St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1892-05-14
REFRESHING.

.
I. with the history of nations, KNOWN
that those that have ceased to ext
have all perished more by corruptio
than anything else, is bound to beliey
that no government, especially II
public, can be perpetuated unless it
! controlled by virtuous and intelliger
citizens. Citizenship in this countr
has been deteriorating ever since th
/ war; enfranchizing millions of ignc
rant people, who knew nothing of til
duties of citizenship, added to the evil
of suffrage already too expanded
Many of the colored brethren hav
learned to read and write, but the grea
mass OF them are yet in the depths 0
darkness as to the light that come
from knowledge of reading and writ
ing. Even if voter has good inten
tions, he is at the mercy of the polite
al cormorants, unless he is protected
| by knowing how to read. A totally
| ignorant brain is scarcely capable O
good intentions in regard to the duties
OF citizenship. Unfortunately the to-
tally ignorant votes, whose Ignorance
depriyes them of ambition or pride oi
integrity, see nothing in citizenship
except the mere privilege of depositing
a ballot; and this ballot, considered
entirely useless to them, they are often
too willing to exchange for quid pro
qato. When dollar is wrapped in a
ballot and handed to one of them, they
are very apt to vote that particular
ballot because it enclosed dollar,
without regard to the names on that
ballot or what principles they may
represent in government. The intelli-
gent bribe-taker is of course an unmit-
igated curse, and there is no remedy
for him except the penitentiary; and
in Louisiana this class is SO numerous
that they have evaded that place by
numerical strength and strategy.
The Republican party conferred suf-
frage on the ignorant millions that the
war freed from slavery; but it has re-
pented in sackcloth and ashes. II it
had limited the suffrage to the ex-
slaves who could read and write, re-
pentance would not have come but
the desire to grasp political power in
the South at once was too great
Human nature is not prone to ae-
knowledge an error and while It is a
act that Republican statesmen at the
North regret the existence of negro
suffrage, we have seen no expression to
hat effect in Republican papers in
his State until now, since the election
asst week. The New Orleans Republi-
'an is "dyed in the wool" Republican
PAPER 1t can never say anything too
rood OF the Republican party, nor too
Dad of the Democratic party. A recent
had the following refresh
ng editorial
From sources which seem entirely
eliable, comes information of bribery
It last Tuesdays election. Not only
n this city is it positively stated that
whole groups of negroes were induced
0 vote for the Leonard Fitzpatrick
lcket by receiving a consideration, but
n the country similar condition ex-
sted to most shameful degree. 1t is
ast becoming obvious that qualified
nd limited suffrage is absolutely ne
essary in this State, and that all elec- {
ions should be held under the protec-
ion of the Australian system. The
light of suffrage is fast becoming an {
rtlcle OF merchandise, and is placed
pom the market with about the same
agerness that the fruit vender betrays /
l.the disposal of his fruit. One thing
certain, that there is very large j
ortion of voters in this State who
ever vote unless they succeed in get
ng some mercenary consideration for
leir votes. Last Tuesday, in this
ty, it is asserted that entire gangs of +
oughs refused to vote after going to !
lie polls, because no one was found Y
llling to pay the price they asked. j
t numerous polls votes were paid for j
dollar piece, just as one buys t
sgs at 20 cent per dozen. It does not Il
em possible that good government /
IN be secured where this condition of p
fairs prevails. When it is taken in C
, consideration that nearly 40 per
mt. OF the total number of votes are :
Ilterate, unable to write their own !.
ames, and goodness knows what per .
mt. are purchasable it ought to con- .
nee any loyally-disposed person that 9 9
qualified and limited suferage is the =
lly salvation for our State govern
ent. P
How to Succeed. g