Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-06-07

other glorious (?) victory by utilizing the
''nigger" first to scare white men into
the support of a vicious movement and
then by stealing or suppresslng the negro
vote on election day. Some say the negroes
did not vote, deeming it wisest not to do
so, as they knew their ballots would be
counted for the convention. Other Demo
Gratis claim that the negroes were well
organized and voted at the election. If
so, what became of their votes ? 1t is not
likely that they would have voted for the
convention, when its avowed purpose was
to disfranchise them.
The great victory for the Democracy has
been secured by made.to-order majority,
in the cities and black counties, and over
this victory our Democratic contempora-
ries have labored to work themselves into
state of exaltation and exultation. In
their secret hearts they must be ashamed
of the whole affair. 1t is victory built on
a foundation that was corrupt, won by the
most persistent appeals of a partisan press
to the prejudices and passions Of the white
people, those of ultra Southern senti'
ment. 1t is victory that was secured by
the UNEQUAL provisions of the Act of the
Legislature, by lack of notice to the people,
and by the usual frauds in the negro coun-
ties. The Democratic press may base its
claims for it being glorious victory upon
the Jesuitical idea that "the end justifies
the means" We will be charitable enough
to think so. They may also pretend that
there is something mysterious about the
large vote for the convention in the black
counties, but the people understand it.
Those are the counties where the election
machines are in the habit of counting just
such majorities as are needed.
So much for the way in which the Dem
ocratic victory was won. Now, what will
they do with it? Will fair opportunity
be afforded the people of Virginia to select
delegates to the constitutional convention,
or will the apportionment of delegates be
80 regulated as to give the Machine abso-
LITE control of the selection, not election,
of delegates ? Already an effort is being
made to have the Governor call an extra
session of the Legislature, and to arrange
fec the election of delegates to the conven-
uon at the Presidential election in No
vembel. In discussing the time and man.
ner of election, the plan of apportionment,
etc., so far, the Democratic leaders and
press have disclosed but one purpose, and
that is the advancement of the Democratic
party. The interests of the Commonwealth
and of the masses of the people are not
worth considering by the side of the vel
fare of Democracy.
1t has been determined that the surest
way of perpetuating Democratic control is
by restricting suffrage. This has been the
declared purpose of the convention move
ment. At first it was understood that the
educational qualification was to apply to
whites as well as negroes, at least no ex-
ception was spoken of. The tear Of the
white vote caused some alarm With the
Democratic leadership and steps were
taken by the recent State convention to
create the belief that no white man should
be DISTINGUISHED on account of illiteracracy.
They now talk of adopting the Louisiana
plan, which they say will only disfranchise
negroes. How has the Louisiana plan
worked in that State? Has it succeeded in
eliminating the negro vote without sup
pressing the white vote? The recent cleo
ton in Louisiana tells tale. The regis
tered vote in the city of New Orleans in
1896 was 10000, of which number $4,000
were whites and $4,000 were negroes.
This year the registration was $4,000. Of
that number l 500 were negroes. By the
new registration the negroes lost 1850
and the whites 800. At the recent cleo
ton only 49, 900 votes were polled in New
Orleans, thus causing falling of $4,000
more on the white vote. Similar results
were found all over Louisiana under the
operations of the new constitution adopted
by that State. 1t has suppressed or dis.
franchised nearly one-half of the white
vote of the State. A similar state of affairs
is found in Mississippi, where the Constitu-
ton was claimed to have been framed SO
as to disfranchise negroes and not white
voters. Louisiana and Mississippi have
both passed to the control of oligarchies or
ofice-holders trusts, and are republican
in name only.
The advocates of new Constitution in
Virginia, who are urging the restriction of
suffrage, are moved by one considera-
ton, the desire to control State and Fed
eral elections. They believe this can be
most easily done by DISTINGUISHING large
class of citizens. They say they will
adopt the Louisiana and Mississippi plans
IL