Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-02-13
SENATOR CHANDELIERS WARNING

Senator Chandler, Of New Hamp-
shire, is undoubtedly right in saying
that the proposition OF Congressman
Oates to disfl anchise the negro will
find no support. 1t could only bo
brought about by an amendment to the
Constitution of the United State, and
it is doubtful if sng.e State would
favor it. The causes of opposition
would be different. The Republicans
woald oppose it on principle, they hav-
ing the same reasons now as in recon-
struction days to favor universal suf-
frage; the Democrats would oppose it
for the re son that the practical effect
OF the Oates pro. osition would be to
greatly reduce the Democratic repre-
sentation in the House of Representa-
tiyes and the electoral college. Thus
the two parties, traye ing by opposite
routes, would reach tho same goal,
like two globe-trott rs taking bee lines
in OPP os.te directions, going back 70
back, hut coming ut last face to face.
There is no chance for intelligent diff
| terrence ot topiniOn on this poant in the
isxSMItU ff91ttAo t3etAt At0fss lasest III
sion of opinion on the Southern quss-
tion.
Mr.. Chandler drops into phophecy.
He mildly, not menacingly, predicts
that the whites of the South are treas
! uring up for thems elves wrath against
the day of wrath by their persistent
attempt to deprive the negro OF his
right to the ballot. He knows his
Constitutional rights" says the Sena-
%nr uovn ,,s xvh:,h 10 to E,nn onl hanr
arms. The Southern whites should
make friends with the negroes around
them before the latter become desper-
ate" There is no doubt very consid-
erable danger in the line indicated.
The African disposition is not revenge
full. If it had been the war of the re-
bellion would have also been known in
history as the war of the insnrrection.
1t is true, however, that the martial in
stinct was somewhat cultivated in the
negro race by that WI r, and the famil-
lar remark, "The colored troops fought
nobly," was no more than the exact
truth. It was astonishing that race
OF slaves who had shown no disposition
to rise in insurrec,i n should yet prove
brave soldiers, which was certainly the
case. The latest outbreak in Eastern
Mississippi, although shroud ID in mys-
terry, would seem from all accounts to
have been less one. sided than such af-
fairs usually have been. Many colored
men had shooting irons, aud knew how
to use them. That bloody episo lie
ought to serve as warning against
going too far in the hulldozing and
shotgun policy, and Senator Chan
dler 8 remark must be construed as q
warning rather than menace.
The statesmanship of John Sherman
has outlined a plan which, if adopted,
would probably prove an am!cable
solution of the difficulty, and will un-
/ doubtedly receive large attention from
the Fifty-tirst Congress. The Sher-
man plan is to entirely disconnect Con
| gressional elections from State and
local. 1t is competent for Congress to
| do so. Such dissertation would ut least
enable the majority to rule in the cleo
tion Of Congressman. 1t is true that
Senators are elected by the State Leg
islatures, and that the Constitution al.
lows each State to choose its Presiden.
tia! electors in its own way, and at the
South they might even go SO far as to
vest in the Governor the authority TO
appoint them, with or without con
tirmation by the Senate. But there
would be one important field for fair
election, and that would be perpetual
protest against and rebuke of dishon-
est elections. The Sherman bill would
observe scrupulously tn line of de-
narration between State and national
authority in matters of el ctions, and
tend steadily to the overthrow of sys-
tenn which is not only q clear case OF
the violation of the Constitution but OF
doing violence to the moral sense OF
the community. 1t is inevitable that
the constant example of really fail
elections would be eminently whole
| some and heneficant.-Lnkel.O Deem.