The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-02-06
SENATOR CuANDLER'SWARNIN

OEANAiOh ShANDLis - w hhNiANo
Senator Chandler, OF New Hamp-
shire, is undoubtedly right in saying
that the proposition OF Congressman
Oates to disfi anchise the negro will
find no support. 1t could only be
brought about by an amendment to the
Constitution OF the United State, and
it is doubtful If s ng o State would
favor it, The cause, OF opposition
would be different. The Republicans
would oppose it on principle, they hav-
ing the same reasons now rs IN recon
struction days TO favor universal sui
frage: the Democrats wouid oppose 1T
for the re. son that the practical 'foot
OF the Oates pro- ositlon would he 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 the same goal,
like two globe-trott rs taking bee lines
in opposite directions, gong back To
back, but coming at last face to face.
There is no chance for intelligent diff
ference of opinion on this point in the
Granite State Senator's --latest express
sion OF opinion OH tie Southern cues
ton.
Mr.. Chandler drops into prophecy.
He mildly, not menacing!y, predicts
that the whites of the South are tie IS
uring up for themselves 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-
tor, zone of which is to keep and bear
arms. The Southern whites should
make friends with the negroes around
them before the latter lecome desper-
ate" There is no doubt very consid-
cradle 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 insurrection.
1t is true, however, that the martial in
stinct was somewhat cultivated In the
negro race by that wor, and the famil-
lar remark, "The colored troops fought
nobly," was no more than the exact
truth. 1t was astonishing that race
of slaves who had shown no disposition
to rise in instruction should yet prove
brave soldiers, which was certainly the
case. The latest outbreak in Eastern
Mississippi, although shrouded in mys-
terry, would seem from all accounts to
have been less one sided than such at
fairs usually have been. Many colored
men had shooting irons, and knew how
to use them. That bloody episode
ought to serve rs warning against
going too far in the bulldozing and
shotgun policy, and Senator Chan
dler remark must be construed rs q
warning rather than a menace.
The craftsmanship of John Sherman
has outlined plan which, if adopted,
would probably prove an amiclbie
solution of the difficulty, and will un-
doubtedly receive large attention from
the Fifty-first 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 at least
enable the majority to rule in the cleo
ton 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-
tial electors in its own way, and ut 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 dlshon-
| est elections. The Sherman bill would
observe sclupulously the line of de
narration between State and national
authority in matters of elections, and
tend steadily to the overthrow OF a sys-
tenn which is not only 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 fair
elections would be eminently whole
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