The Iola register., 1900-10-26
How Shall We Vote

How Shall We Vote
Art. XIV Cons. U. 5. Sec. |. All per-
sons born or naturalized in the .
United States and subject to the juris-
diction thereof and of the State |
wherein they reside are citizens of the !
United States and of the State where
in they reside.
No State shall make or inforce any |
law whichshall abridge the privileges |
or immunities of citizens of the |
United States, etc.
Sec. .. Representatives shall be |
apportioned among the several states |
according to their respective members
counting the whole number of persons
in each State excluding Indians not
taxed. But when the right to vote at
any election for the choice of electors
of President and Vice-President of the
United States, representatives in
Congress, the executive or judicial
officers of a state or the members of
the legislature thereof, is denied to
any of the male Inhabitants of such
state. being twentyJne years of age
and citizens of the United States, or
in any way abridged except for parti-
cipation in rebellion or other crime,
shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of male citizens
shall bear to the wholenumber of male
citizens twenty-one years OF age in
such state
Art. 10. Sec. /. The rights of citi-
zens of the United States TO vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the
United States, or by any state on ac-
of ,.,lA,,
dition of servitude.
Now Mr.. Editor,
When we observe the vote cast in
number Of the states of this Union,
notably, South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Miss
issippi and Arkansas, we can but
conclude that the above provisions of
the constitution have been grossly,
/ intentionally, wilully and perss-
teutly violated. This violation has
/ given the few in those states an un-
just as well as unequal right i'm tn
Electoral College, and as manifestly
an unfair advantage in the halls of
| legislation. Do honest men, honest
Democrats as well as honest Republi-
cans, desire by their vote to uphold
such nefarious political practices in
this Union longer? Have not these
unjust conditions existed long enough?
Shall we 20 to the polls in November
and in any manner irectly or. in
directly cast vote to influence the
continuing of such conditions?
Think we'll, consider carefully,
when you enter your booth to prepare
your ballot, Do not forget that all
the duties of an American Citizen,
loyalty to right, loyalty to Justice
and the patriotic duty, creating ano
maintaining good and benefcent gov
ernment, goes with the ballot. Knowing
of no such denying the right of suf'
frage in any state under Republican
sway, is it not just to conclude thai
Republicans do not endorse such poll
tical conduct? Is it not also fair tC
presume that when states under Demo
cratic control tolerate such practices
Democrats must be held responsible
for the result? Then would it be wise
would it be iudicious, would a man b'
loyal to free American institutions tC
cast his vote for anyone who "an il
, any way aid or encourage such dis
franchising?
If these questions are answered il
the affirmative would voter be tru
to his convictions of right, be true tC
his idea of loyalty to American princi
pies to vote for a democratic legisla
tor, congressman, or elector? Tn
. first has to take partin votin g, first
for United States Senator, Second
the law apportioning the vote of thi
state among the number of Congress
. man assigned to Kansas under th
census of 1900 and the redistrictini
the state into Congressional districts
and third, for general state Legislation
looking into the betterment of labo
conditions, the enforcement of statuar
law, and the general welfare of tn
people. The second will have to dowit
Z making such laws as VIII guarants
quail rights to all American citizens