The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-24

A highly educated negro lawyer. q resi-
dent Of Florida, has written letter that
has been extensively published by Demo-
cratic journals. IN which he magnihes the
privileges enjoyed BY negroes In the south.
such - the right TO ride in separate rail-
road ears. the education OF their children
In separate schools. the right to work for
Living, etc, and contends that the only
cause Of friction between them and their
white neighbors, and therefore the only
thing that can lead 70 serious race con-
flicts, Is the desire OF the colored people
to exercise their political rights a. citizens.
and therefore, In . document marked by
great grace Of diction. he advises the COLI
ored people 20 coniine themselves 10 ef-
forts for the promotion of their material
welfare, and for the sake Of peace 10 forego
the exercise Of their right Of suffrage.
II Is celd-blooded proposition. Just
how much 50. viii Be better appreciated by
q comparison. DIR. Frank Pixiey, OF San
francisco. and many people scattered all
over the county, who draw inspiration
from his Asgonam newspaper, are very
hostile TO the political dominance Of q nu-
merous and influential body Of their white
fellow-eitixens. whom Mr. Pixley Is pleased
70 characterize as ''the pope's Irish" He
and his followers are willing that these
ssigmatlzed people shall ride In any rail-
road cars they can afford 10 pay for, to edu-
cate their children In any OF the public
schools. ard to engage in any useful enter
pFises or in any professional avocation.
They are only hostile TO them rs voters or
ofilce-holders. What would be thought OF
the Irlshman who on that account should
advise his compatrioss 70 forego those priv
ilsgesf
II Is reported that certain statesmen at
Washington have been revolving a scheme
70 meet the Southern race conflict by an
invocation OF the fourteenth amend ment
TO the Federal constitution. They must be
aware that thla can net DO done success
fully THE amendment provides that when
aIly sassie denies sa -citizens OF the United
States within sss boundaries She right 10
vote, the representation OF such state In
congress can be correspondingly reduced.
But II IL = well known fact that the states
A. states--by their constitutions or laws
do not abridge the right Of suffrage 10 the
negroes IL the act Of individuals and
not OF the states, Therefore the resort to
this expedient il . mere subterfuge.
Another suggestion has been made that
theeolored people refuse 10 give their names
70 the census officers and thus secure re-
duetion Of Southern apportionment. This
Il flinsier suhserfage. II Is the duty of
the census officers 10 ''enumerate" the In.
habitants. and the giving Of names Is .
mere convenience. nos On essential.
There Is no use trying to dodge the issue.
IL is \ plain question Of hack down or do
right. II Is arrant cowardice 10 plead that
eliorts 10 suppress crime may lead 10 q So
rlons conflict. There Il no crime more
fragrant than the destruction OF the rights
Of citizens, one-sixth Of the citizens
OF the United staies are practically
debaFred from the exercise OF their highest
rights as citizens. The constitution and
the laws guarantee 10 them the free axer.
else Of those rights. Shall the constitution
and the laws liz this respecs be enforced or
ruthlesSiy trodden under footG The
answeF must be aye or nay. Il il plain
case Of stand up or back down. There il
no halfway house IN which the timid OF
disingenaons can take refuge.
II justice is sought 10 be evaded in this
connection. there is one way in which the
negroes can become masters OF the situa-
sscn; those u the North can band together
and demand efficient legislation on this
subject, with the alternative that the no.
groes Of The South must M eifectuaIly pro-
tectsd in the suffrage, or they u the North
will NOT vote IL Is 10 be hoped thar no
such heroic remedy win be required.