The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-14
UNEDUCATED WHITES KNOW
HOW TO XOTE

UNEDUCATED WHITES KNOW
HOW TO VOTE.
The wise mem i'll our last Legislature
who framed the proposed amendment
to our Constitution saw that the origin
of our political troubles lay i'll the
fact that there were entirely too many
vicious and ignorant voters. They
saw that these voters were the easy
victims of the lowest class of unscll-
pul0us demagOgues, and that, as a rule,
the best men in the Republican party
were ignored by them.
So they set themselves the task Of
purifying our ballot box The amend
ment proposed shows their wisdom ana
their craftsmanship.
The fifth section of this amendment
provides that no male person, who on
the lst day of January, 1867, or at any
time prior thereto, was entitled to
vote under the laws of any State In
the United States, wherein he then
resided, and no lineal descendant OF
such person shall be denied the right
to vote by reason of his failure to
possess the educational qualification.
This is as it should be. The men
who voted in 1867, and the sons of
these men, came from a long line of
voters. Whether they can read or not
they know how to vote. And these
men are generally honest, virtuous,
and patriotic. Many of them who can
not read have made for their wives
and children comfortable homes. They
cheerfully pay their taxes to ssupporc
the government which protects their
rights. They listen attentively to
public speakers on State and national
issues, and they talk over these mat
tiers with better informed neighbors and
friends.
They want to vote for the best inter
est of their country, and, as a rule.
will do so in spite of the oily tongue
of the demagogue
The hereditary descent of love of
country is easily traced in many of this
class.
Oh, there is vast difference be-
tween the white man who cannot
read and the iliterate negro. The
white North Carolinian has been train
ed IN political economy by the close to1ch
of q patriot father. These unIettered
white men are the sons of men who
stood before the Grand Army of the
Republic for four long YEARS and
taught the world how to fight. They
followed Lee and Jackson through the
Chickahominy and the Wilderness.
and marched with unwavering step up
TO the loaded lannon's mouth at Mai
vern Hill, and We're not afraid at Gettys-
burg. And these were the sons of those
heroes who died with yictory's shouts AT
Guilford Court House. Ramseur's Mill.
and of those sylvan warriors who ciimA
ed the rugged sides of Kings Mountain
and shot Ferguson and his army 10
death
Yes. these men know how to vote.
and this amendment to our Constitution
proposes to let them vote.
No man who is devoted to the best
interest of the people of North Caro-
lima. can consistently vote against the
proposed amendment to our Constitu-
ton. The provisions Of that amend
ment look to the advancement of our
people along all lines. Even the ne
gro, who cannot read, and who does
not know how to vote, will be greatly
benefited by the ratification of this
amendment. He has hitherto been the
unsuspecting victim of the most unscru-
pulous class of white men in the be-
st0wment of his ballot, and rs a re-
suit he has lost the sympathy and
help of those who have been able and
willing to aid him i'll all lawful ways.