The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-07-26

the public welfare. They and the dan
gerous political power that they are en-
abled, by INSCRIPTIONS means, to WELD,
are standing menace to the general
peace and order, and to the most valua-
BILE interests of the State. They are pub
lie enemies.
There is but one remedy, and that is to
disarm them; and this can be most ef-
fectively done by the ratification of the
Constitutional amendment.
The constitutionality is questioned by
some, and that is urged generally as a
reason for voting against it by those who
are interested in having it defeated.
The language of the Fifteenth Amend
ment is plain and unambiguous: "The
right of citizens OF the United States to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States or by any State on ac
count OF race, color, or previous condi-
ton OF servitude." That law may come
within the inhibition contained in this
provision it is necessary that two things,
or facts should concur:
l. There must be denial or abridge-
ment of the right to vote, that is there
must be q discrimination against the
voters: 3. This denial, or infringement,
or discriminat ton must be on account of
race or color or previous condition OF
servitude. 1t can not be denied that the
operation of the proposed amendment
will result i'll the denial and abrdgement
of the right of q large number of negroes
to vote, because they will fall within the
excluded class, not possessing the qualiti-
cation according to the test prescribed.
So that the first element will exist. But
it does not appear, and can not be made
to appear that the fact most material to
| bring it within the inhibition exists, that
is, that the denial is con account of race,
| or color or previous condition OF serVI-
| tude.'
| No such purpose appears upon the
face OF the amendment, and no such con-
| clusion can be deduced from any OF its
provisions, and resort must be first had
to the amendment itself to ascertain its
meaning, and if it be unambiguous. it
| must speak for itself.
II the language OF the amendment be
consulted it will be found that two tests
of qualification are prescribed, both
educational.
The one is acquired by having been
simply taught to read and write, the
other by an actual participation in the
conduct of public affairs, from tradition,
| from ancestors, from attendance upon
public meetings, and the hearing OF dis
cussions of public questions. OF the two
the latter is the best preparatory school
ing. and better fits the voter for n intel
| ligent exercise of the right OF suffrage
| 1t will be found further that the amend
ment divides the voters into classes, ant
that its tests and requirements apply
equally to ever, individual OF every class
Itre1uires that every person presenting
himself for registration shall read anc
! write. There is no discrimination here
for large number OF negroes can vote
1t excerpts those whose ancestors votet
prior to January l, 1867, or who them
selves voted prior to that date, unde
which old free negroes and their descend
ants can vote.
1t requires that all who come OF az
after December l, 1908, shall be able t
read and write. Hereth is no discrinl
nation, but it applies to all colors an
all races.
Thus it will be seen that the prescribe
tests OF qualification apply to every If