The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-01
ALL MUST STAND OR FALL TOGETHER.

ALL MUSI SthND Uh TALL IUdE nm,
The Progressive Farmer is serving the
cause of truth when it exposes those who
ignorantly or corruptly try to make the
people believe that if the constitutional
amendment is adopted the fifth section
will be declared unconstitutional and
then there will be plain educational
qualification for suffrage. A man, not
trained in the law, might without retec-
ton accept that erroneous view, but Il
study of Interpretation or Il careful con-
sideration from a common-sense stand
point would convince an unlearned man
of the fallacy of such position.
When the amendment was first sub
nitted, the Progressive Farmer fell into
the error of believing the assertions free
~ made by its opponents that section
five would be pronounced unconstltu-
tional~ 1t declared that if that conten-
ton were true it could not support the
amendment. The editor, Mr.. Clarence
f. Poe, thereupor began to study the
question for himself, and as a result of
his Investigations he became convinced
that the whole of the amendment sub
mitted would stand or fall together.
When he came to that conclusion, he
was honest enough to his readers TO state
his conclusions ard give the reasons for
his change Of opinion. 1t was a brave
and manly act, and no matter how much
one may disagree, with Mr.. Poe about
other matters. his outspoken defense o.
the truth will bring him the coninenda-
ton of men who love to applaud man
who has the courage of his convictions to
such an extent as to publicly acknoWl-
edge his mistake.
he Progressive Farmer, upon the con-
tention OF the opponents of the amend
ment, says
I'VE notice that number of our cor
respondents oppose The proposed constl-
tutlonal amendment because they fear
that the grandfather clause will be de-
clared invalid, leaving the remaining sec
educational test for both races. At first
we also held this opinion land expressed
such opinion in the Progressive Farmer
but have since carefully studied tn
question and have arrived at a different
conclusion. We are therefore anxious
to correct amy false impression which
may have been made by our first EXPIRES
sion of opinion.
1T is plain that if the people adopt
the amendment they adopt 1t as whole
grandfather clause and all. Suppose
then the Supreme Court should declare
the grandfather clause unconstitutional.
To do SO AM leave the other sections in
force would establish an educational
test for voters of both races. But would
the Supreme Court or anyone else dare
say that the people of North Carolina
had declared in favor of this educational
qualification for voters both white and
black?
let us remember that in voting on
the proposed amendment the people do
not even have an opportunity of express
Ing themselves on that question. And
if they had not at that time so much rs
had the opportunity of voting upon the
question, how could the Supreme Court
Z III Tit ifstiilt VI t1tHtB ldNs HbuPSlys VI
fairness declare that the people had
adopted such as the law of the State. as
it would necessarily be, were the grand
father clause declared unconstitutional
and the remaining sections left in force?
This statement proves the truth OF
the following assertion:
That to declare section ) unconstitu-
tional, leaving the remaining sections in
force, would establish as the supreme
law of the State that which the people
who make all constitutions, will have
neither adopted nor voted upon.
1.-The writer is not a lawyer, but he is
convinced that to do this would be to
violate the most common and sacred
principles of Law and government
I'VE wish to make this matter plain
The constitutional amendment deserves
the careful. unbiased and serious cen
sideration of every voter and as it is 50
grave and weighty a problem the people
Of al parties should frown down all at
tempts at deception and all efforts Il
aro prejudice and passion in its con
sideration. 1t is a serious question to be
seriously considered. And the peopl,
should study it this year-not delay its
consideration Until the campaign cf 1900
with all its heat and confusion is upol
u.s.