New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-01
THE QUESTION or STFFRAGE.


ave. the white men in South Carolina Will
either rule that state or leave it, and we rcver-
entity swear that we will moi leave it," such
is the solemn declaration of Mr. liemphiil' a
Democrat of South Carolina, who pcrceiVes mat
living is Improbable. " Massachusetts mas
purged herself Of the sin of dishonest cleo
tons" said another speaker land why not
leave South Carolina to do the same" The
question is answered by Mr.. llemphill's dec
laration. The minority openly avowS that 1t
will not let the people of South Carolina have
any chance 70 terminate dishonest elections.
In some other States, whore the people have
any chance. they have enacted effective laws
TO prevent fraud and crime. In South Carolina
they have not. as in Ncw-JerScy they have not
BE the crime where it may, the duty OF the
Government is to stop it.
"No" say a few who are afraid of their own
convictions let Us not be accused OF par
tisanship. or charged with creating host OF
new officials. and mourning largely increased
expenses" In 1868 there were persons OF
about the same courage. They were afraid 10
vote for prosecution of the war because traitors
said il was a partisan war, and because 1t cost
money Iniamy has followed into their graves
the men who had not patriotism or courage
enough to accept some perS NAL abuse and risk
for the cause of free government. Is not the
timid avoidance of duty equally deserving of
consure now? If it be a duty at all TO protect
the purity of the balot-bOX, 10 defend the pco-
pie in the right of suffrage, then that Is a duty
50 sacred that no man can be excused tor
neglccting it on account OF personal con
veniencc, or personal or partisan risks
Is it Such duty? THE TRIBUNE does not
find the Constitution declaring That over, body
shall leave each State TO guarantee 10 lis people
republican form of government or not as
NAV happen. The Constitution requires that
the United states shall guarantee 10 each state
a republican form of GOV eminent. HE 1RIR-
CNE does not find the Constitution leaving 10
the States the enforcement of United states
laws. The Constitution requires the United
states u enforce its laws. Neither does the
Constitution leave 10 each state exclusively the
duty Of making laws 10 govern the election
Of members of Congress. 1t expressly provides
that Congress whenever occasion arises shall
make such laws, and with the power goes the
duty To do so, if laws satisfactory in their
workings have not been made and enforced
by the states.
What i, it that Mir. IIemphill and the white
Democrats Of south Carolina now have 20 say?
They are the minority. and do not dispute II.
The Constitution SAYS the majority shall rule.
But Mr.. Ilemphill and the white Democrats de-
clare that they will rule, Constitution or no
Constitution. and reycrenty take an oath 10
that effect. What is this but nulitcaion
again? The laws Of the United states shall
be obcvod. if it please, the white Democrat, to
I I'll. q
ton shall be obcyed provided it suffers
minority 10 rule majority Otherwise the Con-
stitution must be set aside. There would seem
to be some reason for believing that the lessons
| Of 1868 may have 10 be learned over again. II
there many persons aS rchclIious as tins
Representative. The same men who called II
tyranny 10 enforce laws OF the United States IN
1861 are now raying about the tyranny of
giving suffrage TO colOrcd men. But j. II less
clearly a duty now than 1t was then 10 take
care that the Constitution and laws shall be
| obcycd and u make all necessary sacrifices
and take all necessary risks 20 that end?
And now Mr.. Ilcmpbill and his Northern
| allies and instruments want 10 excite public
opinion here in hostility to the act proposed.
| They take care not to tell the truth about II.
| They represent that Congress is disposed 10
| rovolntionizc the Government, because IT thinks
Of stopping the election Of Congressman hy
! fraud and crime. They ask Northern citizens
| 10 protest against what every decent Northern
| citizen DESIRES Il measure TO secure a far vote
| and an honest count. But men of the North
will think twice before they viii consent 10
| be used as apologistS for South Carolina nullili-
cation They will want 10 know hy what legal
process, if any, Mr.. Ilcmphill proposes TO wipe
out the Constitution and laws Of the United
States before they give him any "Ountcnance
| or support.