The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-10

true and some very sad things. Having
reviewed the condition OF citizenship In
cities in that State. and called attention
TO points In which Georgia reflects the
condition OF things in other States, he
said of the colorcd vote:
VERY few negroes ever vote from mo-
lives Of sentiment or principle. Nothing
but tangible remuneration ever moves
them in national, State or municipal
elections. They are patriotic for revenue
only
''The negro's vote Is bought vote. and
II Is folly 10 reckon any other way. True
his body is 10 longer for sale, but ms
franchise has never ceased TO be chtt-
tel.
MANY great men consider the enfran-
chisement OF the negro as the most stu
pendous mistake OF our Government.
Ignorant slaves were given their freedom
and the ballot at the same time, and IL
was but natural that they should use
their ballots blindy.
This brought ON that horrible civil
nightmare known as 'carpet-bag rule,
which was almost as DISASTROUS as the
war To overthrow this rule the white
people banded together, and where fair
means failed they tricked the negro or
openly bribcd him. Under the same
sophistry. that the end justihes the
means. they committed acts that before
the war would have dsgraced and ban
ished them from their homes.
This lowered public sentiment TO the
point where It would tolerate fraud and
trickery, and 1t IS small wonder that
gradually our best statesmen were sup
planted by the creeping In OF rascals,
tools-in short. the politicians.
From tricking the negro they began
trucking each other until as natural Sc
qncnce disreputable methods begot dis
reputable candidates. who, after getting
into office, sought TO entrench themselves
by forming rings.
These rings, by the law Of affinity.
combined the liquor element, the ignorant
foreigner, and tho negro and managed TO
SO nullify the vote OF the decent element
that the business man became disguised
with himself for wasting the time It took
TO cast ballot.
1T Is positively painful TO note the per-
pleXity OF our young men as they realize
the facts. In schools and churches they
have been taught the value Of truth and
religion. but in practical politics they
have seen the problem worked out in
something Ike this way:
"A foreigner, perhaps a criminal. comes
10 this country, and by endearing himself
10 some political boss Is made a police
man. by levying blackmail. I'm few
years he accumuates enough to open a
bar-room, and in due course OF time, by
contributing enough TO the machine, he
is elected councilman. From that day ne
IS published as Honorable Mr.. sU-and-So,
one OF our most prominent. public-spir-
tied. and patriotic citizens
"Thus a young man with laudable
outtf TO- Tor
he must serve the ring or remain in pri-
vate life. and 70 Join the church in earn
est is tantamount TO committing political
suicide.
HONEST PUBLIC OPINION.
although l have thus stated the facts
candidly, yet after the worst is said, I
believe Georgia 10 be less affected than
any of her sisters.
"She has, perhaps the greatest per-
centage OF old-stock Americans. Of revo-
lutionary ancestry to be found in any
State. True. we have those warts known
as rings: true. her citizenship is prone to
be tolerant and Indifferent. but underly-
ing all we have public opinion that be-
lieves In morality. religion. and liberty.
The rings dare not purposely arouse this
sentiment. for when aroused II stalks
abroad with leonine force and fury"
All Of this IS admirably said. and most
OF It is true. No greater crime has ever
been committed than comforting the s'If-
fraCe upon the whole mass Of our igno-
rant negroes. 1t has produced the whole
sale public debauchery that prevails to-
day all over the South, and no man can
foresee where its Influence will end. Flu
ture peace and order I'm this country de-
mand that the fifteenth amendment shall
be repealed and regulation Of the suf-
frage left TO the States. Then measures
will be adopted to allow negroes TO be-
come voters as they qualify themselves
for the exercise of the suffrage. and the
terrible nightmare that hangs over the
South will be driven away and we shall
have peace and contentment for negro
and white alike, but never dntil then.