The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-07-31

the term of years that is prescribed
by the constitution ofMaryland that
they shall serve.
THE RACE QUESTION A STATE IS
SUE.
From the trend ofpuhlic sentiment,
it now appears to be we'll received
fact that the Democratic State Con-
vention should in its platform
recognize the question of race supre-
macy as being the cardinal issue i'll
the campaign of1903. This question
has sprung up only in the past ten
years and it appears today to be
paramount to all other political is
sues that are engaging the attention
of the public. Maryland being a
border state, isplaced in somewhat
peculiar position. During the past
six years, State after State, south Of
US, have enacted laws that have for
their object the practical humiliation
of the negro vote. If there is any one
thing that is dearer to this race than
another, it is the right of franchise,
and as fast as this is denied by the
different commonwealth they will
flock to other States where the privi-
lege can be enjoyed with immunity.
The southern counties of Maryland
are daily receiving this influx ofnegro
population. Hartford being on the
northern border of our lines, has not
vet perceived the gradual increase of
the negro vote in the same CORE
spending light as has Charles, st.
Mary's and Prince Georges. This,
however, is only question Of time
and can take place so gradually that
public attention will scarcely be at
tracted until we are overcome by the
force of numbers.
1t is unnecessary to state that with
this influx of undesirable citizens
comes a large increasein crime. The
recent necessity of a new penitentiary
for Maryland does not speak we'll for
the desirability of our new settlers.
A careful census of the present flock,
which goes to make up Warden
Weyler's official family, shows that a
greater percentage consists ofnegroes
very few of whom are natives of this
State. With these facts staring us
in the face, it is hardly necessary to
ask the question "what are we going
to do about it," 1t is not a time for
talk, but for action.
Every white man in Maryland, who
believes in the supremacy OF his race,
should bend his undivided interests
towards electing an Executive and
members of the General Assembly
who will approve of either a new
Constitution, which is probably the
most desirable, or else a radical
change of the present existing organic
law, that will have for its practical
result, the Acknowledgement of the
coIored race. Wehave taken occasion
several times to discuss the advisi-
bility of the repeal of the Fifteenth
to the Constitution Of
the United States, which states that
there shall not be any denial Of
suffrage on account of "color, race or
previous condition of servitudc," but
such action as this is yet too much
in a state of theory to be of any
practical benefit to the present gen.
grafton. 1t is necessary for us to act
at once if we wish to maintain the
strong position that should be taken.
Many times heretofore Our columns
have recorded crimes of the most
heinous nature that are directly
traceable to the efforts of those who
would make the negro our equal
and it is not necessary to enter into
any particular details. These facts
are apparent to everyone as can be
seen by reference to almost any news
paper that records the general hap
oenings of the day.
The State Convention will soon be
1eld and out delegates should bear in
mind that it is even more important
to have our platform plain and OK
olicit on this subject than is the
:hoice of any particular individual.
We are perfectly willing to trust the
when it comes to a per-
sonal choice, for no doubt where
here is an aggregation Of SO many,
wisdom will have its sway, but in
heir anxiety for the man, they should
lot lose sight of the most important
question which vitality effects every
home and family within the borders
Of our commonwealth.