The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-18
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.

Yesterdays New York Sun contained vigor.
Gus letter from John T.. Barrett, editor OF the
Scranton Truth. in relation to the proposition
put forth at Montgomery, Ala, the other day
by a convention Of Southerners to repeal the
Fifteenth amendment. Mr.. Barrett wrote:
''The editorial entitled The Proposition TO
Repeal the Fifteenth Amendment in Saturdays
Sun was worthy the best traditions OF the Sun.
II presented a great question in clear and
comprehensive light, and viydy pictured the
evils that might be expected as result OF the
undoing Of the United States constitution in its
most vital part. namely, that which extends the
shelter Of the fundamental law to the newest
citizens Of the republic.
'The Fifteenth amendment is one OF the fair.
est flowers on our constitutional tree and the
vandalistic suggestion that It be plucked of de.
serves prompt and fitting rebuke, no matter what
source IL may emanate from IL is the fair
fruiticn and complement Of that part Of the I'm
mortal Declaration Of Independence in which
Thomas Jefferson laid down the deathless pr'n'
ciple: we hold these truths to be selfevident,
that all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalien-
able rights; that among these are life, liberty
and the pursuit OF happiness The Fifteenth
amendment, giving the force and effect Of the
organic law TO this declaration, says that the
right OF the citizens OF the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any state on account of race, color
previous condition Of servitude.' Until this
vital principle became part of our constitution
the constitution was incomplete, and now it is
proposed to cripple it again! Was there ever
such an absurd movement in the name OF in.
teligence and liberty?
Progress has been a plant OF slow growth
among the most favored races, yet because the
Southern negro, after centuries Of slavery and
but few years Of freedom, does not size up to
tkA ats @ aV.I he
must be stripped of his political rghts The
suggestion is monstrous in a free republic and
In an age when advancement for all Gods chill
dren is the watchword every where. As well
suggest that great cak that has taken root
in the soil and covered the landscape with its
spreading branches be compressed back into the
original acorn undertake to despoil the en-
franchsed negro Of his just constitutional rights
To make him worthy of his privileges as cit
zen and a voter is far nobler task, and tC
this laudable purpose leaders cf his own race
as well as white philanthropists are bending
their unsefsh energies.
'The proposition to shape the constitution Sc
az to discriminate against race Is repreh6nsi
hle and richly merits the Suns condemnation
To admit the justice Of such scheme in The
case of the negro would he to encourage similar
reprisals against other races and religions. Al
that would he necessary in order TO ostraciz'
any particular race religion, il this prncipl,
should once be admitted, would he enough votes
The righteousness OF the project would be
matter OF minor consequence, provided that tn
reactionaries and the retroGressonists possessed
the necessary strength to accomplish their pur
pose. The Sun well says that II one body o
the electorate is disfranchised the principle o
popular sovereignty in America will he de
stroyed.
Those who advocate the repeal Of the FIJI
teenth amendment claim that the negroes ar
not At for self.govcrnment. This argument !
the stock-in-trade OF Tory politicians all tn
world over 1t has been the stereotyped argu
ment in the British parliament against extendin!
the franchise to Ireland and il was echoed b.
Lord Salisbury the other day. It is easy to as
sert that any people are unfit for seli-govcrnmen
so long as the opportunity to govern is withheld
from them. and equally easy to assert that the
are unworthy OF the franchise when they are no
wanted at the polls.
''The splendid guarantees Of the constitution
must be kept intact, North and South. and 70
| every race and religion that finds shelter undc
| the grandest charter that was ever formulate
for the protection of the rights Of man."