The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-10-27
SENATOR GORMAN ON THE RACE
ISSUE.

Some remarks on the race issue
which Senator German made in his
speech in Howard county, Maryland,
last Saturday are interpreted to mean
that it is his purpose to give that is
sue prominence in the Maryland cam
paign, and. If it is productive Of the
result he expects, to advise his party
to pay a great deal of attention to it
in the national campaign next year.
In his speech the senator took the
position that in the opinion of thought
full white men of both the North and
the South no greater crime was ever
committed in this country than the en-
REIMBURSEMENT Of the negro. He said
that the Supreme Court of the United
States, which is composed almost ex-
clusively of Republicans, recognized
that the safety of the home, the pros
perity of the South, demanded that
the organic laws of the Southern states
must be changed, that the negro should
not be clothed with authority which he
did not know how to use.
Continuing, the senator said: with
an impetuosity hardly worthy OF a
youth in a small community the Presi-
dent of the United States suddenly one
morning brought to the front this race
question, which the people were set
thing orderly and quietly, by in
viting Booker Washington to dine
with him in the White House.
This act was interpreted by the
whole colored race as meaning not
only political, but social equality of the
two races. 1t now confronts us to deal
with this question"
There is no doubt that a remarkable
change has taken place in the North
in regard to the enfranchisement of
the negro within the last few years.
There is no longer an overwhelming
sentiment there to the effect that the
negro ought to have the ballot. AS
Senator German says, the Supreme
Court seems to entertain the view that
he should not be given authority
he does not know how to use, and 1t
is a fact that the Republican leaders
have not thought it advisable to take
up in Congress the question of the dis
REIMBURSEMENT of the negro in some
of the Southern states. AS a matter
of fact very few of the Republican pa
pers of the North are now clamoring
for legislation such as is proposed by
the Crumpacker bill. AS the negro
population in the North has increased
the talk of furnishing those Southern
states which have taken the ballot
away from the negro has decreased.
It is not at all improbable there
fore that Senator German is right in
taking up this issue, which the Presi-
dent so hastily and unexpectedly
forced to the front, and making it
play part in the Maryland campaign,
with the view OF using it in the presi-
Dental campaign. He is a pretty good
judge of public sentiment, and he
would not have taken hold of this
issue at this time if he had not been
satisfied that the people quite gen.
orally agreed with his view of 1t.
The thought is being thrown out
that If Maryland should sustain his
view of the race question, as against
that of President Roosevelt. his
chances Of being the presidential nomi-
nee of the Democratic party would be
greatly increased. 1t is safe to say
that the senator. in taking up the
question, did not consider the effect his
action would have upon his chances
for the presidential nomination of his
party. But he doubtless had the in
terests of his party in view. He is
certain Of course of the support of
those of his own political faith, and
as his political judgment is as good
as that of any other public man in
the country. it would not be at all
surprising If his state should follow his
lead.