The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-29
been a reduction in the number OF votes cast

been a reduction in the number OF votes cast
Mt important elections which indicates prac-
tical contempt for our electoral system.
Meantime political discussion and inter-
cal have declined ominously. for by the
disfranchisement Of the negroes sub
stantially the whole OF the political
opposition has been eliminated. An un-
divided Oligarchy being assuredly in con
troll, with no dispute Of its authority. every
election has becomea farce. All these States
are thus assured for Mr.. BRYAN. whatever
the platform he Is put upon. The political
discussion which goes IN elsewhere IN
the Union concerning the grayest I'osslbl"
questions affecting the national honor and
the welfare OF all business and industry.
no less Northern than Southern, will not
affect this solidity and this stolidity and
probably II will not awaken enough interest
to bring out at the Presidential election
more than a fraction of the voters still
remaining qualified in these States.
No people can expect intellectual progress
or even notable material Improvement
under such political conditions. Stagna-
libIli lIlVI NlN-SS, IlllLSl IbSllll, WIN lll' tOll-
sequence Of loss OF self-respect among
themselves and respect for them and con
fidence in them In the politically normal
States OF the Union The negro race has
proved itself singularly submissive, but the
presence OF eight or ten millions Of negroes,
essential to Southern material progress.
who are set apart and Disseminated against
politically. annOt be else han a disturb
ing social element and a serious obstacle TO
continued Southern advancement. A state
OF things so abnormal will tend TO impair
confidence in Southern undertakings and
keep from the South the population and
capital II needs for the development Of It's
Incompatible natural advantages,
Moreover. this wholesale acknowledgements
AZ the South introduces a political question
so paramount in its importance to the whole
Union that II must become eventually a
burning natona issue, Such inequality in
the political power exercised BY the States
more especially as Acknowledgement has
tended, 80 far. only to intensity the political
stolidity Of the South-will involve posi-
bic consequences too dangerous TO be toll
Grated.
The Columbia paper thinks the Southern
people would have been infinitely better OF
as an independent nation, but virtually they
will now be independent OF the American
political system so long rs this new concert
OF the old secession States In DISTINGUISHING
something like two-ffths Of their citizens
shall continue. The power Of the qualified
voter in those States will be twice the
power OF n voter in the rest Of the
Union and relatively to the number OF
votes actually cast 1t will be much greater
than that. These States. therefore. will
be a distinct political ~congeries, oligarch-
ical while the rest are democratic: and
In thus discriminating themselves they
will awaken prejudice and distrust obstruc-
tive OF their advancement. 1t is bad policy
and dangerous policy. Ruin would have
to the secession South il 1t had suc-
ceeded in cutting itself of from the Ameri-
oan Union. but consequences only less dire
are likely to come from its experiment
In virtually cutting itself aloof from the
equality OF the American suffrage and in de-
flying the XlVth and XVIII amendments TO
the American Constitution.