The age-herald., 1899-05-03


 for the overthrow of the present consttu- tion except that some convention or com mittee has so decreed.
 The extremities to which the advocates of a constitutional convention are driven is shown by the fact that they are unwill- ing to trust even the members of their own party to cast an unshackled vote on the question.
 A cause that must be sustained by the denunciation of those opposing it, and the intimida tion of the weak and the ambitious, is one that should go down in dishonored defeat.
 If the white democrats of Alabama can not be trusted to vote intelligently and correctly upon any question without dcta- tion or threats of the party lash, it seems a solemn mockery to discuss the question of disfranchising negroes. No disfran- chisement can be more galling or humili- ating, more subsersive of real manhood than to permit a man to cast a ballot and then command him how it shall@be cast.
 strust of the People
 Some apprehension has been expressed that I am unwilling to trust the people, It comes with an i'll grace from those wh are unwilling to trust their own part without binding them hand and foot. The trouble is, that the people are not willing to trust the politicians and prefer to at tend to their own business.
 Begotten in Defamation
 The kind of a constitution we are liable to get if the members of the convention are to be influenced by those now leading the movement and by the newspapers which, mstaking abuse for argument, are pouring out the vials of their wrath in shameful denunciation of all opposing their ideas, can be better imagined than described convention begotton by in tolerance and defamation can hardly be fruitful in good results.
 White Supremacy
 Under the pledges given in the platform adopted it is claimed by the advocates or the convention that the main question to. be considered Is an amendment that will secure white supremacy, that no time should be lost, but the greatest haste be taken to accomplish this I suppose there are few thoughtless cit zens, white or black, who do not believe that some change should be made in this direction. The necessity for hot haste, haste that will not permit any reflection, it not apparent White supremacy is as complete and all pervading today throughout the jurisdic- ton and domain of our state as it is possible to be. There Is not a negro in all the commonwealth holding an office under the present constitution, not justice of the peace not a constable, nor a single member of the general assembly, nor has there been one for nearly a generation. why Hot Haste
 All the officials and the members of the general assembly from the black belt hold unolouded titles to their offices. Most or them received every vote that was cast Tn their several counties and districts and have the confidence and respect of their constituents, black and white; so 1t is with our congressman. What necessity demands an expedition that will necessarily involve a large expense to the people and threatens to stir up passion and prejudice. discord and dissension, is not apparent.
 Retreat of It's Advocates
 The advocates of convention have re- treated from one position to another until they are now fighting behind the last brea stWorks of defense-the party issue When the bill was passed it was claimed that the convention method was the best, because it was absurd to submit to those to be fisfranchised an amendment dis- franchising them that a constitution need not be submitted; that many charges were needed that the judiciary system needed revision; that local taxation should be had for schools; and the act directed and commanded that the limit of taxation in our greatest and most progressive city should be increased to $1.25 on the $1O0 cf property for municipal purposes If the pledges made are kept according to their spirit then practically every contention has been abandoned, except possibly the in- creased tax named above, and any consti- tuition framed with a disfranchising clause is to be submitted to the electors to he disfranchised for ratification
 The suffrage
 Il If seems to me that the franchise can be settled with less friction and more certainty and security by plain amendment that tbe neopIe can understand and vote upon intelligently than by the framing of a new constitution. If any material changes be made in the constitution in any other re- spect and immaterial ones should not be considered, then every elector opposed to any one of the changes made would vote against the whole instrument, whereas simple and plain suffrage amendment would command not only the intelligent and un- coerced vote of every democrat, but of nractically all the white and many intelli- eent colored voters in the state
 Why should a method be adopted that has scartainlv aroused serious opposition in the democratic ranks and the complete an- faronism of all other parties when the sat,,e result can be obtained without fric- lion, Why should not all the friends of cleaner and better and safer franchise be united in one harmonious phalanx instead of courting disaster.
 What other provisions of our constitution are at this time expressing the people or retarding the growth of the state? Not ofle has been pointed out by the advocates