CAUCASIAN.
Voi-. XVIII.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, MAY 10, 1900.
No. 23.
Hon. W. R. HENRY AND THE AMENDMENT
He Answers Some Questions with Convincing
Logic and Quotations.
A HENRY GHADY ARTICLE.
Tha Amendment JienmtHollooal A
P.rt May Stand -It would rtoltd Up a
Negro ArUtocraej t'nJot ti
a roe.
uol Ne-
Pitthiioko, N.C., April 6, 19X).
Hon. Waitku Hknky,
Charlotte, N. C
Dkak Silt Having seen nothing
from you in tho pn-ns relative to
tho propositi constitutional amend
ment; and knowing that your offi
cial duties have prevented you f om
taking that actlvo part in politics
which has for twenty years been
your custom ; and having great con
fidence in y. ur ability as a lawyer;
and being awaroof the Interest you
always take in those questions that
aftVct the great maswo of our peo
ple ; we desire to submit to you tho
following questions:
1st Is tho proposod amendment
constitutional?
'2d. If unconstitutional, will It
stand or fall as a whole?
:!rd. If passed, wha; would bo the
effect on the ma.
4th. What is the purpose of tho
proposed amendment?
5th. Htato your position on tho
amendment.
nth. Please give us your opinion
on the Election Law.
Very respectfully,
J. J. Jknkins
R II. Dixon,
J.T. I'AHCffAL,
K. II. LlNKHKKItY.
(Ik.nti.kmkn; Your letter above
set forth just received. You are
correct in surmising that my offi
cial duties have prevented me from
taking an active part in politics.
They are pressing and heavy. Oth
erwise, I would address tho people
of North Carolina from the moun
tains to the sea, In opposition to
the proposed amendment, and In
explanation and portrayal of the
tyranny and Injustice of the Dem
ocratic' Election Law.
I have no time In which to give
you my opinion at length, as you
do me the honor to request, in an
swer to the questions akel.
I will reply to your questions
briefly In sequence.
Question 1st. Is the proposed
amendment constitutional?
Answer Many of our people have
never read tho suctions of tho pro
posed amendment in question. I
deem It well to sot them forth in
this connection :
"Sec. 4. Kverv person presenting
himelf for registration shall De able to
read and write any section or me ton
stitution in tbe English language;
ami, b-fore he shall be entitled to vote,
hva paid, on or betore me dmv
ilv of March of the year in
which he proposes to vote, his
poll-tax, as prescribed by law, for
the nrwinu-t Tear P;ill-taxes shall be
a lien only on assessed property,and no
process shaU iseue to enforce the col
lection of the same except against as
sessed Dronertv.
"Sec. 5. No male person, who was on
January 1, 1867, or at any time prior
thereto, entitled to vote order the laws
of any State in the United States
wherein he then resided, and no lineal
descendant of any such person, shall be
denied the right to register and vote at
anv election in this State by reason of
his failure to possess the educational
qualifications prescribed in Section 4
of this Article : Provided, lie shall have
rendered in occordance with the
terms of this section prior to Decem
ber 1, 1908 "
On tho faco of the above sections,
It seems to me that any man of or
dinary Intelligence, who is ac
qua In ted witn the Fifteenth
Amendment to tho Federal Constl
tutlon : who retotrnlzes bis duty to
the flag; and who riepls s the pre
te-,se llu.t this Is not a dlscrlmina
ablest Democrats in the United States
Senate have declared it to be unconsti
tlonal. He at.r OfiVry and McEnery
have both protested against its passage
and r ave declared that it contravenes
the FVderal Constitution. In this opin
ion they are joined by tucb stalwart
Democrats and uncompromising State)
rights Senators and Congressmen as
the following :'
"Tnen follows the names of Senators
and Congressmen who are recognized
as among the albest constitutional law
yers in this body and in the other
House. The New Orleans Tiinrs-Dem
ocrat ban not since that time changed
its opinion as to the unconstitution
ality of this measure. That paper in
many recent editorials has repeated
the opinion that was expressed the day
after the action of the convention. I
read the following from an editorial of
recent isue :
"The people of North Carolina will
vote in August on the proposed consti
tu ional amendment disfranchising the
uneducated negroes from voting, and
which contains the famous grandfather
laue. borrowed frnui the Louisiana
Constitution. The grand
father clause,which the Louisiana con
stitutional convention invented, is ob
jected to as of doubtful constitution
ality, containing elements of great
danger. The theory that the
opposition to the grandfather clause
Cjmet from the Republicans is wholly
untrue. The Northern Democrat have
unanimously declared againstthis plan
of disfranchising the nfgroas uncon
stitutional.' "t
tioii a-'rilnst the negro, must see
that ibU measure is unconstitu
tional. ' ln.se who eed argument to con-
I nee them of its unconstitutionali
ty, are nspictfuilycited iothe;ow
eifuiant unanswerable pnsinta
tioti or the law o thissubj. ci.mado
by Senators l"rlicbard,butler,Ptti
g'resv and Allen ; and to tho opinion
of tha: constitutional lawyer, who
Is conceded even by the Democrats
to bo tbw greatest constitutional j
authority in America senator Ed
munds of Wrmont.
