The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-17
JUSTICE ONLY.
Constitution Should Be Enforced in a
Spirit of Equity.


To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
That pleasant interview between Presi-
dent Mckinley and Senators Daniel and
Martin and Representatives Otey and
Swanson, of Virginia reported in the
Journal some days ago, has a very curious
aspect. and at the same time a rather dis
quoting one. when one comes to look re-
fectively at It. The gentlemen from Vir-
ginia had called in a formal way, merely
to pay their respects. They are studying
a contemplated change in the Constitution
OF their State, with the avowed purpose to
disfranchise a large percentage of its citi-
zens. They did not refer to that in the
presence of the President, however, plain
ly because they did not in the least care
for what he might think about it. But he,
out of his solicitude as a host, 1T would
seem, very properly wishing to make his
guests feel comfortable in their minds. took
the occasion to assure them that he did
not approve OF any purpose to enforce that
provision of the Constitution of the United
States designed expressly to meet such an
eAlgency as that upon which they were
engaged, at which statement from him they
We're very naturally gratified."
Ihere is now no means available to pre-
NNAN tiC Ntnc States from OuIlaW1ng a
percentage of their people, and this the
constitution clearly recognizes. More
frightful folly on their part is not con-
ceivable. for nothing can be more danger
Gus In a state than an outlawed class. But
the penalty prescribed by the Constitution
for such action on their part is mandatory.
anu any act by any body or person in dis
regard or annuiment of IL is void. Or so
II must seem from the accepted meanings
or English words, though, of course. ONLY
a very learned lawyer can know anything
about constitutional law, and even he must
hrst Know what particular construction his
clients needs require.
Now, IL this view be correct, and neither
Chairman Hopkins. nor President McKin-
ley; nor the Congress. nor any power
United States themselves. nave anv an
thority 10 suspend a mandatory clause of
the Constitution in behalf OF any body.
tnen TINS complacent attitude of our Re
! publican administration touching the four
teenth amendment becomes, when given
fuli effect to its practical notification.
dangerous beyond any possibility of over
statement. To the Nation at large, in that
another administration may nullify an
otner clause, and another another. and so
on until our Constitution shall have be-
come OF no more worm TO any good end
tnan We're the old Articles of Confedera-
ton which 1t superseded; and to the Re
publican party by extending TO 1T General
Grosvenor's application of his old saw
to the Southern Democrats-"Gfve them
rope enough and they will hang them
selves"
Nobody wishes to do our Southern fellow
cltiZenS any wrong. Nobody ever did so
wish. Nobody ever did do them wrong bur
themselves alone, for it was no wrong for
US to Keep them from pulling our common
house down upon our common heads. All
that they have suffered and now suffer &c
but the fruit of the Dragons teeth. which
brings forth after his kind, always. which
they themselves have sown. And long ago
Judge Baidwin's plan of "masterIv in
activity whether wise or not. was
adopted. They have been left to work
away at their own salvation, with the re-
suit that now, after these mana years.
they are demanding that the !Aentical
terms upon. which alone their ancestors
consented that the Union might be estah-
llshed. that is, that they be permitted IN
mlsrepresent I'm the national Congress a
body of nonvoters-be granted them
We had enough of compromises will this
spirit in our earlier days, and maid a
frightful penalty therefor in that awful
war. Let US have no more of temporizinp
The spoiled child hat must be humored
act Is played out. The South is come "a
MANHOOD Judge Baldwin tells US that its
men are OF high and sensitive honor. we
have heard that said before, and believe it
Let them come manfully forward now and
put 1t beyond question by demanding fha
penalty of their voluntary act. They will
accept to the legal limit if our administers
ton do its part-not a doubt of il. And ws
want no more than justice. nothing what
ever as OF punfshment-justice for orr.
selves only, leaving the larger Question
OF justice for the negro to the fr,liegron,
man of the South. The hour is r;na fnr
all We ask. and the Constitution com,
mands ii. O w SEAPS
Indiananolis Doc 16