The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-11-14
The Failure Of a Republican
Scheme.


ANh AiN -Aul'iAsAii iNAEi'N'i'I
The attempt 10 make new political
issue out Of the recent decision OF the
Supreme Court has signalIy failed
The country is not willing to reopen the
agitation over the negro. The war set
ted whatever was debatable and unset
tied nn the negro question, and there Is
NJ further need OF vexing the country
with this aggravating problem The
negro was not only emancipated, but
for partisan purposes was clothed win
the ballot and has all the rights which
are given to an American ctizcn-'aIl
the political rights which can be given
him by law. Inasmuch, then, as he
stands forth with all the privileges the
Federal Government can give HIM, 1t
would seem as if the nation had dis
charged all the duties incumbent upon
it, and there was no further necessity
for discussing the case The action o.
the Supreme Court Of the United States
in setting aside an act Of Congress
found to be unconstitutional, cannot re-
open the question Of the rights Of the
NEGRO. for no constitutional right has
been denied him. The act Of Congress
which was set aside was an attempt to
do something for which there was no
warrant. 1t was entirely unnecessary,
and the negro is better oft with the act
.annullcd. Schcming politicians have
cndcavored to take advantage OF this
decision Of the court to raise an issue
which might give dccaying party
something to fight for, but the better
sense Of the country has put It's foot
down upon such nonsense and the at
tempt is fiat failure. The white Gle
mcnt has Il kindly feeling for the negro.
They do question the wisdom Of the
men who forced him into the duties OF
citizenship, unpreparcd as he was for
such Il position, but they do not lay the
blame upon him. He is now an i'm
E portant factor in the politics o. the
G country, aud instead Of tempting him to
G demand more, the men who claim 20 be
u his friends should strive to properly in
struct him in the high duties to which
t he has been admitted. But they ignore
c this very necessary duty and seek to
2 put in its stead cIamor for additional
II privileges. This is not done because
: they think he needs more privileges,
C but because they think such professions
|. of friendship will stay the tendency Of
{ the negro to cut loose from his past pc
:. litical associations and hold him fast Il
J. the Republican party. The negro is
ii however, wise enough to see that thcsC
i. attempts to push him forward beyon'
5, proper limits is dcluslon and snare
IS aud cannot be accomplished. Hence
If the leaders among them look coldly up
ne ON the hypocritical pretensions Of the
he old political allies and are not ready t.
Il. demand more than the law gives them
The paramount duty Of the white rae
w. in this country Is not to hold out dolu
rs size hopes to the colorcd race, but t
u make them worthy Of the privilege
to which they already possess. The ballo
al has been greatly debased and disgrace
rs by the addition Of mass Of ignoranc
le, to its voting power, and the highest du
NJ ty Of patriotism Is to endeavor to max
ny amends for this evil by measures calcl
r. lated to lessen its dangers These meas
ures are the education of the negro, til
m placing before him Of proper example
re- and such advice as he needs for the jus
ST. luIilmcnt of his mission as n voter. 1
nj do these things well docs not need sens,
y, less agitations nor the promise of flu
lie thor privileges and benefits But til
he men who, with great ostentation, pu
themselves forward as the special friend
lat Of the negro care little nothing fl
IA the protection of the ballot All the
as want is To maintain political power an
al they care little how that Is done. Til
nd negro may well cry aloud to be spare
ed from such friendship, for it bodies hi
as no good and ultimately wonld do hil
cs- great harm. Let the negro seek wi,
es. counscls and be governed by what wi
ed secure him the greatest amount Of re
he pect from white men irrespective Of tn
he designs of men who would use him fl
NJ their own ends. This is wisdom, and
pc they follow this course they will ne
lack friends nor influence.