Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-08-28

RACE QUESTION A STATE ISSUE.
From the trend Of public sentiment says
the .Egis and InteIIigencer, (Bel Air, Md. } it
now appears to be we'll received fact that
the Democratic State Convention should In
Us platform recognize the question Of race
supremacy as being the cardinal issue in the
campaign Of 1908 This question has sprung
mp only In the past ten years and It appears
10. day to be paramount to all other political
Issues that are engaging the attention Of the
public. Maryland being border State, is
placed 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. Ii there is any one thing that
dearer TO this race than another, II is the
Tight Of franchise, and as fast as this is de-
lied by the different Commonwealths they
,Vill flock to States where the privilege can
% enjoyed with immunity. The Southern
COUNTIES Of Maryland are daily receiving this
nfiux of negro population. Hartford being
70 the northern border OF our lines, has not
ret perceived the gradual increase of the
.egro vote In the same corresponding light
. has Charles, ST. Mary's and Prince
aeorge's. This, however, is only ques
ION oil time and can take place so gradually
nat public attention will scarcely be attract.
i until we are overcome by the force OF
.umbers.
II lie unnecessary TO state that with this
,dfiux oil undesirable citizens comes large
ncrease in crime. The recent necessity OF
new penitentiary for Maryland does not
peak well for the desirabiity of our new
ettlers. A careful census of the present
'ock, which goes to make up Warden Wey.
YRS official family, shows that greater per-
sntage consists of negroes, very few of
hon are natives OF this State. With these
,acts staring us in the face, 1t hardly neces.
AIRY to ask the question "what are we going
, do about III" II is not a time for talk, but
or action.
Every white man In Maryland, who be-
Ieves in the supremacy OF his race, should
END his undivided interests towards elect
ag an Executive and members of the Gen
gal Assembly who will approve of either
sew Constitution, which is probably the
aost desirable, or else radical change of
Ae present existing organic law, that will
ave for its practical result, the disfran-
nisement Of the colored race. We have
aiken occasion several times TO discuss the
dvisibility OF the repeal OF the Fifteenth
amendment to the Constitution of the United
tates, which states that there shall not be
ny denial OF suffrage on account of "color,
sce or previous condition OF servitude,"
1t such action as this is yet too much In
ate of theory to be of any practical benefit
the present generation. II is necessary
4 US to act at once II we wish to maintain
e strong position that should be taken,
ANY times heretofore our columns have
corded crimes Of the most heinous nature
at are directly traceablo TO the efforts of
ose who would make the negro our equal
d Il ls not necessary to enter into any par
ular details. These facts are apparent To
sryone as can be seen by reference to al
st any newspaper that records the general
openings Of the day.
The State Convention will soon be held
] our delegates should bear 10 mind that
even more important TO have our plat.
IN plain and explicit on this subject than
ne choice OF any particular individual
sare perfectly willing to trust the conven.
when 1t comes to personal choice, fol
doubt where there is an aggregation Of so
ny, wisdom will have its sway; but in
Y anxiety for the man, they should not
sight OF the most important question
ch vitality effects every home and family
ain the borders Of our commonw ealth