Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-09-05
cowARpLY AND PERFIDIOUS.

These are, perhaps, harsh words to APP
ply to the action of those members of the
Constitutional Convention, who are now
urging the proclaiming of the new Constr
tuition instead of submitting it to the peo'
pie for ratification or rejection. But If we
could make an exhibit of the comments of
the Democratic newspapers in the State at
the time such course was suggested We
would be able to show that "cowardly and
per6dious" are appropriate words for de.
scribing the conduct of these revolutionist
and disregarders of party pledges, who now
say no opportunity shall be given the peo-
pie to pass upon the Constitution.
We are bound to infer that the reason
for not submitting the Constitution to the
people 10 fear of its defeat by the popular
vote. In fact, MIR. Carter Glass, VITO now
seems to be the mouthpiece Of the Demo-
cratic revolutionists and repudiationists,
has proclaimed that it would be defeated
if submitted and for that reason urges tie
Reputation of the solemn pledge of SUBJ
mission made by the Democratic conven'
ton Of 1900.
Why do the revolutionists fear the PEG.
Pile? 1t must be that they contemplate
making Constitution so unfair and unjust
that they knew the people will repudiate
it. Their fear is not of the negroes, but
the white people of the State. The pre-
tended fright at the negro vote is insincere.
Mr.. Glass says he does not want the
100000 negro voters to pass upon the Con-
sttution, because that would insure its re-
lection. No one knows better than Mr..
Glass that bis statement is not supported
by psst records and results. 1t is the white
vote and not the negro vote that frightens
Glass and his associates. This is sustained
by the fact that objection to proclamation
of the Constitution comes from represen-
tatives of the white sections Of the State.
The results in past elections show con.
clusivelv that they do not dread the negro
vote. Nearly every negro county in the
State is represented in the Convention by
a white Democrat. But for the vote of the
negro counties the Constitutional Conven'
ton would never have been ordered. The
Democrats have learned how to utilize the
negro vote, and their dread of negro su-
premacy is mere pretense for cowardly
assault upon the suffrage of white men. 1t
is the ballots of the honest white men OF
the Valley of Virginia and of the South
west that has made them adopt the proc.
lamation idea. This dread has made them
guilty of the worst party per6dy that has
ever been known in Virginia.
1t is useless for the Democratic leaders
and press to undertake to deny the deceit
and treachery that have been practiced on
the people. After making an emphatic
pledge in the convention of 1900 to submit
the new Constitution to the popular vote,
they unblushingly repudiate the pledge for
fear that the outrages they propose to in
fiict by Constitutional enactment will fail.
We are not astonished that partisan lead
ers are guilty Of such conduct, for insin'
cerity is feature of Virginia Democratic
leadership. But we must confess that We
have been astounded at the course of such
journals as the Richmond Times, the Rich.
mond News and the Roanoke Times ia at |
last yielding their support or acquiescense
to such disgraceful conduct of the Democ-
racy. The Norfolk Virginian'Pilot still
demands an honest fulfllment of the
pledge of 1900, and denounces the per6di-
Gus conduct Of Carter Glass and those who
have accepted bis brazen Interpretation of
the submission resolution.