The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1890-04-24

what Is the AusJTailan DAilOV SlS-
TEN, except device to cheat the ig-
norant out of his vote, rs its chief ad-
Why require prepayment of heavy
poll tax, except in the hope that the
mass of illiterates, who are generally
the poor, will forego the privilege of
voting rather than pay the prescribed
taxi
Let us not deceive ourselves or he
deceived. Let us deal honestly and
boldly within constitutional limits,
with the great question before us. If
we have need to do anything let us
not shrink from what promises relief,
because of novelty, and departure
from past methods.
"They that are whole need not
physician, but the sick" If tho
Commonwealth is not sick if there is
no danger, if all is well, let MS rejoice
in our happy condition, and with
bright prospects founded on present
healthful indications, address oar
selves to other matters. But why all
this earnest consideration among in
telligent and thoughtful men as to the
present and futuref What subject is
uppermost in the minds of thiDkersf
Why do great Senators and statesmen
in Congress and learned editors speak
and write and publish on the one all
absorbing theme of preserving the
civilization of the South from the ava
lanche of unframed prejudice and ig-
norance which it is said threatens
several of the States7 Are not men
casting about in every hopeful di-
rection for some valid method of Sc
curing the government to the wealth
and intelligence and virtue of the
landP If this can be done consistent
~ with the Constitution of the United
States, and without depriving any
man of his right to vote, with fairness
to all races and colors, and on terms
Offering like opportunities to all, it is
not an objection that each individual
may not have the same influence in
governing as another. The object is
to secure good government. The
question is: How to do it. We have
it now, but it is affirmed that the sta
tus quo cannot be much longer main
tanned. was of the stupid set who
did not perceive the threatened dan
ger as clearly as others, and who
doubted the wisdom of calling con-
vention to revise the Constitution, not
that it may not be greatly improved
in many respects, but because it is
tolerable at present, and we are get
ting along pretty well, and had better
not disturb matters for awhile, rea-
soned; but the answer was "Why
delayf Are we not adding tens of
thousands of ignorant immigrants an
nually to the already immense major
ity which is constant menace to our
security7 Shall we supinely fold our
arms in fancied security and go on to
the destruction so surely threateningf
Why not now, while we may" it was
said, "call a convention and provide
barriers to the dangers threatened
and plainly visiblef" The Opposers
and dOubters were hushed to silence
and recOnciled to the view that it was
wise to have a convention, and one
was provided for and many wise men
have given views of what should be
done, and with every one the para
mount thought has been, how shall it
be arranged so as to place the gov
eminent in hands that will make it
safe from the dire results of negro
Nomination.
have heard it charged that ballot
boxes are stuffed; that electors are
driven from the pOllsO so intimidated
as not to approach them; that results
are changed in many ways. l know
rakhsnr. IS o,nh 4,l
that the conscience of the country is
beginning to revolt; that the religious
and moral are murmuring at what is
said to prevail; that fear exists that
the corruption in political methods al
legged to exist will faint society by
spreading decentralization abroad as to
other matters. / do not confess the
truth of this, but would remove all
ground for suspicion of it. / would
arrange for free vote and fair count
and honest methods, while l would
openly and directly provide against
any evil consequences from receiving
and counting and reporting every
ballot in the State. l see that the
sturdy men of the Northwest, for the
most part, shun Mississippi, and thus
while negroes are pouring into the
State, white immigrants are few. l
hear murmurs of discomfort among
our own people. l see that the farm
ers are aroused and banded together
in oranges, alliances, ETC., which is
right and proper, but itshows the un-
rest which prevails, and the striving
for better conditions. join in the
desire to secure them. am willing to
be DISTINGUISHED in order to vest the
governing power in the freeholders
of country and town. But the scheme
is to disfranchise no one. Let every
one entitled vote, but so arrange that
the vote of the ignorant, or prejudiced
or vicious, shall be harmless because
of the power in the intelligent and
virtuOus to neutralize such votes. l
can never agree with him who has
not this object in view.
Let me not be misunderstood. l
am the friend of the poor and humble.
hesitate not to declare that the ne
grOes are the best people in the world
in their situation and circumstances.
l would protect them in all their
rights, aud shield them from all in
justice and wrong. But they are not
tit to govern the country, and they
know it and feel it, and will admit it
when dealing calmly and honestly
AS they have secured to them the
right to vote, would protect them in
its enjoyment, but supply an anti
dOte that does them no wrou0 7