Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28
RrcnMoNp. April %, 1889

RIcHMoND, April %, 1889.
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
have been careful reader of your
articles on the subject OF 1.-The Negro
Problem" which now confronts us,
threatening the welfare of this state, as
well as the entire South. Such being
the fact it IS worse than idle to waste
time and talent in abusing those who
present this problem and sitting idle, do
lug nothing else until decisive issue OF
the question is forced upon us for settle
ment before we are prepared for 1t. We
cannot expect to be let clone. That
politician who expects his opponent to
sat still and let him have his way about
everything without any interference
should be sent to an asylum for idiots.
Yet it appears to me that that is about
all that we are clamoring for.
/ believe that no proof will be needed
TO convince the general public that both
political parties are unscrupulOus IN the
methods they employ to promote the
success OF their respective parties. Party
success with them IS far above the coun-
try's welfare. such being the case let
ussuppose that the negro vote is the
balance of power which is to tip the
scale in favor OF the election Of Presi-
dent and congressman. Don't you
know that both parties Will do their very
utmost to secure this vote? Don't you
know that thov will not he overscrupu-
lous in the means they employ? Then,
why give them the opportunity with
chances in favor of the Republican
party? II the negro votes were neces-
sary to secure the Democratic party Of
this State to elect the Governor
and Legislature, would you not do your
very best to get it ? Can you blame the
Republicans for doing the same +?
Can the southern people expect the
Republicans of the North and south b
let them take entire control of the bal
lot-boxes and do all the counting il they
can prevent 1t, especially when they be-
ieye the ballots are not properly count
ed? Would you allow them such power
il Won could prevent it ? DO not under
stand me "a advocating the prOprlety OF
either party 8 taking entire control of the
election machinery When they do the
elections will surely be frauds. twill
be a dark day when the National Gov
eminent takes control Of the elections Of
President and congressman. But / do
feel very uneasy lest our situation
offers the General Government temp
tatiou too strong to DO withstOOd.
When | consider the past antecedents
OF the party politicians. | believe that
such a thing will surely happen II either
political party in power believe that
doing thus will secure their continuance
III Office and render their party success
permanent If either party does at
tempt 1t the others objections eau be
met by saying: This is Just what you
have been doing.
do Lot write this article for the pur-
pose OF censuring either political party
bat solely for the purpose Of calling at
tcntiOn 10 our affairs rs We are actually
situated, and 10 suggest the propriety Of
wasting no more time in merely sound
ing alarms and OF no longer abusing
those from whom our danger is appre-
heuded and crying, Hold, enough Let
rs alone aud the like. No thinking
man. it seems to me, can expect TO be
let alone even though he ought to be let
alone, as he thinks. Rather let us disco
yer some plan by which We will suffer the
least harm when we are not let alone.
in my opinion the solution of this
problem Is easy, entirely in our power.
and within the limits of the Fed
eral Constitution. 1t is simply 20
amend the elective franchise clauses Of
our state constitutions and prescribe that
none but those who can read and write
shall be allowed 10 vote. Now the OBJ
iect Of this article is to know il your
influential paper will lend its powerful
all in the effort OF the southern people
to nd themselves Of the mass of ignO-
rance that ROW influences our body
polite, and tempts the vicious dema-
gogue 10 pander TO their behests IL
has been truly said that tho moral
status of the representative can no more
riso above that Of his constituency,
than water can rise above its level
l beliye that there is still enough virtue
and patriotism among the voting
masses to rally TO such an effort, even
though they might lose their own votes
thereafter. 1t seems 10 ne that the
Democratic party OF the South Is fully
committed to some such plan as | sug-
gest. 1t alone has the power in the
South to rid us OF the danger they say
they apprehend. And if they sit idle
and do nothing but abuse the negro and
the Republicans, while they are all the
time permitting the tempting induce
ment to the Republican party t. take
control of the election Of Federal Off
GERS and do all the counting Gas thew may
do whenever they get majority IN both
houses of Congress and the Presidency
to remain they may find when TOO late
that their curses viii only come home to
roost upon their own heads.
That this plan IS perfectly feasible is
apparent from the last census. Now the
way is open to you. What are you going
to do? Will you do nothing but abuse
the other party and wait TO see what they
will do2 If 80, mark my prediction,
you will bitterly repent OF your folly.
Excuse me for saying that men who thus
act and keep saying, LET us alone
leave us to work out this problem our
selves" &C., and do nothing but these,
looking to our own elections as our secu,
rity, are but little better than idiots.
You may be sure that You will not be let
alone. ii you have this dangerou:
weapon close by you, ready for use, you
may DO sure that your assailant will use
it upon you if he can. Yet you have il
there ready for him unless you destroy
1t. q. p. II.