Not long since we
wrote a sketch, as we now intend to do, in the interest, not of the Democratic,
nor of any other party as to that, but in the common interest of that which has
been the founder of the greatest governments, enterprises, etc., which have given
new life and energy to the almost lifeless and which has been the harbinger of
peace and in short for all that is good, great and noble. As Republicans we are
in favor of the adoption of the amendment to the constitution. First, because
we are tried of being accused of associating and attempting to keep ourselves
upon an equality with the negro socially, morally, politically and otherwise.
Second because the negro has no business in politics, ever being incompetent to
figure politically and nothing but a nuisance to respectable and decent
society. Third, because we are thoroughly satisfied that it will not
disfranchise or deprive any deserving white man from his privilege to vote.
Fourth, because we think the educational qualification embodied in section four
(which applies only to those who shall become of age after January the first
1900) will be a great incentive to higher education and equally as good if not
better than the Massachusetts compulsory school law. Fifth, because we feel
assured that it will only tend to build up the great Republican party if we
would show by our actions and our votes to North Carolina and the world that we
desire nothing by the way of government except it be given by the intelligent
white man. This, we as a party, all favor, so we say by our words, but as
actions speak louder than words, how can this be harmonized and shown to be the
truth in its fullest sense if we work and vote against the adoption of the
constitutional amendment which, if adopted, means white rule and death to negro
rule or if defeated means a continuance of negro office holding form constable
to congressman as is already shown to the world in the case of Geo. H. White,
the present Congressman from the 2nd
district, which is a reproach upon us as a white people. Also reference is made
to the fact that at least 20 counties in the state have been ruled almost
entirely by the black race of North Carolina from 1894 down to 1898, the result
of which was a solid defeat for us in '98, also as a remedy for this evil the
proposed amendment is now offered.
We hold the grand
old party's principles (except this negro rule) as dear to our hearts as Hons.
Linney, Blackburn, or Pritchard and more so than Marion Butler, whose only aims
seem for office even if it takes the sacrifice of the poor, helpless white people
of the state.
We, as a party, are
glad to stand side by side upon questions which conflict not with the rights of
voters of the Anglo-Saxon blood but when a question of such magnitude as that
of the amendment which the substance is who you are; where do you stand; are
you for the white man and white man's government, or are you for the negro and
negro domination and a general uproar and an everlasting reproach to North
Carolina and the best white citizenship that the sun ever shown upon? Is asked
us at the ballet box; we will answer it in favor of white supremacy.
We are pleased to
see a number of our great leaders, to wit: Thomas Settle, Judge Starbuck, the
Governor and various others of high repute and they, fighting for such a noble
cause, may hope to be the stars of the first magnitude, while their opponents will
surely vanish with the dark cloud on its back track behind the occidental hills
to rise no more.
In 1898 a mistake
was made, by us, in representing that should the Democratic party go into power
in this state a property qualification of $300 would be required before we
could vote, for we now stand betrayed to our constituents because no property
qualification whatever is required in the proposed amendment and our
constituents are enabled to realize the misrepresentation, hence questions of
great moment to us and our party interest can be put to the voter with little
effect, for this reason we should be cautious about representations by the
unscrupulous) with regard to this amendment for after August we will see that
no deserving white men will be disfranchised.
We think if only one
party or the other should be more earnest in working for the amendment it
should be our party because actions speak louder than words for when upon the
various campaigns of the past we were accused of being the negro party and
favoring negro equality we have denied it. Now the test is here. Within three
short months it is upon us. What shall we do?
Let us throw
technicalities aside and not make it a party measure but look upon it without
any degree of prejudice, closely study the matter and not be led against our
interest and that of our institution and noble countrymen by those designing
politicians any further.
In conclusion allow
me to say to one and all this is an opportunity of a life time by which plans
are devised to rid ourselves of the greatest curse, not only to the State of
North Carolina but to this great Union of ours.
- Every person presenting himself for registration shall be able to read and write any section of the Constitution in the English language; and before he shall be entitled to vote, have paid on or before the first day in March of the year in which he proposed to vote, his poll tax as prescribed by law, for the previous year. Poll taxes shall be a lien only on assessed property, and no process shall issue to enforce the collection of the same except against assessed property.
- No male person who was on January 1, 1867, or at any time prior thereto, entitled to vote under 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 any election in this state by reason of his failure to possess the educational qualifications described in section 4 of this Article; Provided, He shall have registered in accordance with the terms of this section prior to December 1, 1908. The General Assembly shall provide for a permanent record of all persons who registered under this section on or before November 1, 1908, and all such persons shall be entitled to register and vote at all elections by the people in this state, unless disqualified under section 2 of this Article: Provided, Such persons shall have paid their poll tax as required by law.
Above are sections 4
and 5 verbatim regarding qualification of amendment to voters.
--J.M.
Issacs
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