Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-08-09
SENATOR MORGAN ON NEGRO
SUFFRAGE.

The talk of Senator Morgan of Ala
bama about the situation in the South,
and especially in Alabama, is so sol
emn and 70 essentially silly, that we
cannot help suspecting his sincerity.
il reads as II for the time he felt COM
plenty OF sense and fair stock OF
humor. and he does not ordinarily take
80 much time and trouble TO say what
is obviously wide OF the mark and
ut best extremely thin.
He defines the purpose Of the ap-
preaching constitutional convention 10,
be 'to relieve the state of aa incubus
OF Ignorance and vice. to eliminate an
element composed OF men who have
neither character. intelligence. capaci-
~. sense OF responsibility. patriotism,
or loyalty to any obligation" un-
doubtciiy there is such an element in
Alabama, and In all the South. II Is
composed OF men. some OF whom are
black and many OF whom are white.
Both classes are the product OF slav-
cry, which made honest work as dis
agreeable and discre,iitable for the
whites rs for the slaves themselves. In
both classes Vice Is largely the consc-
quencc OF ignorance. which Is in great
part due to the !dlencss bred in slay-
cry. Neither class Is really fitted for
the exercise OF the suffrage. Each
badly needs education In the duties OF
citizenship and each would be far bet
acquire the rudImcnts OF that ciuca-
ilon before they were allowed TO vote.
II the ballot wcr. made the prize OF
some elementary schooling. both
classes would gradually comply with
the conditions. and there would be n
steady and permanent gain FOR the
state.
We are confident that Senator Nor
gan really understands these facts.
Yet he gravciy assumes that the faults
and defects OF the voters OF Alabama
and the South are confined 10 the ne
grocs, and that by robblns these OF
their equal right TO the suffrage the
state VIII rid Itself OF the evils due TO
these defects and faults. He prc,cnds
so be engaged In noble and high
minded scheme TO purify the politics
OF his state. when he is really tryin:
only 10 get rid OF negro suffrage while
setting up for the ignorant and vicious
whites sort OF sacred privilege based
exclusively on the color OF their skin.
He ought TO know by sad experience
that II Is this class that has imposed
on the Democratic party In the South
the burden II has SO steadily borne TO
deserved defeat. 1t Is this class that
has made the Democracy ofthc senator
himself futile and helpless and has
deprived him OF the honor and !niiu-
encc rs leader TO which his ability
class in all the southern states. secure
and insolcnt In Its class privilege. that
has kept the Democratic party section |
nj and narrow and imbecIlc. Its action |
and influence have bred Populism, ar-
rnyed the party against all the true
Interests OF their section and of the |
country. made 1t renctIonary, obstruct.
i've, unpatriotic and utterly unsafe. 1t
Is the surrender OF the party to this
class that has made 1t impossible for
n southern man. no matter what his
character and ability. 90 become n real
power in national politics, and has
bound men like Mr.. Morgan TO the ig.
noble leadership and ruinous ambition
OF man like Mr.. Bryan.
Does Senator Morgan like his
chains? Do they fit easily and is their
clanking agreeable? 1t would seem
so, since he is engaged in strengthen
ing the influence of the class that com
pcls him to wear them. If men Of the
standing OF the senator would only
see that II Is not negro ignorance and
vice exclusively of which the South
must get rid, but that equal and fair
conditions imposed on the ignorant
and vicious OF both races are the only
possible means of putting the affairs
OF the South in safe hands. It would be
far better for their party, for their sec
ton, and for the whole nation. Until
there arise leaders wise and clear
headed enough to pursue this course
the South will inevitably remain, so
far rs national politics are concerned,
in n condition of disadvantage and in
fcriority.-New York Times.
a