Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-14

Miss Jewett of Boston, representing the
Anti-Lynching League of that town. wants
the republican national committee to for
mally declare against lynchings. The or
ganization to which she belongs has espe-
ciaIly in view the condition of the negro In
the south. Chairman Hanna has. of course.
refused to favorably consider the lady $
proposition. There was nothing else for
him to do. The question is not political in
any sense. and there Is no reason why 1t
should be brought into the present cam
paign.
Miss Jewett falls. as many northern peo-
pie do to distinguish between the negro's
personal safety and his political rights. In
the one case he takes his chances. as the
white man does In the community in which
he lives. If those chances are against him,
Ii is within his province to go elsewhere;
or. what is far better. to minimize his dan
ger by life of industry and good conduct.
But. in any event, it is no more advisable
that Massachusetts should NEEDLE in the
domestic affairs of Louisiana than that
Louisiana should NEEDLE in those Of Mas
sachusetts. Lynchings in either of those
states, in any state. for any cause. are
indefensible and deplorable, but the remedy
does not lie in political agitation sec
tional recrimination.
The Acknowledgement of the negro in the
south is an entirely different matter. That
extends to and affects affairs in the Nation
al House of Representatives. where the in
terestS of all the states decided. Mas
sachusetts and Louisiana meet there. and
each has voice in the settlement of ques-
lions of Importance to both. 1t is
tirely proper. therefore, that Massachusetts
should object to being placed at a disad
vantage in that forum Dnblfc
policies as vital to her interests as to those
of louisiana If Louisiana insists that
negro ignorance shall not regulate the suf-
frage, then Louisiana ought not to ask for
votes in Congress based upon the ignorant
negroes whom she outlaws at the polls.
The Constitution forbids the states to shut
out negro ignorance from the ballot box.
unless white ignorance Is similarly ex-
cluded. and provides penalty of a reduc-
ton OF representation for the offense of
this discrimination.
There ought not to be any confusion of
ideas on this race question. because it is a
question of the highest Importance and 1t
Is the coming question. The security of
human life Is one thing: that Is something
that each state must settle for itself. But
the question of the suffrage as 1t affects
Congress has national bearing and the
Constitution. as already indicated. express
ly provides a penalty for tampering with
1t in discriminating against voters on ac-
count Of color or past condition of servi-
tude-
The eulogistic prominence given at the
indianapolis notification to the principles
and acts Of Lincoln. the emancipator and
to the doctrine of equal rights for all. has
attracted the interested attention of the
public to the immediate and practical dan
ger to our institutions involved in this vio-
latiOn of the Constitution and equal rights.
politically re-enslaving those whom Lincoln
freed
The new democratic-populistic Lincoln
will. of course. if elected. be expected to
carry the real Lincoln's principles into eff
feet in good faith in the SOUTH as well as
In the Philippines. The south will conse-
quently take a new and lively interest in
the paramount issue