Daily Republican., 1890-06-27
isightlng = Great Wrong.

One of the greatest debates that
ever interested the American people is
now going on in the House uf Repre-
sentatives, as Il virtually means re-
construction OF the election laws OF
the nation. When the constitution OF
the United States was formed and pro.
mulgated the election OF members Of
the National Housc Of Representa-
tives wns left with the people of the
respective States. and to be governed
by the laws Of such States. 1t was
never dreamed at that time that there
would ever be such violations OF the
rights of voters as We now ssc In
many OF the Southern States. 1t was
would come when State like Ge0r-
gia would send ten members to Con
gress by an aggregate vote oi 2S.0O0
for the whole of them, while in
Northern states 1t takes about $50 goo
y8tBrs 10 elect q similar number TO
Congress. The case is made worse
when We consider that those who do
not vote want to vote, but are AFRAID to
vote, Is anarchy, riots and murders
would ensue and the lives OF them
selves md their families would be in
danger. As it has been in Georgia go
It hss been in South Carolina, Ala
bsma, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana.
Arkansas and Texas and more or less
in all the other Southern States. The
national election law now pending in
the popular branch OF Congress is TO
insure honest elections and secure to
every voter an opportunity 10 vote, as
he now has the right, without running
the risk OF being aesasslnated. II will
not do 10 offer an excuse for this whole-
sale distranchisement in the South the
fact that those dsiiancbised are black
men and should not be permitted to
vote. They are citizens as we'll as
white men, and are entitled TO the
same rights and privileges. Blu, the
disfranchised are not all black men
There are now hundreds OF thousands
Of white Republicans In the South
} Who suffar The same disirsL 4s.spent,
and large numbers Of ther4 st .e been
assassinated at the polls while vainly
attempting to exercise the right the
franchise conlers upon them.
These men need protection as well
10 the blacks. Worse than all is the
fact THAT II either black or white men
vote the Democratic ticket they have nc
trouble in vot'ng. The political phase
OF the question has deferred action ioI
many years, and the Republican party
has put up with the outrage, hoping
that the time would come when these
rancid political feelings would veal
away aud all men would he permit: ID
10 vote free and untrammeled, as III,
constitution intended. These expecta
y ticns have not been realized, thes
hopes have been blasted. Indeed, tn
situation has become such that no Re
publican can vote In the Southern
6tates first named except at the risk G
their lives. Congress has been com
PEELED to interfere 10 the matter. Tier
was no objection 10 these States send
ing solid Democratic delegations /
Congress If fair elections were hel
and the people permitted to vote. by
that solid Democratic delegation
should be sent to Congress from State
where the people would send sol
Republican delegations if they we
permitted to vote unmolcsted, is som
thing that has been borne with long
than could have naturally been Q
pected. The pending bill is to secu
honest elections for d President al
for members of Congress only, aud
does look 10 unbiased minds that
such bill there should be no oppo,
ZION.