These arguments, it seems to me,
ou fht to be sufllcienr to satLfy any
min of the unconstitutionality of
the proposed amendment.
You will find the answer, to your
seoond question fully covered by
the) arguments referred to; wherein
it is established that if Section 5
unconstitutional, oec-
WHAT THS WASHINGTON POST SAYS.
"The Washington Post, which has
never joined in the sectional crusade
against the people of the South, and
which probably understands the pecu
liar social and industrial conditions of
our section better than any other Nor
thern paper, takes the same view. In
deed, the Post is the strongest aeren -
der that the South has among North
ern papers. Yet that paper denounces
the amendment as unconstitutional
and wicked in morals. I read the fol
lowing extract from a rer ent editorial :
It is to be hoped that senator Hur
ler speak by inspiration when he pre
dicts the defeat of the North Carolina
suffrage amendment.
" 'If it sought simply to make the act
of voting an intelligent and mligb'ened
fuootion and to reiluo-! to a micimum
the opportunities of bribery and cor
ruption, we should nan it as a step to
ward purity ami wnoiesouienes in
politics. But, as we see the matter,
the scheme is hdip!t to disfranchise
the uneducated negro because he is
black, and to protecc at lea9t a mai or-1
ity of the whites who would otherwise
be disfranchista unaer an impariia!
application of the same rule.
" 'We believe the plan to hi unconsti
tutional, as we know it has been so de
nounced by both the Louisiana Sena
tors in the case of their own State, and
we have not the slightest doubt that i
is wicked in morals as it is stupid and
blundering in expediency.
" The defeat of this measure will be
a national b-nefaction.' "
Question 3rd. If passed, what
would bo the effect on the masses?
Answer If Section 5 were de
clared unconstitutional, uneduca
ted whites and blacks, alike, would
be disfranchised, as stated. If de
clared constitutional, about six
ty thousand uneducated negroes
would be disfranchised; leaving
about the same number with tne
right of the ballot; which would
have the effect of creating a quasi
negro aristocracy thinking them
selves elevated by the discrimina
tion in their favor, and against the
uneducated half of their race.
If educated neeroes 'e now some
times insolent, rffdnsive, and aggres
sive, in my humble opinion, this dis
crimination made by the Democracy
in their favor, would make them
much worse than ever before.
This amendment would strike dwn
that nr.rriim of the neero rs.ee, to
which tho great Graiy dWarf-d that
ti e S u h owd an uLdyine deb: of
giatitude .hat portion of the race,
tha mikes the ten million biles o'
cotton a year for the eJ.iuh and up
on whoso couteutnnt and labor the
r-. . t i
prosperity of thy ntn s largely
depcd ; wml-six y or seventy thou
sand educVd nejjr-.'cs, wtsoe lips
have never frm d the ws .TiJS "Mas
a and Miasms.'' a Urge portion of
wtjom are straug-re to the corn field,
atd despite the he handlj, would
b left T vote.
Iq 1898 Hecy W Grdy, the iool
f the 8 nth, uiad a k speech
ia tne heart of the North, on the race
prooteDi.
Mr. Gradv bespoke the patience, ol
the North, " Whilst the Sou'h works
out ttiia great racial problem along
the line of absolute justice to the ne-
God that she is safe in ber sanctuary,
because her slaves, sentinel in the si
lent cabin, on guard at ber chamber
door, put a black man's loyalty be
tween her and danger. I catch anoth
er vision. The crisis of battle a sol
dier struck, staggering, fallen. I see
a frlave, struggling through the smoke,
winding bis black arms about the fall
en form, reckless of hurtling death
bending bis trusty face to catch the
words that tremble on the stricken
lips, so wrestling meantime with ago
ny that be would lay down his life in
bis master's stead. I seel him by the
I weary bedside, ministering with on-
complaining paiience, praying witn
all his humble heart that God will lift
hit master op, until death comei in
mercy acd in honor to still tha sol
dier's agony and seal the soldier's life
I cee him by the open grave, mute,
motionless, uncovered, suffering 'or
the death of him who in life fought
against hia freedom. I see him when
the mound is heaped and the great
drama of his life is closed, turn away
and with downcast eyes and uncertain
step start out. into new and s-range
fields, faltering, struggling, but mov
ing on, until his shambling figure is
lost in the light of this better and!
brighter day. And from the grave
comes a voice saying, "Follow him I
Put your arms about him in his need,
even as he put his arm about me. Be
bis friend as he was mine." And out
into this new world strange to me as
to him, dazaliug, bewildering both I
follow 1 And may God forget my peo
ple when they forget these I
Next It is provided that no man
white or black, notwithstanding sec
tiou five, is to be allowed to vote,
who has not paid his poll tax by the
first of March of the year in which
he proposes to vote.
There are many thousands of white
men of this unfortunate class in
North Carolina every year, how
many, I will no undertake to say.
I have not been able to under
stand how Democratic speakers and
editors can bring themselves to tell
the people that this provision will
not disfranchise ''a single white
mar;' I only know that I cannot in
consonance with either jjlogic or law,
reconcile that statement with the
truth.
