The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-02-12
THE RACE PROBLEM.
Ex-Governor Bullock, of Georgia, Gnimlg.
Considers the Case.

Considers the Case.
To tie editor OF the New York Pres;
= In your able editorial Of the 18th, "R'
; spect for Lawful. Methods" reference
r kindly made to myself by name, with
l quotation from a recent card OF min
published here, demanding that the cor
. trolling elements >in our communltle
exert themselves to prevent mob violence
Commenting upon my objection to me-
!, , federal election laws for the South, 20
! say: SHE has so far not even expresse
any willingness to sec a simple act TO
the use OF the Australian ballot refoTr
system in electing members Of the J1ous
Of Representatives placed Oh the stasut
books" etc. Permit me to say at one
that | now ''express willingness" fc
any staeute on that line that is to be pu
iversal in its application. I believe
further, that it is within the power 0
Congress to provide the manner in whicl
members of State Legislature shall
be elected when such members are to b.
called upon to select United State
/ Senator.
The power of federal authority owe
this subject has never been questioned b,
me. have doubted and still doubt tht
policy Of a Republican Congress adopt
ing. or even proposing special sectiona
legislation for the purpose Of overcoming
an alleged suppression OF the coloScc
vote Past experience should satlsf!
every one that if such an evil exists i
cannot be overcome ir Ibis way. Sacf
legislation soidifies the whites here II
indifference to the civil and poli;ica
righss OF the blacks. If the whites be-
lieve that the blacks are the specia
wards Of the nation, they will feel re-
lie7cd OF the duty resting upon them a:
citizens in their several communities tc
enforce and maintain the aegro's ciVi
and political nights. Again, preViou:
elections following efforts By Congress II
this direction have shown that the people
of the North did not favor this character
Of legislation, and the Republican ms-
jority in Congress was lost.
Believing, as I do, that the Republicaa
policy on all economic issues is best for
the prosperity and upbuildirg of this
| section OF our country, my purpose is to
do whatever is in my power to retain
that party in national control. Orc effort
in that direction is to advise against
measures that will accomplish no bese-
fetal result here, and are not approved
! by the business sentiment of the North.
l can say without egotism that my ex-
perience on these issues has been icon-
siders ole. More thar twenty years ago,
during my executive term, the Lagisla-
ture of this State decided that the negro
had no right tc hold Office, and expelled
al! its coIored members, over thirty II
number Again:t this protested to the
Legislature at the time and subsequently,
carried the case before Congress by
memorial. The result was the adoption
of the fifteenth amendment and The re-
storation of the colored men to their
seats. We have also had here the ex-
pc ience of unlimited federal authority
and federal forces at elections.
In the light of this experience, sup
plenented by observation during the
years which have intervened, I most
solemnly assure you that the only hope
for complete, perfect and willing &C
quiescence in and support Of the black
mans rights as citizen is to be found
by putting the responsibility upon and
leaving the duty entirely to the organized
communities in which he finds lis home
and earns his living. The statutes already
enacted, both State and federal, are
ample. The danger to republican insti-
tutions here, as with you, is from open
ing the ballot box to ignorance. The
"problen" is how to get clear results
from muddy sources.
Leaders of all parties have approved
the Australian ballot reform system, and
where tried in this country the expert
nent has been successful. There can be
30 good reason urged why Congress
should not provide an election law to be
used in all national elections, uniform in
all the States. But DO not attempt one
system for Georgia and another for
Massachusetts. I would 60 further in
solving the "problen," viz: that Con-
gress propose an amendment to the con-
stitution, that from and after January J.:
1900, no person shall vote in any terri
tory of the United States, or in any Stete
who cannot read the constitution OF the
United States in the English language,
and has aot paid all taxes legally re-
ouired.
Commenting upon the cowardly out
rage of whicn colo-ed men have recently
been subjected in this State and in South
Carolina, you say: "The Press would be
| more hopeful for the South if all the in
tellisence and respectabiiity of it agreed
with Ex-Governor Bullock. But such is
not the case. Private advices from Barn
well, S. c., representing the highest pos
sible sources of Southern culture and in
formation, show a tone of justification OF
the lynching and shooting.
The Press will let Ex-Governor Bullock,
Southerner and an opponent of federal
interference, answer that plea" Thanks.
do not feel called upon to answer that
plea. There is 40 justification for unlaw-
tul methods. But I AN confident you
are mistaken when you assume that the
Intelligence and respectabilisy," of the
! South de not agree with me in fa7oring
the supremacy OF the law as against moo
violence.
confidently assert that there is not a
man of that class in Georgia who will
publicly announce that he approves or
commen6s moo law. If any fsplt lies at
our door it is that the Intelligence and
rcspectability"in the.various communities
do not take concerted action to MAINTAIN
the majesty of the law. The governor
eff South Carolina has offered large re-
wards for the arrest of the inhaman
desperadoes who defed the law. The
governor OF this State has been equally
diligent, and both sta1d ready to sup
port the courts and the officers Of the
law with the militia when necessary.
What more could ''feders interferbnce'
do2 RUFUS B. BULLOCK.