Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-12-07
The Racial Question.

Mr., Editor 1T seems that the result Of
the last election has brought the country,
plainly, face to face with the race issue.
The wisdom OF granting general and sud-
den suffrage to q multitude Of ignorant and
unqualified people Of an entirely different ma
ture, without any lofty ideas Of their own
absolutely heterogeneous with the true citi-
zens Of this country, has always been doubt
ed by the most conservative members of the
Republican party and unqualidedly condemn
ed BY the people who had the best knowledge
Of the negro.
1t was this horde of unthinking people that
determined the last election, as all elections,
practically, since their suffrage was given
see some Democrats ~ advocate a re-
organization of the Democratic party. This
is simply impossible-the party is already
we'll organized. What is needed is dis
organization Of the Republ party. But
how can this be accomplished when the party
has such supreme control over the negro
voter In all of the Middle States this negro
vote controls results, and is being continu-
ally increased by shipments of the "reliable
voter" from the Southern States
Will any one deny the assertion that there
is far larger negro vote In the States Of llli-
nois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Mary
land, Delaware, New Jersey and possibly
New York, and even Pennsylvania, than the
Republican majority in either State, and that
practically all Of this vote goes::as the Repub-
lican managers ordain. The Senatorial, Con-
gress, onal and especially the Presidential cleo
tons In those States are therefore dominated
by this vote, and consequently the fate of
the country is determined by the ''nation's
wards"
Do they vote Republican tickets from pria.
ciple by no means. Did they vote against
Mr.. Bryan in 1896 and 1900 on account Of
their non-bimetallic views2 by no means.
Did they vote against Tilden, Hancock and
Cleveland because they believed in protec-
tive tariff 2 by no means. Did they vote, at
the late election, for Mr.. Mckinley because
they believed in colonization, militarism, eX-
pansion, commercialism, or The "full dinner
pail" or the empire, or what not2 by no
means. They voted for Mr.. Mckinley sim
ply because they believed that the Republic
can party emancipated them 10 1885, aud not
withstanding this question has been long
since settled forever and they, as part OF the
sovereign voters Of our country, are required
to eudeavor honestly and wisely to solve the
new and er-varying Issues for the best well
fare of our country, they will for generations
to come simply vote for the issues OF 1865, and
the head of Lincoln will always control this
vote, as against any other issue that may arise.
Gratitude 10 jewel of rare value, but the
welfare of the country should always be the
paramount motive. The white vote eau be
| and is generally separated on the issues Of a
campaign according to the merits of those
issues, but the negro is always en- mdsse.
The money issue has drawn such numbers
from the Democracy as to make Republicans
feel "sort of kindly" to the Gold Democrats
OR the contrary, II the Republican party
were to insert plank In its platform to exile
or re-enslave the negro it is not at all unlikely
that il would receive the bulk of this vote.
If that party declared for tin dollars, tissue
currency and shinplasters it would unques-
tonably get this vote solid-a vote always
loyal. To what2 II it resolves to enslave or
grant fullest citizenship to the Filipinos
after they have been sufficiently logged, and
tax them with or without representation to
play England's Egyptian policy on Cuba,
and to exploit Porto Rico or stop exploiting
her 1t would receive the solid negro vote to the
extent of thir voting capacity. am convinced
that to-day there is not a Democrat-even Il
gold DemOcrat-thRt could be nominated for
President on any issue not even on those
the Republicans claim to have won on at the
last election-aye, not even on the Ten Com
mandments, the New Commandments and the
Lords Prayer, and be elected. And princi
pally because OF the immensely, the density
! and intensity of this thoroughly adjusted
balance of power vote-these worshipers
of 1.-THE bridge that carried them over"
Therefore, then, why submit fundamental
and vital principles Of governmental pOlity
for intelligent solution by the people 1t is
mOckery, a delusiOn, the shadow Of the
substance that once was. There is great
outcry about the North Carolina and Misss-
sippi laws Why not about those of Massa-
| chusetts2
Each State has right to regulate its own
suffrage, so long as there is no violation Of
the Federal Constitution and the Acts OF Con-
gress made In pursuance thereof And each
State should so regu late its suffrage as will
best voice the int diligence and morality Of
the State.
This smacks of the doctrine of States
Rights-we are q nation of States and not
of subjects. Such a principle has been long
considered by many as one of the Oldest fos-
sils in the graveyard Of Democracy, but |
still loiter where lie buried such and so many
of the immortal principles of the founder Of
the Republic Of l778, awaiting confidently,
the resurrection.
This is white mans country. founded on
white mems thoughts, and all principles aud
construction of principles should be determ-
ined by white men, not only for their good I,
but the negros also. In other words, II
should be ruled by the most intelligent and
not by the most ignorant.
When this Is done an election will voice
the will of the people and come nearer to be-
ing the "OO1 pOputi, DOR del
Until then It signifies naught but the skill
ful leadership of a minority party, when aid
ed by u million and q half of unthinking
voters-absolutely subservient to the will Of
those who claim to be the followers OF Lincoln.
Such condition of affairs is so subvers-
i've Of all reliable popular judgment that 1t
becomes tantamOunt to the overthrow OF the
Republic.
fla the Empire, except in name and titled
nobility, really dawned2 And how many,
pro forms, elections are to be held before the
vanquished and the vanquishers quit the
farce--one 10 bow-the other to ruler