The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-26
r>sI.rrRrssED VOTES.

In recent issue the Fmladelphla I'I'-
Graph. journal distinguished for ITS gem
cral msderation. although published IN "
RenulJican stronghold. calls attentonto the
ustice OF the claim so often advanced py
southern Democrats. that the smalihess I'll
the negro vote i'm so many parts oil the
southern states. is due. not 10 intimidation
Inv tbe whites. but 10 the indifference of the
NEGROES themselves TO the right OF suffrage
The same condition Of affairs, 1t points Out
very forcibly, is to be observed Throughout
the Now England states where at least iopcr
cent. of the population, entitled to take p'fl
in the elections, remain at home under the
influence Of precisely the same feelings as
those that control the conductofthc southern
negroes. II would be Just as proper, the Iele-
oraph declares. for the Republican party To-
make provision for bringing ont and count
inc MI those who have the right 90 vote DID,
the New England Commonwealth as p
provide for the same thing in the equally
orderly Commonwcalths of the South.
To all who are acquainted with the cir
cumstances of the political situation in Tic
southern states il is very well known that
a large proportion Of urcolorcd population
especially i'm congressional elections. refuse
10 20 10 the polls, not because they are
afraid that their votes will be- suppressed,
bur because they have lost their interest ln
the exercise Of the right of suffrage. And
if is a fortunate thing that they have, iol
wherever i'm the Southern states the ntgI'
has thriycn in an unusual degree his pros
peritv has been principally due % his good
sense in declining to take am active part
in political affairs, local or national
| No where has this been more notable than
i'm the state Of Georgia, in which Common
wealth the Democrats have held the rein'
Of power without opposition, and where tho
negroes have refrained either from voting at
all, or from voting contrary to THEN owl
interests and the interests Of the commu
nifty as a whole.
The explanation of tine Southern negroes
indifference to the suffrage unless very
much aroused by unusual circumstances
is not far to seek. The most powerful mo-
tive that has influenced him in voting ha'
either been apprehension lest the privileges
Of freedom which he enjoyed. would be cur
tailed by the triumph of tine Democrat,
party. or the fact that he was completely
under the control of white leaders who
were striving TO advance themselves p>
every means, however INSCRIPTIONS. Tho
election of Cleveland dispellcd the delu,ior
Of the Southern negro that he would Dc re
duced in the event of a national Democratic
success, either wholly or partially, To Ai'
former condition as slave. ON the other
hand. the possession of the local govern
mints Of the Southern States by the whites
for a long period, has weakened the inilu
encc Of the local Republican leaders upon
the masses of the negroes. I'm consequence.
of these facts, the colored voters have grown
less and less disposed to exercise the suf
frage.
AstH greater decline in thenumberyOtm-
may be expected if the Force hill fails 70
become a law, for every year would with
draw a larger body of colorcd voters from
all participation whatever in the affairs o
political life. the Election bin is passed
and is at once put in operation, that ten
dency to withdraw from politics now OBJ
served among the southern negroes, viii
undergo change under the personal in
nuence Of the new brood Of scalawags and
carpet-baggers. whom such law would call
almost Immediately into existence. Al
present what the Republican party imor
antly or designedly terms the Suppressed
vote" of the Southern states. is really the
unsurpassed vote, theyote that consciously
and not unwisely refuses to give itself eN
preston though practically free from all
coercion.