The Washington bee., 1902-04-26

erybody ought to contribute. The
history OF all movements shows
that the few of any race do the
hard work, looking toward reforms,
justice or human rights, and it is
therefore not to be expected that
the masses will contribute. Tue
reason for this is very clear. The
contention in this case is for prin-
ciple, and principles are not always,
if ever, fully appreciated by the
masses.
Hence we might lsok carefully
for some fatal flaw in either the
c4use or the plan proposed by the
Council As to the cause, there
may net be much difference of
opinion. Almost all will admit
that the disfrsnchisement, on ac-
count Of color of bona fide Ameri-
cans, is unjust and violates the
spirit and letter Of the constitution
which guarantees republican form
et government to all of the sta es.
1t Is even conceded by the bitter
est enemy that l. is not right but
maintain that it is expedient. On
the subject of the plan adopted.
there is room for honest differences
OF opinion. The wisdom of the
movement may be considered from
both its moral and political points
OF view. Morally, it ia questiOna
be as TO whether 1t is becoming on
ne part Of colOred citizens to raise
large contributions for the purpose
OF employing whHe lawyers whose
personality is presumed to elicit 3
favorable Opin on from the Suprem.
Court when the merits of the case
can aud ought TO be presented and
ably advocated by lawyer of our
own color. Such movement savers
OF mild + rm of bribery AMI pre-
sumts prejudice on The part Of the
CouIt which can be overcome only
0y = well paid white lawyer. 1t may
be contended by some that the very
act OF raising q large fund by bl .tant
IY advertised means will serve to in
Jure the c~use, when the bare pre-
sentation of the cause by an able,
earnest and eloquent lawyer Cwho
would not ask a large retainer
would serve better purpose. From
a political point of view reasons
/ for wide differences Of opinion ara
more numerous. The cOlored DO
pie are generalIyrepublica Their
are thousands of uu-disfranchised
cOlOrrd VOters-an element consti
tuting the balance Of power in
many states whose power it is to
demand that the cases IN question
b. brought 30 an is6ue:before the Su
preme Court and favorAbly adjudi
Gated there. or that such lesisla
ton shall be enacted as will cor
rect the abuses complained Of
! Wha., if the issue were clearly de
fined and acted upon at the polls
by colored voters? 1t seems el6ar
that the republican party which is
Oscillating between dJ-aOthing and
coWA-dice would become alive to its
own dear interests and through its
proper channels see that justice is
done is faithful erstwhile suppori
srs,
In the absence of the fulfi,ment
OF promise 10 c,rrect the evil.
what would prevent the cOlOred
voters from administering rsbuke
to the apOstaIy of mugwump re
pub leans by curtaIlIng their politi
ca sspiratio rs and allowing them
to stay 1T home? What would BE-
the effect If our best and ablest
msu would divide into delegations
and call upon leaders of the party
and present grievances and demand
redress Why not set the press in
motion. no TO beg contributions,
Out 10 demand that their advocacy
T men for Office will be condition
ed upon promise to use their bes,
affects and best snde ,Vors ts abol
lsh the ntfarious AMI dIscrinina.