The sun., 1900-11-17
RATlFY THEN!

! the amendments to the Constitution Of
the United States, resulting from the
abolition of slavery, by the Delaware
legislature is appropriate. The political
controversy which began in the agita-
tion against human slavery and cul-
minated in thc civil war. has only just
ended in Delaware, il, indeed, it has
ended
The inspiring motive Of THE Democratic
party. apart from the personal ambition
| of Democrats to hold Office, during the
period that las elapsed since tAe begin
ming of that controversy has hren
prejudice against The negro. Whatever
else thc Democrats ii Ills STATE haye
put forward as an issue, hate Of the
colorcd voter and the determination to
dcfraud lin of lis vote has boon the
paramount issue. That lay al tho basis
of ihc early and late legislation which,
ID Democratic parlance has been for
safcguardins and promoting The purity
Of the ballot tho dpdlcmcnt Of Tie ballot
to he particularly guarded against by the
Democrats, being the touch nj the negro
voters hanl.
We think il is generally admitted that
the civil war proved conclusiycly that the
American people could not afford to deal
unjustly with The negro. The progress
of the war did not turn in favor of the
Union until the nation had rightrd itself
on that question by tho emancipation
of the slaves. Whatever may be the
opinion as to the influence Of the eman-
cipation proclamation ON the result of
the war, what we have stated here is a
fact. Under stress Of war, and war that
had been decidedly against the Union
forces, the nation purgcd itself Of the
sin Of slavery after having atoncl for
its sin in rivers of human blood before
1t had won any victories decisive of the
result of the war. When the war was
over, adopting an old fashioned and an
proved kind Of justice the nation at
tempted to make reparation for its for
mer injustice by cnfranchising the
former slaves. Opinion differ as TO the
political wisdom Of this course. ana
some sober wise thinkers are debating
the question even yet. But We think
the negative side OF that question draws
its arguments and conclusions from the
narrow view Of the subject, particularly
the Southern Democratic vncw Of ii.
That we do not hold to have been con
elusive Of the wisdom OF uuwiStlom OF
tho cnfranchisomcnt Of thc negro. In
the lHrgcr view Of il. let us inuuire what
has been thc effect NC the act Of Justice
in elAancpatnr and tho act of rrpara-
ton in cEfranchisinG them, upon the
Republican party and tho nation tlrongn
and by lis administration: Wa know
hat the Republican party without any
material aid from tho negro voter has
retained control Of The nation, and has
so retained ii in the face OF all the argu-
ncnts which preiudiccd interests ana
candid conviction could alduce against
|
we know too the most rapid strides in
our national progress have been made
under the control of the Republican
: party, and that that portion Of the coun-
try that has been the most Loyalty Re
publican has reached larger freedom.
better and more successful govern
mental condition than the States which
dcmurrcd against and violently opposed
the emancipation and cnrranchisrmcnt
of the negro. So, We think. sentimental
obedience to the rules of Justice aS laid
down in tho New Testament ,hnt com
mands not only tho undong of the
wrong, but reparatipn for the INJURY. has
had something to do with tho continued
success OF the Republican party and the
progress Of the nation under its control.
It is with these views that We como
to consider the proposition for the
ratification, at this late day ~ the civil
war amendments to the National Con
stituton. We conclude that the effect
Of those amendments haze been bcnc-
= ticial not merely to tho negro but II lis
white fellowcitizens generally. This is
4 proof that the daing nf what is now
proposed III Delaware was righi III lS,O
If right then, right now polawar,
: should lmfgr herself not only or nc siu
9 Of slavery, but y thc long linc or cyil
IA political things which lmyr been don,
here e prevent. 81 fm as possible tht
results anticipated III lie emancipation
i aud cnfranchScmcnt Of the negroes
= States if they are to lyc and prosper
r must be just.
Y We are infavor of city railways ana
; rapid transit-thcy are necessary. A
tnWn or CITY of nnN nnnsi1l..rn LII. liz