Bat the provision of the proposed
amendment that most arouses my
opposition, and which standing alone
patting all other considerations
out of view, in my opinion is suffi
cient by itself, to condemn and de
feat it, is the provision that every
uneducated white boy reaching the
voting ag?, after 1908, shall be dis
franchised shall be classed with the
uneducated negroes, and the unfort
unate disfranchised whites, while an
army of educated negroes exercise
the right of freemen.
Uj'iestion four. What 13 the pur-
pore of the proposed amendment!
Answer Iu my opinion the pur
pose of this measure is to so strength
en Hud bulwark the D-mocratie
lique, and to so paraliza future op
position, as that the Democratic
leaders will no longer have anything
to far from the people, whatever
tb-ir future purposes and record
Q lestioa five S ate your position
on the proposed amendment.
Answer. My position on the pro
posed amendment is indicated above,
bat I will state that I cannot sup
port a measure that pretends to elim
mate the neero without eliminating
him; 'hat s macks of falsepretense
aiad demagoguery. I cannot sup
port a measure that disfranchises
white men, while educated negroes
are left as voters.
I cannot support a measure that
dooms the coming generation of un
educated white men in North Caro
lina to political slavery, and I wil
not support a measure that I consid
er in plain violation of the Constitu
tion that I have sworn to support.
For my part, I would as soon think
of firing on the flag.
Question sixth Please give us
your opinion of the Election Law.
Answer There are some subjad
a proper expression of the injustice
of which is beyond the reach of our
language. To me the Democratic
Election Law is one of them.
- In my opinion, it is worse and
more danererou? than the proposed
amendment; disregarding the rights
of opposing parties, to have their
representatives present at elections
to iosare j istice, and to accomplish
satisfactory with results, . it
usurps all authority, and like a
rtained serpent, coils itself about the
ark of our liberty the ballot-b x to
sting to polUical annihilation all
those who oppose its master.
Respectfully,
A NEGRO FOR THE AMENDMENT
Has Caught on Democratic Argument Why
He Should
PLACES NEGROES ABOVE WHITE MEN.
o-
White Folks Let the Fence Down-Can t Blame Negroes if They
March in Cleveland Gave Negroes Office-Going to Appease
us for the Negroes Killed in Wilmington.
For the (Faiaon) Sun.
Mr. Editor: I want to say a word for the good of my race and beg
space in your valuable paper. I see yon have but little to say politically
and I cannot tell how yon are on that great question. Constitutional
Amendment, that they a'l say ia se important I can't tell whether yon
are for it or against it. I have read it over the best I could, and it seems
to me that the Democrats are tired of some people voting, and I don't
blame them. It is cheaper to stop poor people from voting than it is to
bny their votes.
It is the black man's privilege as well as his duty, the same as the
whites, to raise himself and elevate his condition as much as possible,
oonsistaat with honor and Christianity, and we must do it by votisg as
well as by other means, and when the colored man sees a chance to ele
vate his race. No pr judice against the white man's political party
ought to deter him from taking advantage of the opportunity thus af
forded.
Now, I have noticed for years that the great ambition of the negro is
to become the equal of the white man, and I consider this a laudable am
bition, and really flattering to the white man. I don't think there has
been any attempt or particular effort to get above the white man, but in
voting for the amendment there is a chance to elevate our race a little
bit above the white man. This is a chance, too, that the colored voter
will, if I am not mistaken, iump at when they see it. If the amendment
is carried it is well known that many white men will fail to pay their
poll taxes by the first of March will not be allowed to vote. The strin
gency in money matters has increased that class every year. There are
nearly one thousand now in my county in that fix. Then we who can
vote will stand ahead of that class of whites. That will be one step
higher in the social ladder at least. Again in 1908, many young white
men will come of age many of them will not be able to read and write
and cannot vote then you see our white friend will be obliged to stand
off and see our boys exercise the right of American citizens while they
are not allowed that privilege. Now wont that be glory enough for a
darkey to think he has got ahead of the white man 1 Now, Mr. Editor,
I have cut my eye tooth and I can see how this thing is going to work,
the white man is going to vote for it and he can't blame the negro. Even
if the grand father (1867) clause should stand the test there rill be enough
white men disfranchised to make a negro sing "Hail Columbia" at elec
tion time. He will think the year of jabilee has come for him. When
the time comes wken I can walk up to the polls and pnt in my ballot
while some white loafer who has hectored over me is standing around
not able to exercise the glorious privilege, then my joy will be full and
1 will feel like "I can read my titles clear to mansions in the skies,'' I
shall feel like saying like one of old, "Lord, let now thy servant depart
in peace." The white people cannot think hard of us if we take what they
offer us. If they let the fence down they cannot blame ns if we walk in.
I have studied the thing, Mr, Editor, and while the Democrats propose
to be so bitter against us, still I do not believe it. Why should they give
ns such a grand and glorious chance as this if they are? It is a pnzzle.
Sometimes I think it is because that- old Cleveland element is dominating
the party. You know they cussed ns then, but still our people held more
offices under Cleveland than at any other period. Possibly it may be the
lashing of conscience on account of murders committed in Wilmington
at last election. We have thought it highly probable that the preachers
who engaged in that business might lead tff in some kind of sack cloth
and ashes arrangements. Then, of course, if they are penitent we will
forgive them and vote with them for what promises so much to the col
ored race.
