The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-03
Not the Way to Solve II.


In Mississippi the question Of calling a
constitutional convention with the view Of
Solving the race problem is being discussed
very earnestly. The people are divided on
the question, and even the United States
senators from that state entertain different
opinions with respect to it. Senator George
favors a convention and Senator Walthall
opposes it.
In a speech at jackson, the state capital,
the other day, Senator Walthan declared
that while there were many Objectionable
features in the present constitution the peo-
pie could get along very well under it, and
that to change it would be a rather danger
Gus undertaking. Although it is the work
of republicans it contains a great deal Of
old and good material, and the hostility to
it is sentimental rather than substantial
The senator pointed out that as long as
the federal constitution remained as it is it
would not be possible to make white su-
premacy in Mississippi permanent by any
ordinance or constitution that the state
might adopt. He declared that the race
problem was not one that could be sol we'd
by constitutions or ordinances, and it would
be folly therefore to attempt to settle it in
that way.
At present the blacks of Mississippi are
quite Indifferent to politics. They are pay
ing more attention than ever before to the
Improvement Of their material condition.
II constitutional convention were called
few white men, who have been looking for
an opportunity to organize the blacks and
arouse in them an interest in politics, would
at once become active. They would tell the
blacks that their rights were about to be at
tackled. and that if they wanted to preserve
them they must send republicans to the
convention. The result would be, in all
probability, a convention that would do the
state more harm than good.
If convention were called and the right
to vote were confined to those who could
read and write, or who had certain
amount of property, thousands of active
young white men would be DISTINGUISHED,
and the Democratic party couldn't spare
them. Senator Walthall declared it to be
his belief that the only way to prevent the
evils which would follow if the blacks
should get control of affairs, was for the
whites to act together. If there should be
entire harmony and sympathy among the
whites the state would remain under their
control until there had been a partial or
complete solution of the race problem.
There can be little doubt that the position
taken by Senator Walthall the correct is
one. To call constitutional convention
for the avowed purpose of making white
supremacy in the state permanent would
bring about very unhappy condition of
affairs. Indeed it is doubtful if the whites
could be held together for such purpose,
and dissensions in the ranks of the whites
would afford the few white men who lead
the blacks the opportunity to come to the
front that they have long sought.
Senator Walthall declared that he favored
the acquisition of both knowledge and
property by the blacks. 1t is certain that
as they acquire these things they will cease
to follow blndly the leaders of the Repub-
lican party. They will be as anxious as the
whites are for good and economical govern
ment, and there will be more ground for
hoping for solution of the race problem
then than there is at present