The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-02-13
TIE RACE PROBLEM.
Ex-Governor BuIIocIt, of Georgia, Calmly
Considers the Cnss.

4
In your able editorial Of the 18th, Gre
spect for Lawful Methods" reference is
kindly made to myself by name, with a
| quotation from recent card of mine
published here, demanding that the con
trolling clements in our communities
exert themselves to prevent mob violence.
commenting upon my objection to new
federal election laws for the South, YOU
say: 'He has SO far not even expressed
aoE Willingness to see n Si!nple act for
the use OF the Australian ballot reform
system In electing members of the lIyusp
OF Representatives placed oD the statute
Oooks." etc. Permit me 10 say at once
that now "express a Willingness" for
any statute on that line tnat Is to be un-
lversal in it's application. l believe,
further, that it is within the power Of
Congress to provide tho manner in which
members of State Legislature shall
be elected when such members are TO be
called upon to select United States
Senator.
The power of federal authority ovor
this subject has never been questioned by
me. have doubted and etill doubt the
policy Of a Republican Congress ADOPT
lug, or even proposing special sectional
icGlelahonstor the purpose Of overcoming
an alleged suppression of tue cclorcI
vote. Past experience should satisfy
every one that if such an evil exists it
cannot be overcome in this way. Such
legislation solidifies the whites here in
'ndliference 10 the civil and political
nights OF the blacks. II the whites be-
llcvc that th; blacks are the special
wards OF the nation, they will feel ro-
llcved OF the duty resting upon them as
in -:
enforce and maintain the ncgro's OWL
and political rights. Again, previous
elections following efforts by Congrcss in
this direction have shown that the people
OF the North did not favor this character
Of legislation, and the Republican ma
Jorlty in Congress was lost.
Believing, as do, that the Republican
policy on all economic issues is best for
the prosperity and upbuilding Of this
section Of our country, my purpose is to
DO whatever is in my power to retain
that party in national control. One effort
IN that direction Is to advise against
measures that will accomplish no bcro.
hclal result here, and are not approved
by the business sentiment Of the North.
l can say without cgotism that my cx-
porlcncc on these issues has been Icon
Siderable More than twenty years ago,
during my executive term, the Legisla-
turc of this State decided that the negro
had no night to hold Office, and expelled
all It's colorcd members, over thirty sin
number. Against this protested to the
Legislature at the lime and subsequently
carried the cax, before Congress by
memorial. The result was the adoption
OF the fifteenth amendment and tho re-
storation of the colorcd men to their
seats. We have also had here the ex-
pc ieuce of unlimited federal authority
and federal forces at elections.
In tho light of this experience, sup
plementcd by observation during the
years which have intervcned, I most
solemnly assure you that the only hope
for complete, perfect and willing &C
quicscence in and support of the black
mans rights as citizen is to be found
oy putting the responsibility upon and
leaving the duty entirely to the organized
communities in which he finds his home
and earns his living. The statutes already
enacted, both State and federal, arc
ample. The danger to republican jnsti-
tutions here, as with you, is from open
ing the ballot box to ignorance. The
'rTobIem" IS how to get clear results
frcm muddy sources.
Leaders Of all parties have approved
the Australian ballot reform system, and
where tried in this country tho expert
mcnt has been successful. There can be
no good reason urged why Congress
should not provide an election law to be
used in all national elections, uniform ia
all the States. But do not attempt one
system for Georgia and another for
Massachusctts. | would 60 further in
hn -
grcss propose An amendment to tho con-
stltution, that from and after January 1,
1900, no person shall vote in any terri
tory OF the Upited States, or in any Sta G,
who cannot read the constitution Of the
United States In the English language.
and has not paid all taxes legally re-
quired.
Commenting upon the coward,y out
rage of whicn eolorcd mcr nave recently
been subjected in this Statl md in South
Carolina, you say: "The l'rcss would be
more hopeful for tho South il all tho ia.
teliigcncc and respectability of it agreed
with cX-GoVcrnor Bullock But such is
not the case. Private advices from Barn
we'll, S. c., representing the highest DOS
sible sources Of Southern culture and in
formation, show q tone OF justification Of
the lynching and shooting. u
The Press will let Ex-Governor Bullock.
Southcrner and an opponent of federal
interference, answer that plea" Thanks.
DO not feel called upon to answer that
plea. There is no justification for unlaw-
ful methods. But [ ana confident YOU
are mistaken when you assume that tho
s'ntclligencc and respectabilly," of the
South do not agree with me in f4voting
the supremacy Of the law as against mob.
violence.
confidently assert that there ia not o
man Of that class in Georgia who vii,
publicly announce that he approves or
commcnds mob law. If any fault lies at
our door it is that the '.in, n,ollieence and
spectablity"in the,,various communities
do not take concerted action to maintain
the majesty Of the law. The governor
cf South Carolina has offered large re-
wards for the arrest Of the inhuman
dcspcradocs who dciied the law. The
governor Of this State has been equally
diligent, and both stand ready to SUP,
port the courts aud the officers of the
law with the militia when necessary.
What more could "federal interfeybnce'
do RUFUS B. BULLOCK.