The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-06-14

-
ent quiet results in large degree
from belief that political activity
on his part would be wholly un.
succeastul-possibly detrimental
to him in some way. Notwith-
standing the formula of political
faith which he has learned and
once implicitly trusted-that all
men are eqnal--he has had such
experience as has convinced him
that he is no match for the wi tie
man in politics or in business. The
docility and pliability CT his nature
cause him to yield readily to cir
cumstances. His disposition, COM
ing down 10 him from the remotest
ages, to yield to his superiors in
place and power, has planted in
him as a part of his nature a feel
ing of dependence, which induces
a reliance on others for protection
and for guidance, and forces ODE
dlence to the counsels of those in
whom he confides. These very
qualities which produce the pres
ent quiet are the sources, under a
trusted leadership, Of political ac-
tivity. So that it is certain that
we shall have political activity on
the part of the negro whenever the
circumstances in his opinion shall
be favorable.
The one circumstance which is
likely to bring about this activity
is division Of the whites on a
measure exciting the passions and
ambitions of men, when that divis-
ion shall assume that shape in
which victory shall be deemed by
either side worthy of the supreme
efforts of the contestants.
In that case unless prevented by
the highest civic virtue an appeal
will be made to the negro vote for
success. At first this appeal if
made at all will be made by that
section of the whites who, feeling
their inferiority in numbers, are
yet strongly DESTROYS of success.
This has already happened in some
counties in Mississippi in elections
held under our local option law.
A disposition has also been noticed
in some counties to invite negroes
to participate in the Democratic
primaries without inquiry as to
their political preferences. This
action is based on the idea that
when such invitations are given
they will the more readily support
the ticket therein nominated than
the other If such an appeal shall
once be successful in general pol
tiles, then afterward the fear is
that both sides will resort to it.
This will come as a natural result
of the conditions. Many there will
be on the one side or the other,
possibly on both sides, who would
prefer not to make such an appeal.
But many Of such men may finally
acduieSCe, on that too common
ground of error and wrong, that
the appeal will be or is being made
by the other side, and the condl-
tons are such that through such
appeal the contest will be actually
decided by the ignorant colored
vote and it had better be decided
right than wrong; each side. of
course, deeming its cause right and
lust and the other wrong.
If such course be once com
menced candidates will be selected
on both sides who are deemed
most effective III securing that vote;
hence the standard by which can
ddates will be measured viii! CEASE
to be capacity, fidelity ndprobity,
but that moral and mental outfit
which is deemed most acceptable
to the negro.
The certain result of such a
course will be that all public dis
cussions and all candidates for Of
flee will degenerate to that plane
occupied by and acceptable to the
least intelligent and least virtuous
part OF the people. When public
discussions on measures Of public
policy thus degenerate the govern
ment itself necessarily falls to the
same plane. 1t will be degraded
to the level of the most ignorant.
| What such government would be
need not be described, as every
sane person can see it.
Too late it will be discovered by
the GOOD men who appeal to the