The Saint Paul globe., 1901-07-31
4 WRONG no THE SoUrH.

1t was an occasion OF real enjoyment
for our Republican contemporaries when
it was shown recently that the election
law of the state of Maryland which was
designed to put an end to the domination
in the politics of that state of the
ignorant and itinerant negro was found
to have failed of it's intended purpose.
Tney continue to maintain their attitude
that the electoral regulations which tho
several Southern states have established
are unjust and discriminating, and
should be met by congressional restric-
ton of Southern representation.
OF course if the temptation to preach
party politics were not so strong most
of the papers taking this attitude would
be heard insisting that the Southern
states, and all other states, should pro-
tect the ballot box in any way most ex-
pedient against invasion by the ignorant
and irresponsible voter especially when
the state has already experienced the
worst consequences which might flow
most of US. and renders us incapable of
viewing a given question from any other
standpoint.
What the Southern states are doing
or nave done has been done or is being
done elsewhere from the beginning and
no one has thought Of restricting the rep
tofT
in the electoral college. The good Re-
publicans of many New England states
have, for instance. for generations, main
tanned clauses in their constitutions
denying Roman Catholics the right to
vote, II is only in the present generation
that the expression of this general dis
position in the New England country was
forced out OF the organic law; and, if the
10 e is not mistaken there is still
one Of thole very intelligent Republican
states which maintains such an inhibi-
ton. But TO one new or at any time
has been heard suggesting or that ac-
count that New England representation
in congress or elsewhere should be or
should have been limited
We have the same state of things in
principle maintained in the Republican
state of New York. We hear every
day OF the great wrong which Is done by
the ignorant classes of New York city So
ciety having political control through
Tammany hall. The Republican papers
never cease playing on that string. And
the New York state legislators session
after session, under the moral guidance
of good. vfrtuous political leaders. like
Boss Platt. busy themselves devising ways
and means by which these same ignorant
citizens in the big city-i e.. the Tam
many voter-may have his electoral wings
clipped, and good virtuous Republican Of
ticials be placed In control in metropoii-
tan affairs
But nome Of our contemporaries ever
thinks that electoral restrictions exercised
anywhere outside the South should be Wis
tied by the penalties which const.tu-
tional amendment dictated by Republican
party necessities preScribeS.
1t is of course hardship to see intelII-
gent, upright colored men, capable of an
derstanding and appreciating their politi-
cal duties and responsibilities as Ameri-
can citizens, being deprived of the rights
guaranteed them by the constitution.
There are such victims of the prevailing
constitutional system of amendment pre-
vailing now in the South But it is a
wrong and lie to claim, as the Republic
an press is claiming implicitly through
out this discussion, that this is the class
OF colored men, which is excluded from
the ballot box in the South. It is not
1t is the illterate, unintelligent ire
sporsble negro who is aimed at. And
In many such cases he is sought to be
made tire victim at the same time as
his ignorant and shiftiess white brother
is hit BY the constitutional requirement
Considering the recognized social condt-