The Washington times., 1901-08-06

this at a time. when the Southern States
were themselves partially disfran-
chised, shows how wide was the depart
ure from all the early traditions and
| precedents of the American Govern
ment. There was no principle of nat
ural justice that required such action.
The exercise of the suffrage had never
| been deemed n natural risht-nor mss
| it been since. If ii were so regarded
there would be no answer TO the de-
mand of the woman sUffragists, noI
would there be any justice in disfran-
chising youths under The age of TWEEN
ty-one years.
As a mere abstract principle 1t might
be claimed that all persons living per
manently in a country should have
voice in its government. But the ques-
tion cannot be considered in the alb
stract. 1t is in the highest degree con-
crete Every sovereign community
limits the suffrage according to its own
best judgment, and with an eye to the
welfare of the State. 1t may not al
ways be wisely done. All human insti-
tutions are measurably imperfect. But
the right of u sovereign State to regu-
late the suffrage within its borders was
never questioned in this country until
the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments to the Constitution were adopt
ed, not for the benefit of the negro, but
for the supposed advantage Of the Re-
publican party.
The provision that the representation
of a State shall be reduced as penalty
for the disfranchisement of male oiti-
zens was aimed exclusively at the
South. and it is directly opposed to the
fundamental basis of representation in
the country. which is population-not
voters. The new States of the West
have very large percentage of voters
Montana's total population only
entities her to one Representative, but
her vote would fairly give her two. for
it is about equal 10 that of two aver
age Congressional districts in the East.
The principle could be further illus
trated by reference to the States in
which female suffrage prevails, but it
is not necessary to go into that matter.
for it is perfectly clear that as broad
rule. representation is based upon pop
ulation, and not upon the number of
voters.
In all of this The Times is not advo-
eating the disfranchisement of the ne
gro because of his color. The purpose
is merely to point out that the const-
tutional amendments bearing upon the |
subject are narrowly partisan, and |
that if through educational tests ne |
groes or others should be disfranchised !
a reduction of the States representa- |
ton is not a just and proper remedy. |
1t is one, in fact, that would injure |
the negroes themselves. just as ii would /
initiate against every woman and (
child in the State. The true remedy is /
for the negroes TO educate themselves |
to meet the requirements, /
which, in most cases, they can do very |
easily 1t should be the privilege of /
every. State to protect itself against ig-
norance in the voter whatever his
color may be. There is nothing wrong
N the disfranchisement of those who
are too ignorant to understand the
ourport of the ballots they would cast.
The only wrong in these Southern cleo
ton laws are the exceptions which
hey make in favor Of a few whites who
are entitled 10 no favoritism whatever
Let them as well as the negroes ac-
zuire little rudimentary education.
and a condition win be created that
yill be decidedly beneficial to the States
n which they live.