The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-01-18

selves in its repeal, when our OWL
members of Congress assume such q
position?
1t is time these questions were
threshed out in the open. There has
been too much clandestine fence corner
discussion that ceased as soon as a
negro came in sight. There has been
too much pleading Of wanting to see
justice done the negro, and thereby
practically cutting off discussion. So
far as the writer knows or believes, no
one whose opinion is worth quoting
desires anything else but justice for the
negro; but there is also justice for the
white man. And justice for both is
such a state Of things as permits dis
cussion of some other question than
the negro question, which has been the
only subject in politics, practically, in
the South for the last seventy years.
As Lefore stated, governments are
creatures of evolution, and the people
of Virginia should give the people Of
the world the benefit of their expe-
rience.
As TO this question Of negro suffrage,
it may be that little can be done, that
will be upheld by the Supreme Court
of the United States. But an opinion
can be expressed, and principle can be
enunciated, that time will enforce.
There are three views it seems to be
reckoned with.
First, the view expressed by the
member Of Congress in Norfolk; and
as he belonged to the powers that be,
there will be strong effort made to
give that view practical effect. Second:
Those who believe that the negro is
qualified to become part Of govern
ment under certain restrictions, and
third: Those who believe that as a race
the presumption is, that they are not
qualified to take any part in govern
ment and that since they were freed
they have only added to the presump-
ton against them.
As to the first, it is only necessary to
let matters remain as they are. 1t is
presumed, however, that under the
new constitution, no provision will be
made for depriving those of the right
to vote, who the people say should
vote, and that therefore the negro vote,
if they carry out their ideas will be
counted as cast.
Those who take the view expressed
in the second clause, will of course be
satisfied with an educational and prop
erty qualification, and should not de-
sire any grandfather clause.
Those coming under the third head. |
may well ask: What are they to do? |
1t is to be hoped that no delegate
will be elected to the convention who
does not explicitly state to which class
he belongs on this all important ques
ton, and that therefore, there will be a
full discussion Of it IN the public press,
and on the stump if necessary. That
no man will be permitted to say we
must not talk too much about this or
we will arouse the radical and negro
vote and then we will have great deal
Of trouble. If we are to have trouble.
cts go along and have it, like men, and
not by keeping our mouths closed to
put of the evil day.
There might be added to the three
'lasses above mentioned another class.
Who so so far as the result is concerned.
would necessarily act with the third
lass. Those who believe that regard
ess of qualifications, it is a settled fact
hat the white race will not permit the
iegro to take any active part in politics.
hat he will be forced or driven out of {
lis vote, and that that being the case 8
here is no hope for honest politics so {
ing as the negro offers any apprecia-
lie vote. 5
We are warned by our Bill of Rights G
frequently recur to fundamental a
rinciples. 1t may not be amiss in this b
to recur to them here. Our b
'refathers desired to guarantee TO
very human being the right to life y
oerty and the pursuit Of happiness. a
hey gave to all Of our race who desired l.
, under certain conditions, the right of V
tlzenship. That is the right TO the
of our government; but all
lis had nothing to do with the right +
vote. 1t has never been considered y
any government that the right of Il
tlzenship conferred the right Of suf- u
age. 1t is probable that this error q
Is caused the negro to hold so tenac-
nsly to the privilege Of voting, though
must be plain to him, that he is
anding in the way of the develope-
ent OF that section in which his
merlcal strength is greatest. 1t will
all probability be found that it is in
ose sections where the right Of suf. A
we Is qualified, that the greatest pro- Is
ion for education is provided. and s
lere compulsory education exists. =
Ten states have qualified SUFFRAGE. n