The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-12

nine We're apportoned on account OF the white
population and eight on account OF the col
orcd population But the colored voters are
not able to choose single Representative. the
white democrats choosing the whole seventeen. The
four Northern States Michigan Minnesota. Nebraska
and California have seventeen Representatives. based
on a white population of two and quarter millions
or almost double the white population OF Georgia
and Alabama, so that in these relative groups Of
States find the white South exercises by his
vote double the political power of the white man
North.
COMPREHENSIVE CONGRATULATIONS
Let US carry the comparison to more comprehen-
sive generalization. Tie eleven States that formed
the Confederate government had by the last census
apopulation or nine and half millions. of which in
round numbers I'VE and half millions were white
and four millions coored. On this aggregate popu-
lation seventy-thrce Representatives in Congress
were apportioned to those States-fortytwo three
of which were by reason of the white population and
thirty or thirty by reason of the colored popula
ton. At the recent election the white democracy OF
the south seized seventy of the seventy-three dis
tricts and thus secured democratic majority in the
next House of Representatives Thus Ii appears that
throughout the States that formed the late Confed
crate government seventy-iive thousand whites-the
very people that rebelled against the Union-arc en-
abled To elect Representative in Congress. while in
the loyal States it requires hundred and thirty
two thousand OF the white people that fought for the
Union 10 elect a Representatives. In leyying every
tax. therefore, in making every appropriation OF
money, i'll fixing every line OF public policy, in de-
erecting what shall be the fate and fortune Of the Re-
public the Confederate soldier South is enable to
cast vote that is twice powerful and twice in
huential rs the vote of the Union soldier North.
THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT
But the white men of the South did not acquire
ana do not hold this superior power by reason OF law
or justice, but III disregard and defiance of both.
The fourteenth amendment to the constitution
expected to be ana was designed to be a preventive
and corrective of all such possible abuses. The read
ing of the clause applicable to the is instructive
and suggestive. Hear it,
Representatives shall apportoned among the several
States according their respective numbers counting the
whole number of persons IN each state excluding Indians
the for PTeden and ves
the United States Representatives in the
"a
Legislature thereof. is denied TO any OF the male inhab
liens Of United states in any abridged except
therein shall be reduced in the
which the number Of such male citizens shall hear to tie
such State
The patent undeniabe intent of this provision was
that if any class Of denied any way
abridged IN their right Of suffrage then the class
denied abridged should not be counted in the basis
OF representation; in other words that State
States should gain large increase OF representa-
ton i'll Congress by of counting any class of
population not permitted to take part in electfng such
Representatives But the construction given 70 this
provision is that before any forfeiture OF representa-
ton be enforced the denial abridgment OF suf
fiage must be the result of law specifically enacted
by the State. Under this construction every negro
voter may have his suffrage absolutely denied fatally
abridged by the violence, actual threatened, of
State officers. from the Governor down to the last
election clerk, and them unless State law
be shown that authorizes the denial or abridgment,
the State escapes al penalty or peril of reduced rep
resentation. This construction may be upheld by
the courts, ruling on the letter of the law, (which
keth" but the spirit of justice cries aloud against
the evasive and atrocious conclusion that deals out
oppression to the innocent and shields the guilty
from the legitimate consequences OF wilful trans
erosion.
THE UNHAPPY coIoREp CITIZEN
The colored citizen is thus most unhappily situated
holds to his the word of promise. but breaks it
always to the hope and he ends only in being made
the unwilling instrument of increasing the political
strength Of that party from which he received
tightening letters when he was slave ana
contemptuous refusal OF civil rights since
deprived their birthright, compelled yield
their strength to the upbuiidlng OF the monarch
fight against the power from which alone delfverance
might be expected. The franchise intended for the
against him and against his friends, and has vastly
increased the power of those from whom he has
nothing to hope and everything to dread
The political power thus appropriated by Southern
democrats by OF the negro population amounts
to thirty-hye Representatives in Congress. IL is
massed almost sodly and Offsets the great state of
New York: or Pennsylvania and New Jersey together;
the whole Of New England or Ohio and Indiana
united; or the combined strength of Illinois, Min
ncsota, Kansas, California, Nevada. Nebraska. Colo
RADIO and Oregon. The seizure Of this power is
wsnton usurpation; 1t is aagrant outrage; 1t
Is violent peryerson of the whole theory of
republican government. 1t inures solely to the
present advantage aud yet, believe to the perma-
nent dishonor OF the democratic party. 1t is by
reason of this trampling down OF human rights, this
ruthless seizure or unlawful power. that the demo-
cratic party holds the popnar branch of Congress to-
day and VIII in less than ninety days have control of
this body also thus erusping the entire Legislative
department of the government through the unlawful
capture OF the southern States. If the prescribed
vote of the South it's lawful de-
sire the democratic party could not gain power Nay,
il it not counted on the other side against the
ms cts and the interests. against the principles and
the preiudices Of its lawful owners, democratic sue
would be hopeless. IL is not enough then, for
modern democratic tactics that the negro vote shall
be scnced: the demand goes further and insists that
sha be counted their side. that all the repre-
sentsves in Congress and all the Presidential electors
apportoned by reason OF the negro vote shall be
cast and 50 governed insure democratic
regardless OF Justice in defiance Of law And this in
justice is wholly unprovoked doubt IL 1t be III the
power Of the most searching Investigation To show
that in any Southern State during the period of
publican control any legal voter ever debarred
the frecst exercise of his suffrage. Even the
revenges which would have leaped into life with
many who dcspised the negro were buried out or
sight with magnanimity which the superior race
fail TO follow and seem reluctant to recognize.
NORTHERN ELECTION TROUBLES.
know it is said in rctort of such charges against
the southern elections l am reviewing that
unfairness of equal gravity prevails in Northern
elections l hear II in many quarters and read il in
the papers that in the late exciting election in Massa
chusetts intimidation and bull-dozing, II not
rough and rancorous in the SOUTH were yet as
widespread and effective. have read. and yet re-
fuse to Delicve that the distinguished gentleman
who made energetic but unsuccessful canvass for
the Governorshp or that State has Endorsed and
approved these charges. and have accordingly
made my resolution broad enough to include their
thorough investigation / am not demanding fair
elections in the south without demanding fair circ-
tions in the North also. But vonuring speak for
the New England States. of whose laws and customs
| know something. dare assert that in the late
election in Massachusetts or any of her neighbour
ing commemorative ii will be impossible to find
even one where voter driven from
the polls where voter did not have the
fullest. iaircst freest opportunity to cast the
ballot OF his choice and nave IL honestly aud faith
fully counted III the returns Suffrage tins conti-
nent was first made universal in New England. and
in the administration of their affairs her people have
found other appeal necessary than that which Is
addressed 10 their honesty OF conviction and To their
intelligent s.lf-intercst. there be anything differ
cnt 10 disclose pray You show it to that may
amend our ways.
NORTHERN
But whenever feeble protest II ldc against such
injustice / have described In tine South the
Spouse get comes to us III the form OF . taunt-
what you going to do about itg aud ''fiow do
you propose to nclp yourselves! This is the steroo
typed answer of defiance which ntrcnched wrong al
ways gives to inquring Justice: aud those who mag
inc IL 10 bo conclusive do not know the temper
OF the American people. For let assure you
that against the complicated outrage upon
the right Of representation lately triumphant