Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-28
A STRANGE SPECTACLE.

We have rarely seen the questions IN
volvtd In the discussion now going on
with regard to the Virginia elections law
presented 30 pithily as they are In tne
following extracts from an editorial
which appeared In the last issue OF the
Staunton indicator:
1t Is strange spectacle that Virginia
presents at this moment on the question
OF suffrage. While the whole country
even the power that placed the bahot
within reach Of the ignorant black men
OF the South. sees and deplores the ms
take: while every State in the South
containing such population u hrmy
curtailing its power for evil through inc
ballot-box: while the drift OF almost
every State IN the Union Is TO temper by
control the disaster Of an illiterate SUI
frage: while several Of 'ne Northern
States. with almost exclusively whlte
populations. have on their statute-bOoks
provisions for educational. property or
other qualification for suffrage the state
OF Virginia stands forth In the question:
able attitude OF proposing 10 make me
ballot more accessible 10 the ignorant.
Whether this unique position among neF
sister States Is one on which a Nirsinlan
may look without deep concern We leave
,,
sidering H.
The mask under which this attempt to
enlarge the ignorant black vote Of the
state IS being made T. the cry OF
fraud" IL has by Systematic plan
been so loudly and persistently used by
the political party which contains all OF
this class Of dangerous voters, that II
has even deceived men who ought TO be
above such weakness. There is no man
IN the State who will urge any objection
10 an amendment OF the election-iaw. III
the interest Of what IL called FAR count
no one will object 20 a fair representation
Of both political parties on the canvassing
board. But we al recognize from the
election-bills themselves. and from the
discussions I'm the committee thar the
real point at issue is not found m me
count but in the enabling or the igho-
rant black man TO fully ana WITHOUT
hindrance from his ignorance-the very
thing that renders him lslft TO be
vofer-tO reach the high plane or an IN
telligent sulfsagan.
We may we'll ask why al this stage OF
civilization. when intelligence in govern
ment Is more priced than ever before in
TIE. world. there should be an organized
effort in one Of the foremost Of the late
slave States. 10 facilitate the injection OF
Ignorance into a.: why. when every other
,v-slave State has either found or 10 seek
ing for some relief from this dangerous
element. this state should be willingly
bending IT. shoulders TO take more OF the
BURDEN The answer is 20 be found IA
partisanry. The demand comes from the
Republican rar.~. and f. made purely on
partisan grounds.
The Vindicator then goes on 10 argue
that with the negro the Republican party
OF Virginia b. an elephant. without II II
is mouse" and declares that this party
is a little more than a machine made use
Of by candidates al national conventions
etc. etc
The general view OF the Nndicator is
one that we ourselves have often-but
never so well-presented. II Is. indeed
strange that while nearly every other
Southern state has already eliminated or
is preparing 10 eliminate, by conautu-
tional methods its dangerous class OF
voters there are people in this State. VINO
ought TO know better. who are trying to
give that class more political power than
ever. Strange indeed.