The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-27

our OWN opinion is that Tie existence OF
o negro question was "a great injury TO
the cause OF sound democracy and sOund
money ID Virginia, Iu hat IL CAUSED many
men 10 look 40 further than IAls stanG-
ing source of anxiety, and 10 shut their
eyes and vote Dlndly for the party that
would down the niger Inc luan-
cial question was aOt considered by
them. i would. therefore. be OF the
greatest benefit TO the INTELLIGENT con-
sheraton a. amy poIticai oI economic
question in Virginia TO have his negro
question removed from our pOlDcdi
arena. IL is "a very difficult question to
handle, because o. It's immediate CON
ncctiOn with those who 90 not wish
to be handled, but any plan which is
honest, just, and impartial. % W0uld
meet the approval OF a. majority or the
white voters of Virginia. should be ac-
ceptabIc to al who really wish 10 remove
this disturbance from our State. WIKI
such q powerful lever as the negro vote
in the black belt gives TO the machine
politicians, who use II there, not merely
for local purposes. bat in State C0nycn-
tons. IL is not improbable that some OF
them would much prefer to leave mat
ters as they are than TO have their
representation cut down. II they wish
10 get rid Of the menace OF negro dOml-
nation. they hould appeal 10 their breth-
rem of the white districts 10 come TO
their rescue with some sort OF qualinca-
ton of suffrage. The Constitution OF
Virginia may DE amended by the concur
ring vote Of two successive Legislatures,
sustained 10y the approving vote Of the
people. and in this way IL has been
amended six times since its adoption in
July 1869. No Constitutional Convention
Is necessary. II is certainly noticeable
that this fear Of negro domination has
not been fairly met. when for so many
years the State has been practically gov
orncd by men who avow their fear OF TO-.
IL will be doubted 81 q majority a
the white people Of Virginia can be
gotten TO add any qualification 90 the
present right OF suffrage. But II "a sac
rince is necessary 10 save our civilization.
We should make II. u would have
to be shown. however, 10 the people
Of Virginia that the sacrifice is neces-
sary.
one thing IS ~certain-we are losing our
civilization under the present system.
Open fraud. defiance Of law, and con-
tempt for solemn oaths are not badges
Of a civilization Of which We can be
proud.-The Times.
We did not construe this or any part
Of the article i'm question as committing
Tho Times to the support OF an amend
ment 10 our Constitution. such ass scr-
eral other States have found 81 ncccs-
sary to adopt, and such as Alabama is
now taking measures TO adopt. 10 resu-
late the negro vote. If we erred in
this view. we humbly beg pardon. But
we submit tina we have not mistaken or
misreprosontcd The Times; and that we
are right I'm supposing il has never Of
fered US any real help in this matter.
SO it seems the Dispatch read the ar
ticle. after all. Why could it not have
said so at first?
The question now arises. Does the Dis
patch want Il 'plan which is honest.
just, and impartial. and would meet the
approval of a majority OF the white
voters Of Virginia to remove this
disturbing question from our politics? i
would seem not.