and Observer portrayed the events as “A day of bloodshed and turbulence”(News and Observer, November 10, p.2). It also talked about the increased police force for the night to make sure things were calm.The weeks before and after November tenth the News and Observer reported frequently on the problems of “Negro Rule”. For example on November 15 on the cover page appeared a cartoon that depicted a white man as a slave to a black man calling it “The New Slavery”. Additionally an article was printed on African Americans being a “Menace to Womanhood.” In which “Negro rule” is referred to as a reign of terror. Also reported in the News and Observer are “Cases of Negro Insolence”. Where it discusses how the Negro insolence is not confined to eastern North Carolina that it is spreading (News and Observer November 9, 1898, p.3).The white determination to keep African Americans out of office was due to their fear of black power. They did not want to lose their roles in society. Before reconstruction white persons pushed down the African Americans in order to make themselves feel significant and to assure themselves of their place. The newspapers were flooded with articles about “Negro Rule” and how it was dangerous to society. The city of Wilmington was even divided into sections so nine white men could keep tabs on everyone (Manly 80). They were known as the secret nine, and claimed to be helping relieve immoral conditions. As seen in the newspapers printed during the racial tension in Wilmington whites had a inaccurate view of black persons and went to action due to their ultimate fear. The changing times scared most people and led them to doing what they thought was right to return things to the way they were. This ignorant and flawed thinking was what led to the horrible events in Wilmington in 1898. ...