Ther will be but few of the colored race disfranchised if the amend
ment is carried; only the old fellows who will soon pass over the river
Everybody knows that the colored boys axe burning the miknight light
wood knot to learn to read and write. Yes, all over this land he is study
ing and learning too. Now we are offered a chance to elevate onrselves
and our chile r en over the poor class of white people a thing we did not
expect, bat let us except it and vote solid for the amendment and feel
thankful to oar white friends for the opportunitv.
TONEY BLACKMORE.
nst which tverv constitutional
in this Slate and nation knows.
fled will disfranchise m re whits men
in North Carolina than nr groat; bat
notwithstanding this being tro, I
have hard that this same Cook crowed
at Snow Hill a few days ago, and said.
"We have passed these constitutional
amendments, and if we cant carry
them by law (which means majority
vote), we can carry them by foroe or
fraud," as much as to eaj, we are going
to carry them whether you people like
them or not. Great Scott! What would
our forefathers, who followed General
Washington, do, or say. to this? Of
course, tbey would say jost as the pa
triots of North Carolina are going to
ay to-day: Mr. Tory Rooster, you may
crow to-day aa you did In day of old,
that taxation without representation
ia right, but w say, aa our forefathers
said in days of old, it ia wrong, and
will throw out the proper safeguards
around, a boot and on the watch tower,
and we will ory aloud to the nation
and world, as Washington, Jefferson,
Patrick Henry and other patriots did
in tbedajs of old. "Liberty or Death!"
in defiance of ynur Torjoll-huldetsor
Canbyite returning board.
J.I.L..
sas: rev.j. jl isncurjs opraoi
WRITES UtUTllAJlT-tOUMta e. A.
REYNOLDS, A STROM! LCTTtR
iu
Totk
ta rrtatltw
Cimfwk, la m OpialM. W1U 8
UmbmI
t Vrt hi OarUa.
WlllTOI-dtUM, K. C.
March 1.1W0.
Riv. J. A. laBsrm. Asbbura. X.C
Dbab Sia : Uavtnr bees associated
with you In the legislature of 1397. and
knowing the position you bold Im the
PrlSBitive Baptist cnarch, I write to
ask whether or not the member of the
Primitive Baptist church, 1st yoerepl a
Ion, will support the proposed amend
ment to the Comtitotioa f North
Carolina.
Your truly,
C A. Rbtvolm.
SUPERINTENDENT MERANE
D0RSED
EN-
By Tsacbsrs, Ths Prsas sad Paopla. Ta
Good Tbloa Thar Said af Him.
Vatawba laaeban adsraa Him.
NawTow. N. C , April 7, 100.
Resolved, 1st, That whereas. Prof.
C. U. Mebane, our State Superintend
ent of Public Instruction, baa faithful
ly and efficiently discharged bia dutiea
in an exclusively non-partisan apirit,
and has succeeded in greatly increas
ing the interest in publio education
all over the State:
2d. That we endorse bis course, and
recommend his re-nomination by all
parties, as the most suitable man for
same position.
J. W. Mocsaa, President.
Taacbars of tba Stala Far Him.
The Raleigh correspondent in the
unariotte uoserver or April 8th saya :
'There la naturally much interest a
I to whether Dr. Mebane will ret the
Democratic nomination next Wednes
day at the State Convention for Super
interment of Public Instruction. As a
rule the teachers in the State, both
public and private, are for him. So are
the politicians. It is pointedly asserted
that he is the very best man for the
place."
Cbarlott Obsarvar For Mebana.
On April 10th The Observer says ed
Itorially :
He bas demonstrated bis superior
fitness for It his administration of the
office bas been unexceptionable. He
enters the Democratic Convention un
der the rules prescribed for the gov
ernment ot the party. His nomination
would be a One stroke of politics. It
would be noticed that the charge of
prosoript iveoess against the Democrat
ic party is false, but that, on the con
trary, it maintains the open door poli
cy and tbat its honors are within tne
reach of capable and worthy men with-
i out reference to what their politics
were nrteen or twenty years agro or
i what political views tbeir fathera held
-At this moment and in this matter the
party has an opportunity to make a
record which would redound to its
benefit, while it did the best thinsr it
could possibly do for the educational
interest ot the State.
W. R. Henry.
THEY HAVE SKIPPED
Meant Bail-
j-ro
White Supremacy Adyoeates
neu.
Newton. N. C. April 26. Two
negroes accosted a young white girl
that works in the Catawba cotton
mill here two nights ago. These
negroes made all kind of indecent
proposals to the girl. Not having
put their hands on the girl, at a
trial y sterday morning they could
LETTER FROM ST. LEWIS, N. C.
Asks 8ome Pointed Questions Are They
Traer
Editor Caucasian.
IfThe result of the People'e Party State
Convention is not only commen table
but very acceptable and gratifying to
all rigbc thinking, liberty-loving peo
ple of this section, especially the plat
form and standard bearers which are
to represent the party and people; be
cause we believe the standard bearers
to be of, by aod for the whole people
and not a part of the people. In faot,
the convention most have been ac ing
from inspiration, to uominate a full aet
of State candidates without making
one mistake. For -instance, take Cy
rus Thompson, wbo was chosen and
nommatea ior governor, is there a
man more worthy, more deserving and
better qualified in every respect to be
Governor of North Carolina than be?
