Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-30

3ATURDAY. MARCH 80. 1893.
The sou,h Carolina "Iaea."

The south Carolina "Iden."
Some years ago. when contentious Re
publican speeches and journals were rife
with charges that the negroes OF the
South were forced TO vote the Democratic
ticket on pain of persecution or OF not
being allowed 10 vote at all. the New
York Tribune sent "A discreet reporter 10
Georgia to learn the facts for himself
This newspaper man was determined TO
ascertain the truth Of the matter. and so
when he reached Georgia he hired little
boat. took a faithful Republican negro
with him, went out into the middle OF
the river. and then and there explained
his errand In Georgia.
He told the Intelligent colored voter
that the northern Republicans. who. he
knew. were the negros friends, were bent
upon learning the true state OF the case:
that he was then where no man. south
ern or northern. could hear what he
might say to the reporter, and, there
fore. he might freely unbosom himself II
there was aught which he wished the
northern people TO know. Tell me" said
Democrats allow the colored men TO
voter" "Oh. yes. boss" was the reply;
''they let's us vote all day. but dey counts
ct night"
Sambo's short speech to the Tribune man
Deems 10 us 10 embody what the Charles
ton News and Courier speaks OF as
1.-THE real idea Of the South Carolinians
no
hnd black. 10 vote upon the question OF
tatifying a new constitution. but TO per-
init no votes 10 be counted which may
be cast against the ConstitutiOn-that is.
if $500 votes are cast for 1t.
How the proponents Of this new kind
OF minority representation make IL mp
pear to consist with the 18th and 18th
articles of amendment to the Federal
Constitution we do not know. The
FORMER article declares that all persons
born or naturalized in the United States.
Ind subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
pre- citizens OF the United States The
latter article provides that the right OF
ritizens OF the United States to
rote shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or any State
pn account Of race, color. or previous
rendition OF servitude. 1t seems reason
pSle 10 suppose that the counting of the
Votes was n part OF the right to vo>c
which the 18th amendment was intended
TO secure 10 all citizens of the United
States without distinction as to race. But
In South Carolina a more liberal con-
struction Of that amendment Is said TO
obtain. and our friends there hold that
o mans vote may be lawfully made to
count for nothing II IT is cast against the
ratification OF "a constitution which g. 900
voters vote to ratify.
We do not forget that there are as good
constitutional lawyers In South Carolina
Ms there are in Virginia. and so We are
not going 10 assume that the South Caro-
LIMA idea is preposterous. and no,
worthy Of a moments consideration
though We suppose that such will be the
contention OF most Of its opponents. Re-
duced to its lowest terms. the Idea" Is
that though citizen OF the United States
cannot be denied the right to- vote on ac-
rount OF race. he may be denied the
right TO have his vote counted II 100
men vote 10 ratify u constitution
which he votes against ratifying. We
puote again the Charleston News's Ian.
guage:
There Is no difficulty in understanding
now just what Is proposed. 1t Is tina
the convention shall frame a constitution
which is to become effective II $500
white voters vote for it-'regardless Of
the action OF the colored voters That is
20 say. again. II 65.oO0 white voters vot,
for 1t, and 5000 OF the 10000 colored
voters, or 5000 colored voters and 15.O0t
white voters vote against 1t. making ar
adverse majority OF 1900 or $4,000. 1t 1.
10 become effective despite such adverse
vote"
We shall watch with interest the pro.
Vress Of this scheme.