The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-03

tion, anu Tue only way out OF III Is 10 rely
upon the Democratic party, and it strength
ened and placed in power by your votes.
THE REGULATION OF NATIONAL ELECTIONS.
The Journals statement in a recent
editorial that ''there are yet many I'M
developed points at which national au-
thority may have to touch the individual
States" is construed by Harper's Weekly
as guarded expression of "the feeling
of many Republicans that the para
mount public questionis the suppression
of the cOlOred vote in the Southern
States" The fact that the Journals
statement is given different cOnstruc-
tiOns in different quarters proves its
truth. 1t shows that there are floating in
the public mind half-formed convictions
of an approaching necessity for the exer-
else of national authority for new pur-
poses. These inchoate opinions are yetin
a somewhat nebulous state, but time
will solidify them. Meanwhile, their
extensive prevalence in floating form
proves the correctness of the Journals
statement that there are yet many unde-
velOped points at which national author
ity may have to touch the individual
States.
Harper's Weekly is right in surmising
that the suppression of the cOlOred vote
in the Southern States raises one of
these points. This is at once party
question and a question higher than par
ty 1t involves the redemption of
pledges by the Republican party,
and It involves good deal more
than that. Justice to the whites
of the North as well as to the
negroes of the South, the preservation
of republican government, as we'll as the
honor of the Republican party, demands
that the suppression of the colored vote
in the South shall not continue to be
practiced in the future as it has been in
the past. To this end the authority of
the national government should be ex-
ercised clear up to the line of cOnstitu-
tiOnal power. The national govern
ment cannot interfere at all in purely
State and local elections, but its power
to regulate elections in which national
officers are chosen is beyond doubt. This
includes elections for congressman and
President. AS to these it is no longer
question of constitutional power, but
only one of policy and methods. 1t is
not a question whether Congress may
enact a law which will secure fair cleo
tions in the South, but what kind of
legislation will best secure the end.
The nature and magnitude of the evil
are best shown by few figures. The
six States OF Alabama, Arkansas, Geor-
gia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South
Carolina have 1,720, 900 males of voting
age and forty-three Representatives in
Congress, yet they polled in 1888 only
7s5, 1856 votes. They have Representa-
tive for every 1890 votes cast. Twelve
Western and Northwestern States, with
a voting population of Ass, 1000, have
eighty eight Representatives in Con-
gress, and last fall cast 1886, 203 votes.
These States have a Representative for
every 42,457 votes cast. By the ratio
which prevails III the Southern States
these twelve Northern States should
have 2O4 Representatives instead of
lightweight. BY the ratio which pre-
walls in the North, the six Southern
States would have eighteen Representa-
tives instead of forty-three. The
same disparity holds in the Elec-
toral College. 1t is not a theory
that confronts us but a condition, and
the question is wbsther the condition
shall be permitted B., continue. 1t is
fragrant and open violation of the Con-
stitution, constant humiliation of the
North, disgrace to republican govern
ment and menace to the peace and
welfare of the country.
The Republican party, by its origin,
its principles, its traditions and its plat
forms is committed to deadly war
against this gigantic wrong, and to right
it if possible. In speech delivered at
Detroit, several months before his NOM
nation, General Harrison said:
The truth to-day is that the colored Re-
publican vote of the South. and with il
and by consequence. the white Republican
vote of the South, is deprived of all effect
i've influence In the administration of this
by the colored population of the South in
the Electoral College and in Congress was
more than enough to turn the last election
for President, and more than enough to re-
yerse-yes, largely more than reverse-the
present Democratic majority of the House
of Representatives. Have we the spirit to
insist that everywhere. North and South.
in this country of ours no man shall be de-
prived of hishallot by reason of his politicsf
To ask the question is to answer it,
but insistence is one thing and enforce
ment is another. The important cues