The verdict o' the people next August
will b, "No!" Because he is a man
I wbo bas ever stood by the Farmers' Al
liance, the only power in the nation, It
I seems, tbat could ever manage and
muster o rood mnnnnnlT nnm hi nam
TMOl I - J , -
The registrar's storeroom where trusts, etc. He is the man that stands
SIMMONS ELECTION LAW.
How it Worked in Hendersoavltle.
A letter from Hendersonville to
the Ashevllle Gazette, dated April
26, says:
'The registration for the city
election began yesterday morning.
Up to last night there had been
about eighty men registered. The
Democrats are permitted to regis
ter without being asked the ques
tions laid down in the Simmons
election law. Republicans and
those who oppose the present town
administration, are put upon exam
ination, and a long list of questions
asked them, then the registrar tells
them they cannot be registered un
less they can prove their age by
two voters who can register under
the present election law. This
scarcely any one can do, and a num
ber of citizens have already been
turned down because of their ina
bility to prove their age by two vo
ters as aforesaid, among them men
who have voted here for many
years
The Mt. Airy correspondent in the
Charlotte Observer of April 10th says :
"His entire official career for the
past three and a half years has been
of a lofty ideal and be bas succeededin
raising the office above the plane of
politics, as few men nave ever done
Quite, modest and unassuming, he ia
an indefatigable worker, and he bas
accomplished a work which can scarce
ly be estimated. Mr. Mebane has many
warm friends and admirers, irrespec
tive of political affiliations, in this
county v who are anxious to see him
re elected to the .fflce which be baa so
ably and acceptably filled during, his
incumbency. He has demonstrated the
fact tbat the cause of eduoation is far
greater and more important than any
political party and that the greatest
good can b accomplished only wben
all political elements are eliminated."
It did not once nccar to Henry W. only be fined for a simple assault.
Grady to saggtst as a solution the Last night a committee of New-
bo left In force. In which case tne J j R . t .
. m kTMr Vi i 'a en. I bury uvkevvo v.
disfranchisement and virtual rem
uliVAmentof the neero After re
viewir g the whole subject, m one of
the grandest bursts ot tloqaenw v-
r he&rd on this conuneni, mr. ur-
ot
!
i
ifti:k
mi.. tiw.fwl voters of Nortn i.aro
Una, white and black, would find
themsolves disfranchised immedi
ately upon the adoption and cer
tification of the amendment.
This proposed amendment is a
c.py of the Louisiana amendment,
and the foil Wing exiracis iw ta
ken from the argument of Senator
Butler made in the United Statts
Senate, and are In point:
"In addition to tuese expressions by
members of the Louisiana Constitu
tional Convention, I call attention to
thf followiLjr edit, rial that appeared
.... rm- ' t . M f
iu the New Ufieans iimes-ut;iijuui.
leadiog Dirmocratio paper oi uon
na. on Friday morning, March 25,
tii nTt dav after the acooiion
action 5 by the convention:
TRIUMPH OF rOMTICIABS.
' After themselves disavowing and
'cely derouncing Section 5, a ma-
tr of the members of ths consiuu-
nal convention yesieruaj Vao
t offensive ceo. too onensive oue-
- I . a . 1 ............ m n .f In
cracy. to political uuuej,
tn neirroefe
h-ir masters, and thtir masters'
ini,A nnp. durincT the war. and at
is conclusion fiiiutu
ton's best white men, believers in
"White Supremacy" acd men who
wished to protect the nonor ana
virtue of every white girl, waited
on these negroes, but they could not
be found. They have left town ana
it has been suggested that it would
be . best for the negroes to stay
awav.
The negroes nave neretoiore oeen
'And may God fog-t my people considered respectable and were
when they forget thesa.' waiters at St. Hubert's Inn. News
Here are his words: and Observer.
I would that every honest man We are reliably Informed that
who thinks of voting for this crnei these two Newton darkles voted tne
measure could read them, and that Democratic ticket in 1898, and are
G d might awaken the sense of grat- "white supremacy" negroes; can
tude and 3 istice in his neari, auu read and write ana win oe voting,
aive him such ncbuiiy of soul, as jf the amendment should become a
fired the ereat heart of Henry W. iaw i0ne after many poor white
the registration is being carried on,
is filled a good portion of the time
with Democratic bulldozers and
hoodlums, and when Republicans
go in and attempt to see that fair
ness is had and justice done, and
all voters askedthe same questions
they are treated with contempt,
and the registrar, in speaking of a
man's eligibility to register, to use
his own language, says : ''Unless he
can answer these questions that
'the law' prescribes, and prove his
age as provided by 'law' he cannot
register it matters not whether he
can take the oath as contained in
the present constitution or not."
The reeistarcr also uses such ex
pressions as this :
"I am running this thing, and I
At
jor.
Hi
Iti
UlO
Atliertcanism.
And the coo-
"I
tnn tnn.hii Dassed this offensive
' - . . .w ..- h.
