Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-01-07
From the Index-Appeal. Jan. 2nd.]
An Appeal to Reason.

By far the most remarkable speech that
has been delivered on the subject of the
federal elections bill, either in the house of
representatives or in the senate, was that
made by Senator Wolcott, of Colorado, last
Tuesday. 1t is the more noteworthy from
the fact that the senator is republican;
that he holds the bill in question to be one
'seeking to right an undoubted violation
of law, constitutional in its scope, not un-
duly harsh in its provisions" but yet, he
adds, ''a measure which it would be
most unwise and unpatriotic to enact into
law" and it is especially significant in that
Mr.. Wolcott, rising above all considerations
of party expediency and party obligation,
bases his opposition to it upon the injury
which its enactment into law would iDflict
upon the industrial progress and the mat
erial prosperity of the south. Those pass
ages of the senator's speech which relate
particularly to this aspect of the case, we
shall quote at some length further on, be-
lieving that they will be gratefully and ap-
preciatively read by every southern man.
Before we come to that point, however,
it is worth our while to notice some portions
of the speech which refer to legal and con-
stitutiona] objections to the bill. The most
dangerous feature of the measure, in Sena-
tor Wolcott's opinion, lies in its tendency to
bring federal interference to bear upon
other than national elections, an interior
ence CONTRARY to the spirit of our institu-
tions and an obstacle to the right enjoy
ment of our liberties" To the senator's
mind ''aDy federal meddling with state
elections is intolerable." He is firmly of
the conviction that ''publio opinion is al
ways not only finally right, but finally con-
trolling, and federal surveillance only
weakens the citizens sense of responsibility
without permanently eradicating the evil"
Interesting and charmingly ingenious is
Senator Wolcott's utterance regarding the
effect which the passage of the elections
bill would be likely to have upon the for.
tunes of the southern negroes, and also his
opinion that ''there are many things more
important and vital to the welfare of the
nation than that the colored citizens Of the
south shall vote" Equally commendable is
the frankness with which he declares that
if in Colorado the Chinese vote "was OPP
posed to the united and intelligent white
vote, then in some way and by some
method, know not how, the white vote
would govern" Now we come to the con-
GLIDING part of the senator's speech; that in
which he announces his objection to the
bill because of its hurtful effect upon the
prosperity of the south. This is what he
snid:
But, Mr.. President, above and beyond all
the considerations to which have referred
there is another and weighter reason why,
in my opinion, this bill should be defeated.
For quarter of century, out from power
ty and despair, the south has been reaching
forth in effort to plant its foot on the solid
rock of material prosperity, and in view of
the marvellous growth and transformation
now taking place in the Southern States, l
believe it would be unwise and unpatriotic
for us to interfere in the conduct of its in
ternal affairs.
am not deluded by any hopes that at
any early day the men in control of it's
destinies will permit the counsels of the re-
publican party to have weight in the shap-
ing Of its future. The significant occur
rences in South Carolina during the past |
six months have shown us something of the |
tenacity of party discipline in the south.
have, say, no hope for the immediate
political regeneration of that section, but
this does not affect the question.
Slowly, but surely, and, as confidence
grows, with accelerating speed, are the
people of the southern states not only re- I
gaining their old prosperity, but are leav-
ing it far behind. Under changed condi-
tons, unused to effective labor, handicapp.
ed with countless disadvantages, they have
yet come out and up into the light They
have won the confidence of northern capital
and enlisted the aid of northern enterprise,
and there is no section throughout this
vide land that today blossoms with bright.
Or promise than the south.
The history of mankind has shown no
such wonderful growth and awakening.
And, rejoicing in the prosperity of every
portion of our common country, | am un-
willing with my vote to intrude upon that
people at this time measure which means
to them but renewal of strife aud bitter.
ness, and which is foreign to the spirit and
dangerous to the freedom of republican in
situations.