The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-15
CHALMERS PLAN.
How He Would Hold the Elections.
The Bill Proposed for Congress by
Little Brig"
He Seeks to Prevent "Bulldozirg ct
the Polls"
A Proposition That Would Subvert
the State Governments.
He Submits It to the Public With Let
ter in Which He Demands
Congressional
Action.

To the Editor Of the St Louis Globe Democrat
SARDIs, Miss, Nov. 0, lSSS.--Article 10
) OF the Constitution OF the United States
provides
Section 1. The right OF citizens Of the United
States TO vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States or by any state on account Of
race, color or previous condition OF servitude
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to
enforce this article by appropriate legislation
Secession and notification have been re-
vered by Democrats rs rightful remedies
for the preservation OF the rights Of States.
On the other hand, Republicans abhor
secession and notification as the political
dynamite Of anarchists who would assas-
sinate the nation.
To preserve slavery, secession was at
tempted after the election of the first Pres
ident OF the Republican party.
After a bloody war secession was de-
feated, slavery was abolished and the
emancipatcd slave enfranchised by the
fifteenth amendment to the Constitution
ol the United States, which fora few years
was enforced.
But notification Of this amendment was
accomplished, and the Democratic party
hiuit Niluullilltll III 1910 III inc EIlteS
which had attempted secession, and in
1884 was made triumphant in the United
States by the counting IN of Cleveland as
President through electoral votes obtained
by the notification of the fifteenth amend
ment, and there was danger Of this being
accomplished again. Men in the South,
who are ever ready TO fight over. what they
believe 10 be their rights, were astonished
when the Government WIS so quietly
turned over 10 Cleveland on such title,
and there were men in the North who
this time began TO think about resistance
II such another usurpation OF power
was attempted. A nation which has
had one civil war is liable 10 have an
other, and all good men were relieved
when Harrison WIS elected and this
danger ayorted. With full knowledge
that they had no chance for fair election
in the South, the Republicans made their
fight in the North alone. Aiter fearful
struggle they were successful, but the
country should never again be subjected
TO such terrible ordeal. Before the cleo
tion Of Cleveland the suppression Of negro
suffrage had been advocated by Demo
cratic leaders In the South, who were care.
iul that their uttcHances should not he
published to the world; but the successful
seating OF him as President by fraudulent
electoral votes inspired them with bold
meas. and many Democratic leaders openly
ayowcd IL, with a daredevil inquiry.
"What are You going TO do about it2'
Some leaders In the North were beginning
60 talk about another war II this vas re-
pea,cd, and good men were growing un.
easy lest tho issue should be again pre-.
senied whether II was best 10 submit again
90 the Inauguration Of President elected
by fraud OF have another war.
II Cleveland had carried New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut, and been
counted in by electoral votes Of States
where the colored vote was in q majority
and confesscdly suppressed, II would have
been severe strain upon the conservatism
Of the Republican people % submit 10 Il,
and there would have been imminent dan
ger OF another civil war. The election OF
Harrison ayerted this, and u should now
be the aim, M Il il the duty, Of every true
patriot 10 provide against IT. possible re-
curronce? That the local affairs Of n State
aru beyond the control OF the General
Government all parties admit, aud no Re-
publican desires 10 interfere with local
affairs OF the South. The Junior Senator
from Mississippi made an able argument
30 show that where the effects Of race
prejudice were confined 10 local afTairs the
General Government had no right 20 inter-
ierc. II We should grant this
- be true, although doubtful un-
der n strict construction Of the
fifteenth amendment, Il would seem
certainly clear that where the exhi-
bition OF race prejudice does not affect the
welfare Of the nation, then the General
Government not only has power but is In
a..
oi the negro vote In Congressional and
Presidential elections directly affects the
welfare Of the nation. And II counting
the negro vote legally 10 elect a white Re.
publican 10 Congress excitos the race
prejudice Of n Southern Democrat, GER
iainly counting the negro vote Illegally by
n Southern Democrat to elect n President
IA well calculated 10 excite the sectional
prejudice Of n Northern Republican.
That Congress has power 10 make rules
and regulations ior the election Of iB Rep
Tcscntatiycs is distinctly stated In the
fourth section Of the first article Of the
Constitution Of the United States ~ fol-
lows "Iho times, places and manner OF
holding Congressional elections for Sem
ntors and Representatives shall he pre-
scrbed In each State by the Iegis.
laturc thereof; but the Congress may nj
any time by law make or alter
such regulations, except as 20 the
places of choosing Senators" Congrvss
has 30 Ear permitted the election Of
~ members 10 be held by State officers
under State laws, and Il Is best ~ a general
rule that this should be continued, but
whenever there is reasonable groundto bo.
licye that frauds will be pcrpctiated spc-
cial rules and regulations should be made
90 guard against it, and this becomes more
essential when wholesale frauds are 20 DO
expected from what Democrats call uncon.
tr5llablc race prcjudices. Tho fifteenth
amendment gave the negro the riglt Of
suffrage and gave 10 Congress the power 10
enforce this right by appropriate legisla-
ton. The Republican party went before
the country and were successful upon n
platform pledged 60 enforce fair election
BY appropriate legislation. What, then,
IL appropriate legislation IN the premises9
Under this provision Of the Constitution
supervisors oi election were provided 90
watch anil report on In fairness but Ia
tho Souih this has proved iailurv and
become a farce. IL bgcomcs necessary
therefore, now that In districts where n
,naaooaf,ta ahoWt tng In tnnda that ll.aro