Grady to this utteratc :
"I ratch a vision of an old Southern
hm with its lofty pillars and its
bite pigrons fluttering uowninrougu
ie eoluen air. I see women witn
w
t ha nr
. .1
...... d i.d anxious iaces, auu cum
tr,n Alet. vet belpieS. I see uigu
noma down with its dangers
boys in Western North Carolina
will have been disfranchised Don't
be too hard on them, Josephus.
Times-Mercury.
and
The'Spaee Was Filled.
He was loving, but very bashful.
He
" "h-nainna. aid in a bi homely sat two full yards from the girl of bis
v- mv tiraA had the choice. 'Tom?" she ventured, "you
room, i " . f .nH hta Itnon nonamnor wiitjir fa riiomti
t0"0 'Yes.dariiner be responded
hndT at r mortal womsn nd rtrotjei proudly. "Then why don't you follow
nnd!.ImuWJ?md- nf mor- the motto of your profession?" -The
ffimViKrtheVlM my Profession?" I'Yes; 'Fill
tat man as they lay a t , And he f0iiowed the
non't want any such crowds as this
in here any more." And this is on
ly a small taste of what is to come
in North Carolina daring the next
sew months."
The above is a special to the
Ashe vi lie Gazette. We do not say
that such things will occur in ev
ery town and precinct. The Sim
mons election law furnishes abun
dant opportunities for fraud and in
timidation, which will be taken ad
vantage of where men can be found
who are mean and contemptible
enough to carry out its obnoxious
provisions. This dishonest law
should be wiped eat of existence,
and mast be if the liberties of the
people are to be preserved.
by the poor man's interest as well as
the rich nun's interests. He stands
by the rural as well as the towns and
cities, and bas ever proven to be the
poor old farmer's best friend; and of
course be bas a competitor, aod the
question will be asked. Who is he? And
tne answer will be tbat be is Mr. Sim
mons' Corporation Rooster. Whj?
Because, if I have been rightly in
formed, he was one of the Cocks that
helped lay the plans and crowed the
loudest in trying to destroy the Far
mers' Alliance by repeal! oar its char
ter years ago, which is! evidence that
he atands by and protects the b'g rich
man's interest and ignores tbe poor
man's, and also stands by and protects
monopoly, combines, trusts and all
other professions except the poor old
farmers. If I am not mistaken, tbia ia
tne same old Kooster that crowea so
loud and long two years ago telling
and pledging to tbe people tbatpf tbey
would rally to bis ory or white suprem
aoy, and place tbe dear old Democratic
party in power again, that tbey would
not dare interfere with their liberties,
but give them a government as white
as snow. Tbe people, of course, rallied
to his call, believing that he was a man
of truth and honor, and sent him to tbe
legislature, and to their great surprise,
wben be srot there be forgot all of these
sacred pledges and promises and took
up a part of bis time to help make this
conglomerated constitutional amend
ment trap, which he set and bated with
a negro in order to catch more white
men than negroes and disfranchise
tbem.
This is the old constitutional amend
ment trap which we are now confronted
Teachers' rnaet Appeal.
In the Charlotte Observer of April
llth, we clip the following:
u Let me as a teacher of 21 years ex
perience, 18 of which bas been In North
Carolina, appeal to the State Conven
tion tn place tbe seal of approval on
the offi sial oourse of this man who has
ever ebown a willingness to spend and
be spent for tbe cause of popular edu
oation. Cbarles H Mebane has certainly
placed patriotism above partisanship,
and if faith be not perished from tbe
earth, if, in tbe language of tbe Sweet
Singer of Israel, there be any who will
swear to bis own hurt aod change not,
we expect in it a man of that charac
ter. It is said the teachers are for him.
Wben the call of the South was made
to arms in the dark days of '61, we are
told tbat the teachers of tha State Uni
versity and other prominent achoolr
responded as if it were ths voice of
God, aod in party affairs they have
lined up, elbows touching and labor
ed till tbe sentinel stars set tbeir watch
in tbe sky on tbe day of election, and
tbat without reward or hope of reward
for what they considered tbe promo
tion of good government.
In four year tbe greatest Impetus
bas been given to the cause of popular
education that bss been witnessed in
many decades, and this has been large
ly due to tbe patriotic services or tbe
present incumbent or tbe once in
question, Charles H.Mebtne
row. in tne name ot tne dots ana
girls of North Carolina wbo are to
mould its future destiny in art, litera
ture, invention, patriotism and mate
rial progress, and in tbe name of tbe
teacher wbo devotes bis lire to advance
ment of others for a beggarly pittance
compared with tbe emoluments or otn
er professions, aod wbo at tbe tap or
tbe dram marobea to the defense oi nis
country's flag and bis country's honor;
I beg tbe Convention at Kaleigh to
nominate Cnarles H- Mebane.
Corn Cbackbk.
Polkville, N. C, April 4, 1900.
Asa cam, N. C
March 10th, 1900.
Hon. C. A. Rstbold. Wlnetop-aa-
lem. N. C.
Daam Ootbiios : la answer to
yours or March eta. l will say that
there is no on whose que tion I
would rather answer than your. Is
tbe first place, the history of Primitive
uaptists rbows tbey have ever been
trong supporter of political aa well
a religious freedom. Also, as oat or
tbem have read tbe Scriptures enough
to know that -Stranrllog- la post live
ly forbidden by the Law of Zion.
