The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-08-08
StoHo DIsFn ANCHFsEMESr AND
SOUTHERN AUGMENTATION

StGHo DIsFIs ANCHfsEMES AND
-oUrHERs INTERPRETATION.
The Chicago Chronicle, demo
c,atlc paper, referring to the recent
action OF the Alabama constitutional
Convention In voting TO adopt the
grandfather clause" as means oil
restricting the right of suffrage, says;
"Perhaps when all Of the states
In which the black vote Is trouble
some factor have amended their
constitutions in this manner they
will find themselves face to face
with a congress which will have the
honesty and the courage to enforce
the attn amendment, cutting down
their representation in the House,
and thus reducing their power In
the electoral college.
IL il possible now, with Mr.. Nc
Kinley managing sffairs under laws
higher than the constitution, TO do
many things with impunity which
a stronger and better man In the
White House may deem II Ii duty
to correct. The grandfather states
should keep close watch for this
man. He will arrive In due Time"
There IL no installing the fact
that there IL a strong sentiment In
certain parts Of the Union in favor
Of reducing the representation of the
Southern states in Congress on &C
count of the disqualification Of the
negro voter.
The Republican State Convention
Of Ohio has recently expressed itsel
to this effect in no uncertain terms
and from other states similar ex
pressions are heard. 1t seems
probable that before very long thi
agitation WI result In a well direct
ed effort being made to decreas
Southern representation; In fact,i /
inevitable that such an effort shOul,
be made. When 1t does come tn
conflict will be very bitter and will
not serve to increase the spirit o
friendship between the North an
the South.
IL has come to be widely believe
that the enactment Of the tourteet
and fifteenth amendments to tn
Constitution OF the United State
was blunder, an exemplificatio
of the old saying, "Act in haste
repent Mt LEISURE" But we pa
that over. The fact IL that thes
amendments stand today a. tn
highest law Of the land, and 1t
further fact that the expedien
adopted by various states of til
South 10 eliminate the black vol
are In direct conflict with thes
amendments. Such being the cas
1t Is necessary to look the matte
in the face. 1t is idle to say tn,
the Southern states know best VIII
is to their advantage, and that OF
Northern brethren will not dare
interfere. States are as jealous I
their power as are individuals, ar
they are no less quick to take a.
vantage Of whatever may be to the
interest politically as well as cor
merically. If the representation
the Southern states was reduced
proportion to the number Of negro
disqualified-and such reduction
provided for by the 14th amen
ment when the right to vote
abridged on any ground exec
participation in rebellion or 9th
crime-the other states of the U
Ion would hold larger power in t
national councils and in the electol
college. This fact is not to owe
looked in considering the prUbabili
Of the action referred to being take
1t seems, therefore, that the ra
question is likely to become Nation
instead of Southern. If this 4
tionalization of more or less 8,
tional question could result in
movement looking to the repeal
the IA and 18th amendments a We
wise purpose might be served; b
II 1t shall result in depriving t
Southern State of the proportion
representation they now enjoy a.
thus engender i'll feeling betwe
two sections of our country the
In truth, will the grandfather clau.
have proven curse to the people
the South and a source of disco
and strife instead of being the &C
servator of white rule and pea
THE LAST OF THE Beers.