The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-16


a few days ago there died in Baltimore,
Nd, man Of notable career. His death
serves - : reminder Of events which may
b studied with pro6t In taking broad
view of contemporary politics. Just prior
to the outbreak OF the rebellion this man,
George w. Brown, was elected mayor Of
Baltimore by an overwhelming majority;
eight thousand or whereabouts. Then and
since be bore the reputation Of being
brave and conscientious man.
But IN the spring Of 1851, when President
Lincoln called for troops to defend WASH
ington, Mayor Brown conceded with the
Governor. Hicks. Of Maryland, in opposi-
ton to that state furnishing troops Ito In
wade the soil of any other state" and in
favor Of regarding that state as neutral
ground, across which neither federal nor
confederate troops might pass. He con-
sidered it higher duty, as expressed in
proclamation which he then issued -
mayor, ito preserve the peace and MAIN
tain the honor and dignity Of Maryland"
than to defend the honor and dignity Of
the nation.
But it must ever be remembered to his
honor and in mitigation Of this false posi-
ton, that when few days later Massa-
chusetts regiment on its way through Bal
timore, was mobbed. he headed the sol
diers and CALAMITY opposed the rioters.
And subsequently he visited Washington
and held interviews with President LIN
coin and General Scott, manifesting an
earnest desire to effect some compromise
which would not compel him to sacrifice
his lingering sense of patriotic duty to his
overmastering devotion to the pernicious,
and in his case, exaggerated doctrine Of
state rights.
But like thousands and tens of thousands
Of others who were similarly minded, this
man fell into the current and was carried
along BY it And the same IL true today a.
to the southern attitude in regard to the
the suffrage the equal rights Of American
citizens, and respect for the provisions Of
the federal constitution in relation to these
matters. This has been evidenced by the
remarks made within few days on the
suffrage question in the constitutional con-
vention Of Mississippi By Judge Eimons.
formerly Republican Justice of the Su-
preme Court IN that state. And OF the
same import were the remarks made by
several Republican congressman from the
South during the discussion Of the Lodge
bill.
In that section "white supremacy" has
taken the place Of paramount duty to the
state" - shibboleth in which all must
aoquiesce. And. Is In the former case. the
seizure Of forts, arseuals, minis, custom
houses: the reputation Of duty - officers
educated for the army and navy; the vio-
lation Of sworn obligations - senator's.
representatives and cabinet oficers, were
Ill justified by the fimsy pre- text Of duty to
the state. 20 now intimidation, violence,
murder. ballot-box stufing, bribery and AL
conceivable forms Of corruption and out
lawry are justified on the pretense that they
ere the only means of protection against
''negro domination"
men who feel - Mayor Brown felt in 1851;
who realize that the constitution Is being
trampled in the dust; that the funda-
mental principle of free government 10
being set at naught; that fraud, violence
and murder are not proper means for per-
petusting party supremacy, but they are
carried with the current, shut their eyes to
these enormities or are brought to believe
that all these things are 10 be tolerated if
necessary to the maintenance of 'white
supremacy" And no less imperative is it
now than in 1861 that the South shall be
dealt with as q unit, solidly arrayed
against the constitutional guarantee of
free and equal suffrage