The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-17
Negro Disfranchisement.

Raleigh, n c., Feb. l5-There is no
doubt that the measure intended to dis
franchise the greater number OF the
negroes of the state will pass with
votes to spare The republicans pro-
pose to offer some amendments, but
The populists have promised to aid the
democrats i'm the effort to pass the
measure, if their assistance should be
necessary.
So it goes, Throughout the north
this demo-populist party sets up its
cry of friendship to the common people.
They are the especial friends of the
working people. In tue north they are
in the minority, and promises which
there is no prospect of being called on
to fulfil, are easily made. In the south
the democratic party is in the majority
and has ample opportunity to show the
sincerity of IT'S much vaunted friend
ship fo- the common people," The
despatch from North Carolina shows
how they do it. The negro is the work.
ing man of the south, and if democracy
is sincere they have every chance in
the world to show how much they love
the laboring man. The records of
lynchings, of Jim Crow cars, of election
frauds, of wholesale disenfranchise-
ment of the masses. are among the
peculiar methods they have of showing
their affection.
This is what Their cry of the ''classes
against the masses" amounts TO when
put to the practical test. How any self
respecting northerner sprung from the
cradle of universal liberty can Join
hands with these southern cutthroats
and ballot box suffers is more than we
can understand. And still less can we
comprehend a mental process by which
such man can honestly think he is a
friend of the laboring classes. Look at
at yourself Mr.. Northern Democrat,
with one arm you embrace Dick Croker
and his gang who draw their support
from WOmen'S shame and ignUminy,
while the other hugs closely to your
breast the southern planter. reeking
with the blood of helpless blacks, an
enemy to the most sacred principles Of
our constitution. Go and get COM
posite photograph of your party. Get
all the helions of New York City; all
the thieves and thugs aud procurers
and gamblers and Crokers of that great
city. Get them in the picture, then go
through the south;have every Klu Klnx
raider sit for the portrait. take all your
southern brethren as they come from
the blazing pyre with the cries of their
victim still ringing in their ears, take
them with rifles in their hands drivl lg
citizens from the polls, add to these the
Weavers and Lyons and Films of Iowa.
put in the faces of the honest dupes of
democracy, for the party is not wholly
bad, cap the climax with the portrait
Of q man with beer mug in one hand
and his Sunday school leafiet 10 the
other, wad of tobacco in his mouth
and Temperance lecture ON his lips.
Frame the whole with the appropriate
notices Friend of thu Common Pee.
ple." Let the southern democrat bear
on his ensign mo Government With.
out the Consent of the Governed - sur.
mount it with "Cheap money is good
enough for a Cheap People" and then
look at it. And if you are part OF
that picture, if your honest face shows
up among the Crokers' and Klu Kluxs
take it. Take it out quick. Resolve to
lead a better life. Do not mix in such
bad company.