Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-14
DECEMBER II, 1883.
The Educational Qualification.

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The southern problem, or negro problem,
bss not vet been solved. The election OF
Republican PTe.dsut and Republican
Congress has awakened new interest IN
the subject. Aud naturally enough; for the
negro voters turned the scale in favor OF
HAnRsON, md elected a goodiy number OF
the Republican members OF the next House
Of Representative
It's not atsll probable that the Republicans
IN tie northern states Will evsriavor an edu-
catioual qualification that would disirsnchise
the negroes Certainly the southern Rcpub-
llcsns could not be expected TO consent to
the dlslranchslng Of nine tcuths OF the Re-
publican voters. As the Federal Constitu-
ton now stands Il colcedos 20 the several
States the right toregulatc suffrage for them
selves on condition that The same qualibcs-
tons be required OF men OF both rsces. But
that instrument further provides that il men
be denied the right to vote unless Cor crime,
&c. the State DENYING that right snail lose q
part Of ITS power 10 the national House Of
Representative.
Probablya majority OF the southern whites
who can read and write would be willing TO
bsve the basis Of representation IN Congress
reduced " thereby they could get rid OF the
negroes As voters, os tTs~whtes would in
that event have full control Of their state
governments aud he free from care on that
point.
But such changes cannot be made IN the
State Constitutions without the csnsen, Of
the present voters; aud unfortunately alarge
number 81 the prescul white voters ale IN.
able to read anl write. Ia our own state OF
Virginia ont O; a population Of l,0j0,0A
over ten years Of age 5000 or llttls more
than one third, are unable TO read. We do
not know how many OF these ililerales are
white. hut we may be sure that there is
roodly proportion Of them. seeing that there
were in tins State m 1850 ~ ,092 whites over
ten wears 81 age who could not write. We
infer from a'l these figures taken together
that about one third 81 ihe illiterates are
whites say l2l.Ooo-and that Of these per-
hap. go GOO al, sduf WHITES and voters.
Now, Il ihc solid negro vote be added TO
The Wtcratc white vote. the total will show
that II would Dee p dangerous experiment for
any Iarty 90 make 90 undertake 20 get rid Of
the negro vote by di.fraochising ELL persons
who cannot read and write. But II to the
Yiierslcs Of both races be added The whites
who would vote with them because thew arc
not willing TO have the basis OF representa-
ton IN Congress reduced, there would seem
10 be no prospect whatever OF getting rid Of
negro rule in tho south by establishing an
educational qualification.
The supreme Court Of the United States,
y 10 dared TO decide according TO the facts,
would Datcstc case decide tost the thirteenth.
fourteenth. and fifteenth articles oi amend.
mont 90 the Federal Constitution were never
ratified in the manncr provided for in that
instrument. They were incorporated into 1t
by force. They are inlerlopers, aliens, bas-
tards. Nevertheless. they are in 1t, aud
there they viii remain, and by and with the.
advice aud consent or conniyanco Of the SUI
pTemc Court.