The new age. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1902-190?, 1902-10-18
HE FAvORS THE REPEAL OF
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.

HE FAvORS THE REPEAL OF
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Prof. Leon c. Prince, of Dickin-
son college, Pa. a gentleman eminen'
in learning, argues for the repeal of
the fifteenth amendment to the con-
stitution on the ground that Negro
suffrage in the south is a failure.
Now, if the professor proves to a
satisfactory conclusion that it is
through the unworthiness of the AT
ro-American that the failure comes
about. then he has reasoned well.
But if, on the other hand, Negro suf-
frage at the south is a failure owing
to the opposition and embarrassment
which confront him, then the profess
sor's argument is lame and worth
less. 1t must be acknowledged that
prior to the political freedom of the
Afro-American, there was a stab
born and deadly antagonism against
giving the right of suffrage to him.
Since emancipation he has been
meeting this same spirit of opposi-
ton and domination. The same ang-
ry hate, the same mad ambition to
restrict the Negro at any cost full
inmates in the bosom of those who
claim to regulate the affairs of state.
Along any line of argument Prof.
Prince must admit that the forces
who opposed the enfranchisement of
the Afro-American are they who OPP
posed him prior to the adoption of
the fifteenth amendment. The proof
then is ample and complete that
there is a widespread conspiracy
on the part of the opponents to de-
feat the right of suffrage to the Ne
gro. Does Prof Prince mean to be-
come a party to a conspiracy so base
and infamous and will he lend his in
fluence in support of a measure that
is in itself an act of robbery and in
Justice? The professor enumerates
four questions that have been moot
ed, to wit: Deportation, segrega-
ton, assimilation and disfranchise-
ment. OF these he sees his way
clear only through Acknowledgement
The first three he holds to be imprac-
ticable. But does not disfranchise-
ment mean purely a sacrifice of the
personal liberty and manhood of the
Afro-American; his absolute. degra-
dation and humiliation, upon no
ground of expediency or profit to the
nation? Enfranchisement to any
| portion of our citizens means the ele
walton of the masses, and whatever
| tends to elevate the masses, lightens
the burdens upon the people and fits
them for self-government - Prof.
| Prince is not disposed to view the
| matter in this light, because from
his narrow vision he discriminates
| against class of citizens, the weak
est and most needy of all Americans.
The spirit of philanthropy and true
| patriotism should be the highest mo-
| tive ard impulse actuating the heart
of our wisest and best citizens. The
noblest and the less generous. less
wise and less concerned as to their
obligations to their fellow citizens
| discuss how best to circumscribe and
| Cypress other men whose rights I'M
der a common government are as
valid and sacred as their own. What
| right has Prof. Prince to thus invade
the federal constitution and demand
the repeal of a measure, the sole pro-
| tective of Afro-American freedom. in
stead of demanding restitution for
those who have been outraged and
abused in their rights as free men
The Afro-American has not abused
his privilege as a voter, he has not
more than others shown himself un.
worthy of his trust, yet after more
than 35 years it is asked that he shall
be Invested of the right which makes
him the peer of all other men be-
fore the law. Colored men voted in
several of the states both north and
south before the war. But now, says
Prof Prince, Suffrage is not essen
tial to the welfare of the Negro" If
this be true land it is not), then
suffrage is not essential to the well
fare of Prof. Prince. But suffrage
Is essential, because whatever con-
tributes to the peace, security and
protection of one citizen must be
helpful to all. We apply our knowl-
edge and strength to consummate an
ambitious design, but there is a
stronger and mightier motive than
mans that determines results. We
do well when God lends His sanction
but the individual who mistakes the
great principle of truth must ulti-
mateiy fail. unless he bases his ac-
tons upon human justice. We are
all sovereigns and have political du-
ties cast upon us. In the vast sys-
TEN OF involving means and ends
there are two forces at work. God
directs these forces. Recognizing
TINS fact. We are to bear in mind that
nothing is good. nothing is useful,
nothing Is essential and nothing is
favorable to country or its govern
ment unless 1t Is honest and Just.
repeal the fifteenth amendment.
deny the humblest citizen the right
which is his and the right which he
needs and We do 1t at the peril of
public integrity and honor of the
nation.