Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-07-12
JULY II, 1890. SUPPLEMENT.

nounce that policy as unconstitu
tional and void, and to resist it to
the very brink of treason. And it il,
therefore, in some degree natural
and may be entitled to that pa
thence due the mfr mites of human
nature, that our white brethren in
the South regard our insistence upon
the enforcement of the consti tuition
al guarantees TO every citizen of the
Republic, white or black, strong or
weak, as inspired by vindictive
rather than just motives, and for
lsalutary ends. These views NAV
cause us to look With compassion
ate tenderness upon the needless
distress of their minds, but they can
not and ought not to weaken the
firmness of our attachment to JUS
tices or slacken our determination to
secure TO every voting citizen under
the flag free ballot and fair count.
1M siderations, Mr.. Speaker.
sufficiently indicate the necessity
of some legislation te improve exist
i ing conditions and remedy existing
evils. 1t is not merely a privilege
extended which we may enjoy or
not. 1t is duty imposed which we
must perform. The Constitution
commands it. Justice requires It.
humanity and gratitude plead for it
trumpet-tOngusd.
INGRATITUDE.
Speaking of gratitude, can not
repress the thought, how insensible
to the obligations of this noble
virtue are our white brethren of the
South. That the colored people ex-
hibited toward their masters, during
the dark days of the war, devotion
and fidelity as steadfast as they
were beautiful, has been shown by
too great a volume of testimony to
be In doubt. Southern statesmen
themselves are truthful and volun-
tary witnesses to this point. Sena
tor VANCE, of North Carolina, SAYS !:
The Negro race that was born and reared
among US did not rise up ia do us harm in the
hour of our EXTREMIST adversely, even for the
great boon Of freedom and amidst the most
their masters aud their families. even within
hearing of the guns that roaring TO set
them free.
Senator BUTLER, of South Caro-
lima, says:
Nor do underestimate the obligation we are
oil under to this race for their fidelity and mos;
prRiseworthy conduct during our depicting civil
strife. whatever fate the future may have In
store for him, nothing O. destroy or obllternto
the strong ties OF anectionate Kindness between
him self and his former master.
Henry w. Grady, of Georgia, in
his New York speech in 1886, said
We remember with what fidelity for four wears
he guarded our defenseless women and children
whose husbands and fathers were drhtinr
against his freedom. To his eternal credit be II
said that whenever he struck a blow for his own
liberty he fought In open battle. and when at
the shackles might be struck on. those hands
were INNOCENT 81 wrong against his helpless
pSsyery man WIG honors Loyalty and devotion,
General Gordon, in his Chicago
speech last November, said:
During the war. gray bearded sires. frail wo.
tation and In a large measure In charge of the
entire culored populations. The conquering
leGions OF the Union with emancipation emblaR-
oned ON their banners moved In their very midst
The cannon OF the victorious army Numbered
day and night in the: black mans ear the
news OF his freedom. and its flashing bayonets
formed around him n Gordon of protection II he
would but abandon his home and strike a blow
Tor his own freedom. Yet in all that broad land
not one single arm. With the exception OF the few
who had Joined the Federal army. was raised
against helpless woman save to protect her.
And now with all the provocation
they endure, the temperate tone
of the representative men of the race
is a notable circumstance. No cry
for vengeance mingled with their
indignant protest against the
wrongs they suffer. They rise to
the height OF the great argument OF
civilization, and appeal to law and
not to violence.
Under such circumstances it ought
not to require very keen sense of
services rendered and obligations
due to impel the debtor to make
some returns for past favors in the
way of just treatment, and cordial
recognition of rights earned by
their services and good behavior,
and awarded by the Government to
which they We're never disloyal.
POWER AND DUTY OF SUPERVISION.
In ali ages and all nations where
popular governments have been in
vogue there have been frauds.
wrongs, violence and intimidation,
which made it necessary to enact
laws for their suppression and to
protect the voter in the exercise
of his rights The elective fran
chise has been the subject of legal
protection, wherever and whenever
it has been exercised The statute
books of every nation on the face of
the globe where the citizens vote
contain statutes designed to pre-
vent wrongs which impede, obstruct,
or prevent the free exercise of that
expression" of a freeman's will.
1t is so in every State in this Union,
and by no other means can the pur-
ity of the ballot be maintained.
The first clause of the fourth sec
ton Of the first article of the Con-
stitution is in these words:
The teme, place. and manner of holding cleo
tom for Representatives and Senators shall be
prescribed In each state by rhe Legislature there
OF; but the Congress may at any time by law
make or alter such regulations, except as to
places OF choosing Senators.
The reason for this nrOvisiOn 10