi
tors. Terms reasonable.
J. E. JOHNSON.
■ Piflo’s Remedy for Catarrh is the H
Bust, Easiest to Use, aud Cheapest.
■ Sold by dmggist* or sent by mail. K
50c. E. T. Hazoltine. Warren, Pa.
Baa m mb m $
THE REST IN USE.
When not for sale by focal dealers, wc will mail
13 leading styles in ia boxes of i dozen each, o.
receipt ul9l.Lt.
4 styles School Pens, 4 boxes, 1 do*, each, 90.41
4 “ Business •• 4 “ 1 “ •* .4’
4 " Business k Stubs, 4 boxes, 1 doz. each, .4
UlfM THE warn BROS. (TTLERT CO. lent* Con.
*ffIjm“BLYMYER MANUFACTURING CO
<^^^‘>l C U ATALU[,U _ Wl ™ ieo ° USTIMONUIS
GRAND DISPLAY
o r
LADIES’ DRESS MATERIALS,
at 10c.. 121 c., 15c., 20c., 28c. ami up. In 18 of tlie newest shades.
MOIREE SILK, | SUIiAH SILK,
14 Shades, at 68 cents per yard. I 19 Shades, at 66 cents per yard.
BUSTLES I CORSETS
at 25 cents each. These stand unsurpassed. | at 28 cents a pair. Perfect fitting.
LADIES’ MUSLIN UNDERWEAR,
CHEMISE at 25 cents and up.
DRAWERS at 25 cents and up.
CORSET COVERS at 25 cents and up.
SHIRTS, full long, 39 cents and up.
CORSET COVERS 25 cents and up.
BRAND NEW STOCK
OF
Gentlemen’s Clothing
has arrived. NO SHODDY GOODS.
A. DERIVE | AT 48 cents you buy a man’s unlaundried
IN THE Dress Shirt, linen bosom, re-inforced hack
HAPPY HIT SHIRT and front and Patent Seams.
H. BARUCH,
Regulator of Low Prices.
E. M. ANDREWS,
Has the largest and Most Complete Stock of .
FURNITURE
In North. Carolina.
COFFINS & METALLIC CASES.
Pianos and Qrgans
Ofthe Best Makes on the Installment Plan. Low Prices and Easy Terms.
Send for Prices.
Chickering Pianos, Arion Pianos,
Bent Pianos, Mathushek Pianos,
Mason & Hamlin Pianos.
Mason & Hamlin Organs, Bay State
Organs, Packard Organs,
E. M. ANDREWS, : : : Tuade Street, Charlotte, N. C.
T ZE3I IE3
Messenger
is published every Saturday at
CHARLOTTE, - - N. C.,
in the interests of the
COLORED PEOPLE
AND THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY.
It is the only Republican paper in the
Western end of the sixth
Congressional District.
Subscription, $1.50 per year.
W. C, Smith,
Editor and Proprietor, Charlotte, N. C.
SEND. YOUR ORDERS FOR
JOB FRHTTHTC,
of uny and every description to
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