Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-12-04
CoLoRED MEN DIsFRANCHIsED.
Suppression of Votes at the Polls in TIL


Suppression of Votes at the Polls in the
South.
The colored people did not intrude themselves
upon us; they were brought here IL chains and
held in the communities where they are now
chiefly found, by a cruel slave code. Happily
Tor both races they free. They have.
from standpoint of ignorance and poverty
which was our shame. not theirs, made remark
able advances i'll education and In the acQuisi-
tion of property They have, peOpe, shown
Themselves TO be friendly and faithful toward
the white race. under temptations of ire
mendous strength. They have their repre-
sentatives in the national cemeteries where q
grateful government has gathered the ashes OF
those who died in its defense. They have iur-
nished to our regular army regiments that have
Won hlgh praise from their commanding officers
for courage and soldiery qualities and for tidel-
lty to the enlistment OATH In civil life they are
now the tolerS OF their communities, making
their full contribution to the widening streams
of prosperity which these communities are re-
ceivng. Their sudden withdrawal would stop
production and bring disorder into the house
hold as well as the shop. Gene rally they do not
desire TO quit their homes, and their EMPLOYERS
resent the interference OF the emigration agents
Who seek to stimulate such desire.
But, notwithstanding all this in many parts
OF our country where the colored population il
large, the people of that are. by various de-
wees, deprived OF any effective exercise of their
political rights and OF many or their civil rights
The wrolg does not expend itself upon those
whose votes are suppressed. Every constituency
in the Union is wronged.
1t has been the hope of every patriot that a
sense of justice and respect for the law would
work gradual cure for the flag ant evils. Surely
no one supposes that the present ran be accepted
as permanent condition. If is said that these
communities must work out this problem for
themselves, we have q right to ask whether they
are at work upon it. Do they suggest any solrl-
ton? When and under what conditions is the
black man to have free ballot? When
rights which have so long been his
due? When is that equality of influence which
our form O government has intended to secure
TO the eli ctOrs to be restored? This generation
should courageously face these grave questions,
and not leave them as heritage of woe to the
ne KIT The consultation should proceed with
candOr, calmness and great patience; upon the
lines OF justice and humanity. not of prejudice
ana cruelty No question in our country can be
at rest except upon the firm basis of justice and
Of the law
earnestly invoke the attention of Congress to
the consideration of such measures Within its
well-delined constitutional powers as will secure
TO all our people Tree exercise of the right of
suffrage and every other CIVIL right under the
constitution and laws of the United States. No
evil. however deplorable, can justify the assump-
ton, either on the part OF the Executive or Con-
gress of power not granted; but both will be
highly blamatle if all the powers
used 10 correct these evils The
power to take the whole direction and control of
the election of members of the House of Repro
sentatives is clearly given to the general gov
eminent. partial and qualified su vision of
in my opinion this law may be SO strengthened
ana extended as to secure. on the whole, better
results than can be attained by a law taking all
the processes of such election into federal court
The colored man should be protected IN all his
relations to the federal government whether a.
elector Tor members of Congress- or peaceful
traveller upon our interstate railways.