Tbey also know that tbe leader of
tbe party tbat offers this Constitution
al Amendment to the people pledged
themselves that their party would not
pas laws to dlarranebiae anyone. Sec
tion 4 of the Constitutional Amend
ment reads as follows :
'Every person presenting himself for
registration shall be able to read and
write any section of tbe Constitution
in the English language, and before be
shall be entitled to vote shall nave
aid, on or before tbe first day of
larch of tbe year in which he propos
es to vote, his poll-tax, proscribed by
law, for the previous year. Poll-taxes
shall be a lien only on ass eased prop
erty, and no process shall Issue to en-
rorce the collection or tbe same, ex
cept against assessed property."
This section, however, is modihed by
section 5, which reads a follow :
"Sec 5. No male person wbo was on
Jan. 1, 1867. entitled to vor under the
laws of any State in tbe United States,
wherein he then resided, and no lineal
descendant of any such person shall be
denied the right to register and vote
at any election In the State by reason
of hi failure to possess the education
al qnalincations prescribed in section
4 of this article: Provided, be shall
have registered in accordance with tbe
terms of this section prior to Decem
ber, 1, 1908. Tbe General Assembly
sball provide for a permanent record
of all persons who register under this
section on or before November 1, 1908;
and all such persons shall be tntltled
to register aod vote at all elections by
the people in this State, unless dis
qualified under Section S of this arti
cle: Provided, such persons shall have
paid tbeir poll-taxes, as required by
law."
This section is in direct conflict with
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments of the Constitution of the Uni
ted Stales, which every voter is sworn
to support and which reads as follows :
Article XIV, See. 1. All persons
born or naturalised In tbe United
States and subject to tbe Jurisdiction
thereof are citizens of the United
States and of the State wherein tbey
reside. No State shall make or en fore
any law which sball abridge the priv
ileges or immunities or cltisens or the
United States; nor shall any State de
prive any person or lire, liberty, or
property without tbe due process of
law nor deny to any person within its
Jurisdiction the equal protection of
the laws.
Art. XV. Sec. 1. The right of citl
sens of ths United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by tbe Uni
ted Spates or by any State on aooount of
race, color or previous condition of ser
vitude. "Sec 2. Congress sball have power to
enforce this artioie by appropriate leg
islation.'' Too see from tbe foregoing tbat
somebody is to be disfranchised or
have his voice at tbe polls "Strangled"
by the rejection of his ballot. That
means tbat he shall not have tbe right
to say bow much tax he is to pay or
wben be is to pay it or how long be
shall work on tbe publio roads wit Boat
pay or when he shall do so, or how long
be shall bear arms to fight for his coon
try or wben be is to do so.
It does not free him from any of these
duties, but he must pay taxes, bear
arms, and work roads, all without rep
resentation.
Suppression of publio sentiment at
tbe polls leads to the suppression of
religious liberties as well as tbe free
dom of the press
My Primitive Baptist brethren were
amoog tbe first to say to England "that
taxation without representation Is so-
J,- and the 4aete4 aa well as
the odaMe.ted.aaMpke to loess la Header
tonee frees Banker Hill. Lexlegtoa,
Ter alow a and sally from ar own
Ueilfeed Coert Hooae.Mj leg-tkat we
will smh ho taxed wttboot oor ooaeeat."
I eeid that eoeaebody te m bo die
fraaeaiaed. who I that aoeaebod f Tho
eep porter of the pro peed ssModaaeat
af tt Is only negro hot yoei will eoe
this asaeadaaent t a direct timet at
tbe poor s&es) of vsctsa. 1 bey at ay
have foagfct for their rwatry they
anay have worked pet lie road witboot
pay, had yet, a ale they have paid
thCr Use by the Brat day of Mareh
tbey cannot vote. Again after ltt
sppliee directly to tho aoiaete4
white bus aa well as tho aegro If tho
amendment gue late effect the negro
wbo has paid hi tax and ran read and
write can walk ap to too polla sat
vote while the pour, illiterate wttu
aaa will have to stand off sad be de-
Kived of his ballot. Too ak.wtll tho
iaattlv Baptist. In say oplaioa. vote
for this condition to bo faateaod epoa
them and their children and cblldree'a
children for geaeratioas to 00010. I
will answer you hy referring to aa in
cident I onoe read, a boot a goat that
rode to the bottom of a well to a back
et and no one at tne wlodieee, tie was
a "Goat." S been are snore eaatiee tbey
ill want to know, wbea we once get
1 how are we to get oat?" They will
that wbea this state of affair is
fastened upon then and their right te
vote go a, they have no way of gettieg
tbe harden off tbeir ahoaldere. rW-elag
then that liberty is the price of blood;
I cannot tbln tbe eoaad talaklag
Primitive Baptist will, for political ad
vantage, or wbies of pride, be swept off
tbeir feet by tbe exciting cry of bee-
gry politicians and vote away tbe only
weapon tbey have with which to do
fend their labor the ballot.
Tour truly,
J. A. Aenaraa.
A SERIOUS DISASTER.
THE 1CM0FIELD, UTAH Mint EXPLO
SION MAS PROVEN TNE (NEAT
EST. Taooleela Beorolas a4 Dwalllage
eeoee at Ik Mloee are Meet rtUfel
At eroaeap Delaye Keeeae Week.
