The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-30
WHAT THE REAL LEADERS OF
THOUGHT SAY.

wards elections for the past few years.
What it says, therefore, in support Of
that policy is entitled 10 great considera-
ton. for it is fairly TO be presumed to
contain the real arguments which sustain
the policy.
ON Tuesday last the Dispatch reprinted
an editorial article from the stanton
indicator upon this subject. which We
shall reprint just As it appeared in the
Dispatch. so that it may be seen fully,
without dimnution. The Dispatch said
OF the article, under its own heading,
"A Strange Spectacle" the following.
I'VE have rarely seen the questions in
Volvcd In the discussion now going OH
with regard to the Virginia elections law
presented so pithily as they are in the
following extracts from an editorial
which appeared in the last issue OF the
s aunton indicator
At the end OF the quotation the Dis
patch says: The general view of the
Vindlcator is one we ourselves have often
but never so well-presented.'
We know therefore. that the Vindca-
tors article is fully approved by the Dis
patch. and that it contains the foun-
dauons and the pillars upon which our
present election system rests. Let US see
what those foundations and pillars are.
The article is as follows:
II is a strange spectacle that Virginia
presents at this moment on the question
Of suffrage. While the whole country,
even the power that placed the ballot
.l.s 81 h.. Mt mi
of the South, sees and deplores the mis-
take: while every State in the South con-
tanning such population is firmly cur
falling its power for evil through the
hallot-boX: while the drift OF almost
every State IN the [ MON is TO temper
by control the disaster OF an illMerate SUI
frage, while several of the Northern
States. with almost exclusively white
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 the
ballot more accessible TO the ignorant.
Whether this unique position among her
sister States Us one on which Nirginan
may look without deep concern, We leave
TO those Virginia legislators who arc
considering il.
The mask under which This ATTEMPT
TO enlarge the ignorant black vote Of
the State is being made is the cry OF
fraud" It has hy a systematic plan
been so loudly and persistently used by
the political party which contains all
Of this class of dangerous voters. that il
has even deceived men who ought to be
above such weakness. There is no man
ia the state who win urge any objection
TO an amendment of the election law i'm
the interest Of what is called fair count;
no one will object to a fair representa-
ton Of both political parties on the can
vassng board. But we all recognize.
from the election bills themselves, and
from the discussions in the committee,
that the real point at issue is not found
in the count. but in the enabling Of the
ignorant black man 10 fully and without
hindrance from his ignorance-the very
thing that renders him unfit TO he
votci.-to reach the high plane OF an
intelligent sunragan.
We may well ask why, at this stage
Of civilization. when intelligence in gov
eminent is more priced than ever before
i'm the world there should be an organized
effort. I'm one Of the foremost Of the late
slave States 10 facilitate the injection OF
ignorance into il; why. when every other
eN-slave State has either found. or Is
seeking for. some relief from this danger
GUS element. this State should be willing
lv bending its shoulders 10 take more Of
the byrden2 The answer is TO he found
I'm partisanry. The demand comes from
the Republican party. and is made purely
on partisan grounds
Now observe the indicator says that
while other States have been putting
abridsmcnts upon the right OF ignorant
people to vote. Virginia stands forth in
tho questionable attitude Of prcpos-
ing 10 make the ballot more accessible 10
the ignorant" and that the mask under
which this attempt to enlarge the igno-
rant black vote Of tho state is being
made is the cry Of fraud"
We can candidly say that We recollect
no case Of such utter perversion Of argu-
mentation and putting Of tho cart before
the horse as this. Who - there that is
trying 10 make "thc ballot moro accessi-
bic TO the ignorant than the Constitution
Of Virginia makes IL? The Constitution
Of Virginia declares that every male citi-
zen above tho age of twenty-one shall be
entitled TO vote. This includes ignorant
citizens. as well as educated citizens, and
it includes all Of both classes. How could
any ore make the ballot more accessi-
bic TO the ignorant" than the Constitu-
ton makes it?
1t is true that certain manipulators of
election have made the ballot less ac-
cessiblc to the ignorant than the Consti-
tuition of the State makes IL. and less
accessible than it was for fifteen years
after the Constitution went into effect.
and that many persons in Virginia have
been earnestly striving to make this man.
date Of the Constitution the rule of the
case, rather than the jugglery of the
election managers. But now. I'm doing
this. they can be said to be making the
ballot more accessible TO the ignorant
than our fundamental law makes il. is
not easily perceived.
The aforesaid juggery. Of which the
indicator and the Dispatch appear to
approve so heartily. makes tina ballot less