The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-06
Thr mrssenger.
THE wHOLENEss OF THE AMEND
MENT.


1t wiI be well done if Judge Browns
suggestion is carried QUITO make the
amendment n in all of its p~arIs--to
stand or fall together. Il would spike
Jeier's main gun. While good law
yeTs know and say that ii is one, II
according to the opinions Of great con-
stitutionaI lawyers it must be con-
s1rued as one, Jeter thinks otherwise.
or says he does. Spike the lfJtle
mans gun and compel him 10 hunt for
another destructive weapon OF war.
Senator Money in his able speech in
the senat- said on this very point:
Now. it is evident tha the legisla-
ty1re Of the state of North Carolina in
tended to present a scheme OF suffrage
TO the sovereign people OF that state
for their adoption. 1t was a whole
scheme; it was something in entirety.
Ii had it's several sections, 1T is true,
bu. as the court has frequently said,
81, tons are simply artificial and car
~ no meaning. Two different things
my be in the same section, and one
thing may be scattered through a dozen
sections. Here is the Legislature OF
North Carolina presenting to that peo-
~ d COISllLUIlOIIdl dIIlciluIlICAAb NPO'
what? Upon the subject of the elective
franchise. And they make their dec
laratiOn first as to illiteracy-
one must read and write the con-
StitIption. One nus pay poll taxes.
Fhen, as a modification of it's rastrict-
tons as to i~literacy, a liberal condl-
lion appended to it, a certain class OF
people, to wit, those who voted on or
prior to the 1St of January, 1861, and
Eheir descendants in North Carolina
and in other states, are permitted 10
exercise the franchise"
We suppose there is not a lawyer OF
learning and ability, and of good char
acter-an honest, candid, truthful law
wr-in all this country who holds with
Pratchard in the view he has present.
ed in his stump speech in the senate.
The amendment is to be construed and
understood as a whole. One section
cannot be taken alone. All must be
considered together, a scheme OF re-
form, Of suffrage, lone part compensat-
ing for another" So hold constitution
al awyers as to the law of interpre-
ration. Jeter and Butler and the other
little legal fellows pretend to believe
otherwise. but with them ignorance
is bliss"
Representative Kitchin says in his
article in The Washington Post, al
ready noticed and copied from, on the
amendment:
I'VE give all educated the same
rights. but we refuse to place on the
steady, intelligent, unlettered paLrlot
responsibility for the defects of the
shiftless, prejudiced, and uniformed.
- -aTNn 70 Inn and an
peal to enlightened judgment n con-
science for justification.
The entire amendment will stand or
fall as a whole. 1t is thus submitted
10 the popular vote. No can vote
fer one section and reject announcer. All
sections pertain to suffrage. Eacn sec
tion is material to the whole amend
noent Its opponents a cite no au-
t41ordty in which an mendme or
statute of similar nature n integrity
has been sustained at all when de-
clared unconstitutional in a material
Fart. In support of the proposflloh L
have stated there are numerous tu-
4borfties, only one of which L Will cite,
as il is Of universal fame
We have not a copy of Senator Nor
rams speech or we would copy what
he says as to this important pollAt- Inc
congress has not power to decide as 10
the constftutionality of the amendment.
Its decision of
would be demagogic, partisan for po-
lftical ends, mere bruntum fulmen. 1t IS
for the United States Supreme court
Yo decide and not for the tribunal Jeter
aDpeals ito in order to influence, If pos
sible, votes in North Carolina. Inc
congress is not qualified ito admins
ter discipline to a state because Oh
any law it may pass. Senator McEnery
in his important and impressive speech
ait the very close say wisely and
justly:
-enact a law to act upon the person or
persons who deny or abridge the right
10 exercise the act of voting on accouII
OF race, color, or prevfou cond1tlon- II
can not punish the state Ut can not
deprive the state of any of it's consti-
futionaI rights. Its laws must be res
pected until they are declared uncon-
sS8tutional by the Judiciary
By the way the little lawyer from
sampson tried to interrupt the Louis
faaian. but he would not allow 1T. He
paid no heed to the vociferations OF
the demagogic spouter and splutterer.
He again says, n 1T is Well worth
copying and considering:
THE state of louisiana was compeL-
cd 10 change this condition in its poll
teal affairs so as to avert grave dls-
-aster in the paralysis of power and will
and to give strength and energy and
power and authority ito the govern
.ment- Ut was compelled to look among
IT'S citizens for a higher personality In
order to bestow electoral power upon
them. 1t had the sole and exclusive
rieart TO do this. It's judgment can not
he questioned unless you find that for
arbitrary reasons the negro was ex-
,cszaded from the electorate simple be-
yoaNrse he was a negro"
THE KENTUCKY FEUD.