Salt Lass, Msy i. It Is now thought
the deed at tbe Scbofield mine will
number 390. Tbe bod lea recovered now
are 250.
As fast aa the bodies are reached
tbey are taken to the boarding bouse
and othr company boildlage, where
tbey are dressed and prepared for tbe
Coroner. In each building there are
from ten to thirty five bodies. Thoee
Identified have tags attached to tbem
bearing tbeir name. A hundred ooffios
have been ordered from local underta
ker to be sent at once to tbe scene of
tbe disaster. A special train bearing
tbe seriously wounded started front
Scboflsld for Salt Lake City.
The afterdamp delayed tbe work of
tbe rescuing party. Tbe mine bss
been worked over twenty years and
has tbe reputation of being one of tbe
best ventilated and protected In the
West.
Ths financial lose to tbe company
cannot at present be estimated. It Is
regarded as the worst disaster that
has ever occurred in this part of the
country.
Aaotaor Teacfcer For HI a.
In the Charlotte Observer of April
llth, we find tbe following letter to
Mr. Mebane:
"I am a Democrat snd a school teach
er. I never did anything else except
teach, and never voted any other tick
et than a Democratic ticket. For more
than twenty-five year 1 have taught
nine month in tbe year, never lees
tban a hundred students, often r more
tbsn two hundred. My work has been
done in Cleveland and Rutherford
counties. Though my schools bsve
been private institution, vet I nave
been in constant touch with tbe pub
lie schools and publio school teachers.
I believe 1 know tbe wlsbe of tbe
teachers of my section. Nine out of ten
of them, I believe, recognise the en
tirely uopartissn way In wblcb yon
have administered tbe affairs of your
great office, and desire your nomina
tion by the Democratic Convention
whicb meets in a few day a, aa the first
step towards taking tbe publie schools
out of tbe withering blight of party
Elltios. I pray tbat oar party msy
ve patriotism enough to do It,
If tbe spirit ef partisanship mustlsy
its nnholy ban da upon the most sacred
ark of our covenant, tbe publie acbool
system of the State, then are the hopes
of tbe teachers vain, and some of as
will lose to some extent faith, if not
love.
I am sir, very truly yours,
W. T. R. Bill,
President Cherry ville Collegiate Institute.
CATARRH OF THE STOMACH.
Rabbi David Klein, 528 E. Main street,
Columbus, O, writes the following o
Dr. II art man la regard to Pe-ru-na: - It
affords me great pleasure to testify to
the curative merits of your medicine.
Pe-ro-na Is a well-tried and widely
used remedy. Especially as a specific
for catarrh of the stomach it cannot he
axealled. Pa-m-na will do all that Is
claimed for it."
A Tkr oat at Civil Usattoa.
Two thousand Cuban school teacbsrs
are coming to this country next som
mer to see how the American teachers
teacb the "young idea bow to shoot."
And then they may go back and spend
a good deal of time in trying to un
learn some or tne tniogs tney leareea.
Preflt oa aa Aero of Cabbate.
John F. Hardin, of our town, has
just finished marketing the cabbage
from a little ies than an acre 01 land
that briugbt him ia $353, and he claims
that $225 of that amount was a clear I
profit. This shows what a small plot
of ernnnd nrnrterW nnltivited will da. I
wieuauuasa-u tu support ueb au- Wstsaga Democrat.
Babt4 David Ktola.
People afflicted with catarrh oi tbe
stomach complain of lassitude, aU-tlred-
oot tsoUaga, their blood tweosnes U
oorroas aratem deranged, food eeenai
do thosm no good, eoatlnaoos and la-
Tbe naloftanate
victim wonders why he snooia do bo
weak, why his fond give him no
strength, why hi blood should be o
thin.
Mr. Alex. Carter of Van Baren. Carter
Co, Mo, says: " I had boen troooioa
with dyspepela and indigestion since
1879. The bet ph y elciane In tbe country
could do no good.
Tlslted the
Mnllaaphy hos
pital la fit. Louis
and received do
benefit. Tbe at
tending physi
cian told mo 1
had narrowing of
tho outlet of the
stomach, and the
only remedy was
to have it cut out,
which I refused to have done. I thee
visited Wait Baden, lad.; Lae Tegaa
Hot Springe, New Mexico; Sweet
Spring a. Mo, and Monitou,CoU I elao
took a groat many different amas or
Idae recommended for dyspepsia.
bat found bo roller. Laet February a
road a teetlnrrtilrl for Pe-m-na la tbe
Central Baptist that salted my case and
I determined at oneo to try it. I have
taken two bottles of Pe-ru-na and foui
of MAB-rlla, and I feel like a aew man.
None of my friends believed I would get
well. I would not take any money for
the good your remedies have done me.
Ia catarrh of tbe stomach, as well
as ia catarrh of any other part of the
body, Pe-rn-ua is the remedy. As It has
often been said. If Pe-ra-na will euro
catarrh of one part, it will cure catarrh
of any other part of the body.
Summer Catarrh sent free by Pa-
Drug MTg Co- Colombo-, O.
i teclt
on In toe ice v mv w "