The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-04
ETCHINGS FROM
CURRENT TOPICS.


The position assumed by Mr.. w. H.
benson, in Sundays Age-Herald, in re-
gard to the proposed constitutional con-
vention is the asme held by certain
politicians in different portions OF Ala
bama, who are more deeply concerned
about the number of votes cast than
the condition OF the men who cast Them
MIR. benson will probably find that his
views are sustained by the majority OF
officeseekers in this state. But shall
tbs citizens of Alabama be forced to bear
the reproach and disgrace of the litter
acy Of a large percentage of the people
because many men who aspire to office
cater to that illit=racy in order to in
sure their election?
1t is the people of Alabama who are
demanding a hearing upon this ISSUE
and it behooves every patriot within
the borders of this .commomw: alth to
throw his and her Influence for the bet
terment of the masses. regardless of the
polithoal aspirations of any man. The
people should takeAan un squivocag stand
upon the question: and demand that the
right of suffrage shall be denied every
man, be he white or black who cannot
write his name. or read his ballot. 1t
han been suggested by an able Ala
bantam who fayors a constitutional con-
vention that five years might be allowed
THE biterate voter in which he could
learn to Rad and write. This is a gen.
erous suggestion, which should be
amended so that eighteen months can
be given for the mastering of the rudi-
ments of plain English education A
man who cannot learn to write his rams
ans1 read his ticket in year ard a half
would be>a hopeless simpleton, ard the
sooner he is deprived of the privilege of
making laws and elscting lawmakers
ror educated, intelligent Alabamians the
bstter fer the state and the people.
Mr.. benson, in his interview. Said: "Ie
a new constitution would declare that
such qualifications OF the suffrage as are
proposed should not apply to any con-
federaite or urIon soldier or their de-
scendants,- then all objections would be
removed" If the qualifications should
net apply to confederate soldiers or Their
descendants in Alabama, it would be
almost useless to enact such laws, as
the majority of the white voters of Ala
bama ana either ex-conlfederate soldiers
or their descendants. Any interest in
union sol1is RS arl their d. .Scendants is a
NEW feature in Alabama poll les ard one
that reed not play any important part
in the effort being made to improve the
condition of a state. In discussing a
newer and broader constitution for Ala
bsrnfarJ 10 will be we'll to eliminate tho
"union soldier" as factor, which is to
keep back the progress Of the State.
The fraternal sentiment which has so
fflhsd some of the oeaItions on the 26th OF
April, when THE 'sblue and the gray"
have been linl1sd like Siamese twins by
speak ens who gushed IS much over one
as the Other may be very we'll on certain
occasions, but surely There is no reason
that Alabama shall be kept thu third
from the bottom OF the list of states in
an educational way because of this re-
GENTLY aroused sentiment. If 1t had mott
been for the work OF some of the union
soldiers from 1861 to 1865 perhaps Ala
bama's educational record would mot bs
such humiliation and reproach. In
considering this matter it will rot be
necessary to provide for the illltera,e
condition of union soldiers descendants
at the eXQtILS9 OF LIn6 QUIET dHu Hioro
progressive citizens of Alabama.
Nor is 1t necessary that Alabama
should be able to poir1t to more than
"a, 900 Hibernate voters because they are
ex-corllederate soldiers or their de-cend-
ansss THE war has BEEN over more than
thirty years, and the utter ignorance CT
Cnany AlabamianS reed not be excused
because they wlere brave soldUGS or the
children of brave soldiers. Four years.
struggle for "a glorious and righteous
cause cannot be any logger given as an
excuse or reason for an inability to w1i %
ons's name. This thi ty years that have
interviewed have Furnished ample time
and opportunity for the rudiment of AN
education. The four years of war had to
bear the burden of most failures, but ihe
thirty succeeding years haN= given to the
people of Alabama opportunity to over
come most obstacles and burdens. IL
amy ex-confederate or his descendants
prefer ignorance and illgteracy 1t is time
that i1ts other ex-cor1sGeiateS aud thstr
descendants shall take the>reins in their
ipalpls and furnish an incentive that viii
induce a better st3te of affairs. Only the
people can accomplish this. They need
expect scalrit assistance from the average
office-seel1er. BALL.