The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-14
Wednesday, Nov. IA, 1894.
Disfranchfsing the Negro.

The Reformers seem to be impressed WIN
the idea that the constitutional convention
can dIsfranchise the negro because OF iach VI
educational or property qualification Will
ont disfranchising white men for the same
reason. The XIV Article Of the Constitution
of the United States reads thus:
..rh. -,.bt NJ citizens of the United States
N vote shall not be denied or abridged oy tne
limited States or by any state on accouns ~
race color or previous condition Oh serVl-
tude."
n all illiterate persons, and all men VINO
own not the required amount Of property are
excluded from the polls. our representation
in Congress will be reduced. Article XIV o'
the Constitution of the United States, among
other things. says:
Sec |. All persons born or naturaiizeua ~ ~
the United States. and subject 70 tne l,staS
lion thereof are citizens OF the Onltea S'"tS1 NJ
and of the State wherein they reside. ico mo
State shall make or enforce any law ,s,n Wn,cn u,
Shai1 ahridpe the privileges or immunities OF
citizens of the United States; nor shalt any ~
State deprive any person OF ~ i,les tsw wc1 noy de-
pv po anv person within It's jurisdiction the
equal protection OF the laws. :, -, ,,,o-,,on.
Sec. 8 Representatives snail oe apPol tno tlou a.
ed among the several STATES accosurbs hee Le pnm.
her of persons In each State, excindlng IN,
dians not taxed but when the tight 10 Vose e
at any election for the choice OF EecG9Ts w., ioa
presIIenf and Vice President or the Onlteo
States Representatives in Congress. the exec
ntive and judicial officers OF State, or tas
members OF the Legislature thereon, ls oenieo
to any of the male inhaoltanCs VI eI o,iizsns ~,
Seine twenty.one years Of age and clIZens o.
the United States, or in any way aDridgeo; ea, eS
cent for participation In reoeliion ., osnS, o;n
crime. the basis OF representation tnSlI,n gu
shall be reduced in the ProposuShn Shai m hear T te
the whole number Of male c1tlzens t"entS
one years Of age In such STATE.
with these extracts from the Constltutlou
of the United States confronting them' IL VIII
be hard for members of the convention
frame their law so as to not cut both ways
They will not forget that these people, Wnlt'
ond h,sok. are citizens Of the United States
as we'll ss of the State, and that Congress nal
full power to protect citizens OF tne ohi'e'
States.
About electing congressman Inc consIi'u
tlon among other things, says:
1.-THE times, places, and manner OF noia!nl i,,a
elections for Senator'S ana sts;p Yep hv the iee
islature thereof; but the Congress mdy az a.,5 a1
tsnae bv laD make or alter such re0utdttonS, eA
cept as to places OF choosing Senator'S
So T. ia seen that II we disfranchise any COD
adorable number of our people, for any caus'
whatever, we will reduce our represent tatioi
IN congress; and II that reduction is not aon'
in a way acceptable to Congress the Coheres
may regulate the elections for Congress
man, regardless of the effort which we may
make to disfranchise the citizen as far as I'M
state elections are concerned. The eiecton
a Congressman Is Federal election Oh WHICH
congress has the right to take charge.