The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-26
SHALL THE NEGRO BE DISFRAN-
CHlSIDp

marks I'm these columns with reference
70 the Virginia election law. and the con-
tests ia Congress that are constantly
growing up out Of it, The Montgomery
Advertiser. "A sound Democratic paper and
2. very conservative contemporary, re-
PRODUCES The Times remarks with these
comments.
The same situation exists In Alabama
There are two districts from when con-
tests are pretty sure to be nied' anu my
are likely TO be considered by the re
publican House with more or less laFol
ON account of the census figures, ana
because contests from them have been
made before
Such facts should have an important
bearing upon the consideration OF the
question of ordering a constitutional con-
Vcntion. The existing order OF things III
some of our counties must be brought 20
an end and only "A change IN the or
ganic law can bring about permanent
safe change. Temporary expedients have
been tried sufficiently, here and else
where.
There are arguments. OF course against
a constitutional convention ior theie are
always two sides to questions but we are
sure the weight Of argument is on the
side of Alabama's acting in the matter
once and for all II has been put or
long time. from one cause and another
hut the logic of events in and out OF the
state. in the past and in the present
point TO early action as the wisest thlhg
The Times has heretofore fought the
nroposition TO hold a constitutional con-
yention in Virginia. We were opposed
and but for resistless reasons for the
sacrifice. would now be opposed to dis
franchising any whites of Virginia, now
allowed to vote, for we believe in man
hood suffrage for white men. We had
hoped and believed that the dangers OF
negro rule in any part Of this State as
well as the debasing and coTupting in
nuence Of frauds and perjuries In cleo
tons could be averted without any
changes Of our constitution.
But in the light OF recent developments
I'm North Carolina we have modified our
views and we have come TO the conclu-
sion that some Of the whites must make
a sacrifice for the general good. Negro
rule in the South is simply out Of the
question and any attempt 10 enforce il
means revolution. The whites are going
20 prevent It either by force of arms,
which is bad enough, or by ballot box
stuhing which is far worse.
Either is demoraIzing and revolution
airy, and it is better for all interests con-
cerned for whites and blacks. and espec-
10. ..f no lftsTuT NftfI-
wealth that the ignorant and thriftless
negro vote be eliminated by law even
though some whites are also deprived Of
their votes. But We are opposed TO all
sorts Of trickery and jugglery in dealing
with this question. We believe in meet
ing the question squarely and fairly and
honestly. If a change must be made let
us have an educational and property
qualification. let it be applied honestly
and fairly to all classes of citizens, and
under that provision let every man. black
as well as white. vote who is legally en-
titled to vote. let him vote without intim-
idation and let his ballot be honestly re-
turned The Times is first Of all for an
honest ballot knowing that that lies al
the foundation Of all constitutional soy
eminent.
In this connection the following s.gLi-
hcant utterance is from the New York
sun. an administration Republican paper:
The North Carolina race conflict has
aroused a strong sentiment IN those
States of what is known as the black
belt which have not already adopted
methods OF excluding the negroes from
the suffrage in favor OF proceeding
promptly TO make similar constitutional
changes 10 produce the result. "Abso-
lutte protection against the possible DAN
ger of negro rule as says the New Or
leans Democrat, has been secured
thus In Mississippi, South Carolina ana
Louisiana but Georgia Alabama ana
Virginia are three other States in more
or less political danger. in the event Of
division OF the whites.
In Georgia a movement has already
been started toward calling a cOnNen-
ton for the purpose of changing the
suffrage clauses OF the present constitu-
ton. with a view of shutting out the
bulk of the negro vote As there Is TO
opposition to it, the New Orleans journal
seems TO be justified in predicting, with
absolute certainty lIAl inc NHdlSc WIZ
be made at just as early a day as II can
be done" A bfll Is 10 be offered ~ the
Alabama Legislature. now in Session, call
Ing for a constitutional convention, tie
purpose of which will DE TO eX-
tend the method TO that State I'VE shall
be recreant TO our duty il We tenporize
with conditions that are pregnant win
evil" said the Governor Ia his message
TO the Legislature. Virginia, then. Will
soon be the only State in which the
negro vote can play an important part"
and when it has been eliminated there
"the negro question will have disappeared
altogether from Southern politics"
IT CANNOT BE DOUBTED THAT
WITH SUCH \ DISAPPEARANCE
WOULD COME A GREAT GAIN TO
POLITICS, AND CONSE-
QUENTLY TO AMERICAN POLITICS
GENERALLY. Normal political division
and discussion would succeed the dull
which has made a solid
South" of the secession States and en-
dangered the political welfare OF the
whole number OF States. for all the parts
of this republic are interdependent. and
such a condition as has existed in those
particular States has involved injustice,
and even peril. for the rest Of the Union.
IL is a morbid political situation.
II however the States of the black
belt unite In practically DISTINGUISHING
the negroes how Is II to be about their
in Congress and in the
electoral voter Are they to be left free