The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-15
FRIDAY. NAY is. 1908.
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT

THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT
In the current issue Of Harper's Weekly
Is thoughtful and conservative article
on the recent decision OF the United
States Supreme Court In the Alabama
suffrage case, in which the editor branches
out into a discussion Of the whole ques-
tioa OF suffrage and particularly Of the
thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments OF the Federal Constitution.
AS for the fifteenth amendment. our con-
temporary makes bold to say that in the
present state OF popular sentiment It
could rot now be passed, and recalls the
fact that the State Of New York. which
ratified It, rescinded Its ratification on
January S, 1870, nearly three months be-
fore the adoption of the amendment was
proclaimed. IT Is also bold enough to say
that It deems 1t probable that even now,
at this early stage OF the discussion,
majority of the States would favor re-
peal of the fifteenth amendment, and
that although the majority might 1all
short Of the three-fourths prescribed by
the Constitution, Its moral effect upon
Congress would probably suffice to pre-
vent the enactment of the legislation
needed to make the amendment operative:
Coming then to speak Of the thirteenth
amendment, it expresses the opinion that
nobody desires repeal of 1t, which pre-
scribes that neither slavery nor involun-
tary servitude. except as punishment for
crime, shall exist ip the United States
or in any place subject to their jurisdic-
tion.
Of course, no rational man desires the
repcal of this amendment or desires the
re-establishment OF slavery. We agree
also with our, contemporary in the fur
ther statement that nobody wishes tc
Withhold from negroes the rights and
privileges possessed by white women or
by young white men under twenty-one
years of age. All fair minded men in
all sections Of the country cre willing
that the negro shall be protected before
the law in all his natural rghts-the right
OF liberty. the right to hold property and
the right to pursue happiness But suf-
frage is not natural right; it Is privi
lege conferred.
Nor is there any objection to the four
teenth amendment, except that part of 1t
which provides that when the right to
vote at any election for the choice of
electors for President and Vice-Presi-
dent and so on Is denied to any of the
male Inhabitants of the State being
twenty-one years Of age and citizens OF
the United States. or in any way abridged
except for participation in rebellion OF
other crimes, the basis of representation
therein, shall be reduced in the proper.
ton which the numbers Of such male cit
teens shall bear to the whole number o.
male citizens twenty-one years OF age ir
such State.
That part Of the amendment Is objec-
tionable, and Harpers Weekly admit:
that 1t is as Objectionable to tho North a!
to the South. 1T Is obvious" to quote
Its exact language that this section for
bids any State, whether at the North o.
at the South, to impose any ,educationa
or property qualification for the suffrage
1t is Just as much a violation of thl
amendment for Massachusetts to insis
that a voter shall be able to read as !
Is for South Carolina"
Our contemporary does not believe tina
Congress will ever enact legislation need
ed to enforce this section Of tho four
teenth amendment. what has provoke
criticism" It adds. us the provision re
Having white illterates from the opera
ton Of the law, yet Notwithstanding thi
obvious dissemination against race an
color, the United States Court decline
to give the disfranchsed negroes relief
and herein apparently represents the pre-
ponderant opinion at the North"
II such expressions as these had appear
ed In Harper's Weekly ten or fifteen year
ago, 1t would have made sensation an
northern fanatics, But within the pas
few weeks the New York Sun and tn
New York Tribune and Rev, DR.. Park
hurst and Rev. DIR. Abbott have espresso
practically the Same view, and We take
that they have expressed the sentimer
generally Of the thoughtful men of IN
North. The South can well afford to le
the situation remain as 1t IS but II ougt
not to remain as 1t !s The fifteenth amend
ment Is to all ntents and purposes dea
letter, and It ought to be repealed, 1t
national mistake to permit a sectio
of the Constitution to stand when It ma
become practically imperative
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A PLEA FOR THE GIRLS: