The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-04-09

rapid advance in the direction OF negro
disfranchisement," he goes on to say:
The apportionment bill and the count
ing OF the electoral vote, without 'he
question being raised as to the con-
stitutionality OF the presidential elec-
ton in Louisiana and Mississippi, is a
distinct victory for white suffrage.
Maryland has seen her opportunity and
has FASTENED to profit by 1t. When
things are coming our way there is
no necessity for clamorous discussion
until they are settled. lest some one
might interrupt. So / think the least
said is The best just now on the negro
question. Those people will begin to
draw of to the Philippines at an early
date. They are already going to Ha-
wai. and we shah soon find room for
white people in the South. Then we
shall be free and happy people, when
the lime arrives l will elaborate these
views, but AT present 1t is better not
to discuss them. We should take a
lesson from the Cubans and discuss the
negro question with closed doors in
our convention. The silent progress We
are making is very encouraging"
The silent progress made toward the
total suppression Of the negro vote in
the South has indeed been remarkable.
and the silence has been as remarkable
as the progress. Here and there it is
true a voice Of protest has been heard.
Upon many occasions the Can has
pointed out the extent to which the ne
gro in several states has been deprived
of his constitutional rights. and some
of the more influential papers in the
East have also spoken out; but the is
sue has never been taken up by the
general public with anything like the
it deserves. Congress has
done nothing. and as Senator Morgan
says the Southern states have been en-
cour tgei to go forward with the
scheme. until now even a border state
like Maryland has felt free to follow
the Mississippi plan"
Such being the case Senator Nor
gan is astute If not wise in advising
silence. He is lutte right in asserting:
When things are coming our way there
is no necessity for clamorous discus
sion" He is equally liscrete in urg-
ing that in The Alabama convention
the negro question be discussed with
closed doors. The disfranchisement Of
the negro is. in fact, one Of the move
ments Of the time ihat dare not meet
debate and discussion. 1t must move
forward with as much secrecy as can
be maintained, and. as affairs are now
managed in the South, very remarka-
bic degree of 'ecrecy in politics is cas-
ily maintained by the Bourbon bosses.
The demand for secrecy in such
movement is to some extent a compli-
ment to the public sentiment of the
country. 1t is a recognition Of the
fact that the people would never sane
ton the wrong. AMI tnat any discus
sion Of it even by It's friends and advo-
Gates would arouse opposition to it,
There is nothing complimentary. how
ever. in the suggestion that so great
wrong as is proposed can be perpe-
trated under the eyes Of the people
without discussion. It would be
blind nation indeed if so great a po-
liJic1l movement could be carried on
in many states ami extended over a long
period Of time without arousing the OBJ
iections of those who believe tina, the
privileges conferred upon all citizens by |
the constitution should be secured ov
the government for the blacks as well |
as for the whites.
The subject was not taken I'D at the
time Of the passage Of the apportion- |
ment bill at the late session Of congress
because the exigencies Of politics led !
the Republican leaders to deem it in
expedient to do so at that time. Sooner
nr later. however, this issue will be tak-
en- up and dealt with on its merits !
Silence cannot be maintained all the |
time. In fact, this very letter in which
Morgan advises silence may prove to
be the cause Of an immediate discus |
sion Of the subject throughout the |
UniCn.
WITH THE PARAGRAPHERs