The Greenville times., 1890-12-20
GREENVILLE TINES
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 20. ls9o
THE ELECTION BlLI-IfS NATURE AND
H0H IT WOULD OPERATE.


remarks Of Senator Walthall upon th,
pending (senste) bin. Ills speech-ar
able plea for the South, the truth Of
its conditions and the demands fol
craftsmanship in their ireatment-dis.
plays the deep thought aud acute OBJ
servation he has bestowed upon he
chief question Of all others TO our sec
tion aud the nation:
The BIN does not openly disclose a
design 10 throw the weight and force
of Federal power in Congressional
elections 10 the side of any class
against another, but II can not be
plauslbly pretended that this Is not lis
leading object.
No purpose Is declar q to stimulate
the inferior race in the Southern States
to contend with the white race for the
mastery in politics, but such a purpose
would be no more unmistakable than
II Is If II were expressed in words in
every line of the pending measure
There Is no recital that the governing
motive Is TO secure party advantage
at any cost TO the white race IN the
South by increasing the Republican
forces in the House of Representative.
but that motive would be no moro
clearly revealed it il were distinctly
set forth IN the title and In all the
terms of the bill.
The proposition, so far as concerns
the Southern States, in effect is simply
this; To arm horde Of parti-ans
with Federal power, and distribute
them over these States to excite The
negro's opposition in politics to hs
white neighbour with whom lac IL at
peace, TO put the power of the GOV.
ernment behind him, aud TO urge him
forward TO try bis strength, backed up
by national support
The effect will bo 10 stimulate race
antagonlsms, 10 distinctly draw anew
the partially obliterated color line in
Southern politics, TO excite the white
mans apprehension Of negro domino
tion, and strenghihon his resolution to
prevent II, aud revive in the credulous
and impulsive blacks hopes Of power
which eau not BE- fulfilled.
Should this bin become n law. IN
many Districts In the South, Congress
sional elections will turn upon none of
the political issues on which parties
elsewhere are divided, but the para.
mount question will be whether tho
whites or the blacks shall name the
Representatives aud the rulers of the
people.
The common ground on which the
two races might meet but for such
law will disappear whenever II IA
enacted, and every disposition toward
conciliation and concession win, fear,
DO displayed by spirit of aggression
and retaliation, Of resistance and re-
sentiment, In the rcvulsion which lis
enforcement will inevitably produce.
Dlscord, and disquiet, contention and
strife viii be It's fruits, social order
VIII be disturbed, business interrupted.
prosperity hindered, and the slow but
gradual adjustment of race relations :
which time Is working In the South. d
VIII bc arrested, suspended, and de-
featod.
Seeing that these results must surely :
come If tins bill Is enacted into law,
and living In a State whore perhaps {
tho heaviest calamties would fall, | Y
appeal TO the Senators on the other y
side TO consider whether the doubtful
prospect of party advantage can Justify u
lhis arbitrary aud dangerous Interrupt
ION OF the relations which now exist
between the whites aud blacks In the
southern section of the Union.
These relations are far more salts
actory to the people most concerned,
'nd some Of them have been anxiousy SO
asling about for oxpedlents and plans OF
" which to improve them through Of
he action of the State governments. y,
nd most of them would submit 10 ii
ny sacrifice of interest or any sur. :
enuer Oh representation in Congress,
T III the Electoral College, to roach
ale and certain solution of their
eculiar difficulties. But to my mind,
there be one thing certain connected
nth the great race problem which is
efore US, Il is that Its workings can
OF be regulated by iron rules, nor It's
'lution hastcned by arbitrary laws.
IL Is because my observation and
spericnce have taught me this, that >
lrnestly dcprecaio the passage of the
III proposed or any kindred measure; :.
hd IN discussing the subject, | will I
ass over the question of constitutional
over involved, which has been ably
lscussed by Others, and treat Il from .
10 standpoint of expediency. for,
'eaking for myself alone, | consider {
lat there is power enough TO uphold
Federal election law, which. when c
eed from the constitutional objections 6
hich are good against this bill, will ,
u be most harmful and pornicious in 8
operation upon the paramount ::
lcstion which most yitally aud direct.
Affects the people of both races IN
70 southern States. Strip this bill of
'ery Objectionable feature in il which
IS been most discussed here aud there
Ill yet remain in the bare fact that
10 General Government Is Interfering
Southern elections enough 10
'grayate aud intensity the difficulties
the Southern situation. which now
EN- gradually to be disappearing.
A
Argument 50 tempered and so sound
n but arrest The thought aud com.
aud The respect of all good citizens,
whatever party, 10y whom read.
In demonstrating how far more real
nsideration was granted the negro's
lilical status In the South than in tbe -
'rth, Senator Walthall made strong :
lstration of this District. lie cited :
the following fact: In Coahoma y
unity there is negro Representative.
supervisors, Justices and 6 Consla. )
Is. In Washington, Representa-
Q, Coroner and Ranger, one halfth !
stlces and Constables and . Coun.
men (in Greenvillc). In lssaquona 4
of 81 officials 20 are negroes In.
ding the Representative, the Clerk &
a.