The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-05-09


conditions to its exercise, which would /
exclude a large number of citizens,
under existent laws, from voting here
after.
That the suffrage is, at present, de- !
based and disgraced, to an extent never
tlreamt of by the founders Of our gov
no one can doubt for mo-
ment. That gross evils do, and must
necessarily, arise from this sad condi-
tion of affairs, cannot be denied: That
these evils should, if possible, be
remedied, all thinking men heartily
agree. That the only method Of re-
medying them is by an abrfdgment Of
the suffrage, is also universally con-
ceded.
These propositions granted, the ques-
ton then naturally arises, what possi-
BILE reasons can be urged why the Con-
vention should hesitate a moment to
perform this duty, which, of all duties,
is the most pressing and the most Inn
portant.
The chief objection, which tho Op- |
posers of Judge Lands resolution find |
to urge against its adoption, is that 1t
will be impossible to fix any qualifica- |
tions, that will not exclude tho great |
| mass of the colored people from voting; !
and. that qualifications, that operate !
thus, will fix upon the measure the
stigma of class legislation. That 1t
will arouse the philanthropic sympa-
thies of the North, in behalf of the
"poor negro and give renewed energy
to the Hopping Of that potent stall
wart. republican standard-the renOwn-
ed bloody shirt-under whose ensan-
suined folds the Radical party has
already so often marched to National
victory. That it will afford new inn
petus to the negro exodus to Kansas,
which has already assumed such seri-
, GUS proportions. That it will be a fla
' grant violation of all the Democratic
pledges, held out to the colored people
+ at the last election, when they were sc
l. profusely promised protection in al
= their civil and political rights. Lastly
that it would raise an inappeaslbit
y howl on the part of those white suf
fragans. who would be affected by 1t:
> adoption.
= Inspite ofall these speciously weishtS
arguments against the measure, we arc
l. decidedly in favor of cutting the Cor
!, dian Knot and imposing stringent
qualifications upon the right to exer
cisc the elective franchise. The only
> question to be considered is, what shaf
l, the qualification be? property quail
tication, poll tax qualification and ar
educational qualification. The lnsu
Z, perable objection to the first, is, that
l. will place the government entirely II
the hands of the lnonied classes, ant
X, thus create an aristOcracy founded Ol
e. wealth., which is utterly repugnant t
free institutions, and not to bc seri
10 ously entertained for moment. Tn
Il no less powerful objection to the sec
~ ond, is, that it will foster bribery an
~. make the length of purse the crucia
IN test between candidates, which woul
| HI
vepality in the administration of tn
ef- government. The third and only RI
9 manning one is, also, the only Just an
feasible one; and we declare ourselvt
IL unalterably in favor Of an educatlon'
no otuualificatiou. Let no man be above
to vote, who cannot, at least, read an
write the English language with faci
'us ity.
in If this qualification effects the neg
ed most perccptibly, let it do 80. II
rds wishes to exercise the prerogatives OF
,ht citizen of our conmonweaitn, let n.
i'd prepare himself to enjoy them wi
led some degree of cnlightment by Il
EN- acquisition of these rudimentary cl
we ments of an education. II the syr
ce, pathies of the North are aroused al
the the national election endangered
d n the adoption of such a qualification,
ing is but portion of the price that
ov- shall be compelled to pay Tor the IN
is timable boon of Il purified suffrage a
ano a redeemed country. If it hurries
ifi negro from our State to the more n
the pitable Wild5 OF Kansas, let MIN
d a on his way rejoicing. His place v
it is soon be filled by better citizens of
t be own race, whom our fertile soil {
;, as balmy climate will soon welcome
the Louisiana. If we are charged with
the fidelity to our promises OF civil I
we political rights to the negro, we
,for- answer, that we have never promi
'. O. to perpetuate a crimc against civil
ton, and that the restriction upon
suffrage affects white and black ali
lpro- If white men cry out, that they TOO
fifty disfranchised, we can answer I, I,
her clamor by crying shame upon u
,ttle- inexcusable ignorance in this day
wide spread diffusion OF kno"'e'