New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-24
THE RACE ISSUE IN MARYLAND.

THE RACE ISSUE ~ MARYLAND.
Enlightened sentiment in Maryland must de-
plore the continued efforts Of Democratic man
ayers aud platform makers to inject the bit
ternesses Of race prejudice into politics. Two
years ago. when Mr.. German trying to re
cover his seat in the United States Senate. the
cry was raised that white supremacy in the
state was seriously threatened 10y the inclu-
sion within its electorate of 4 negro element
roughly estimated at % per cent The rights,
immuaities and ideals Of two hundred and fifty
thousand white voters. it was asserted. were
actually endangered by the political domination
Of fifty thousand blacks.
The hollowncss OF this contention was appar
cnt As the Democratic managers were them
selves aware Maryland never had had. and
never could have any other than a white
mans government" Its white population has
been steadily outgrowing its black population
for The last ninety years. In 1910 the negro
percentage :3S22; in 1900 it had fallen TO
19S. During the decade from 1899 TO 1900 the
white population increased 1J.2 per cent and
the negro population only per cent Besides,
under the Democratic election law of 1901
thousands of former negro voters had been
stripped Of the franchise. and the negro electOr.
a. such, had been reduced 10 q minimum Of
consequence and influence in State politics.
Mr. German won his Senatorship. and the dis
qualifying election law which helped him 10
success remains on the statute book. At the
election Of 1901 1921 votes were cast for
State officers. Probably not more than $4,000
or 10000 Of them were cast 10y cOiOred voters.
Yet the Democratic State Convention held last
week IN Baltimore made the chief feature Of
its platform this disingenuOus and dishonest
declaration:
We believe that the political destinies of
Maryland should he shaped and controlled by
the white people OF the State. and while dis
claim any purpose to do any injustice whatever
10 our colored population. We declare without
reserve our resOlute purpose TO preserve In every
conservative and constitutional way the pollti-
cal ascendency OF our race
1t is easy. Of course. to account for this per-
sistent attempt to kindle race animosities and
passions and vitalze the foolish spectre Of
negro supremacy For eight years past the
Maryland Democracy has been in open conflict
with national Democratic leadership and ma
tional Democratic policies. 1t has shrunk from
acknowledging and defending the issues on
which it has been forced TO make the last two
campaigns for the Presidency. 1t has had 10
dodge its own record and its own alliances in
appealing for support for State and local can
dGates. And a convenient substitute for
genuine issues it has chosen to exploit this
humbug peril" 10 belabor with passionate up
roar and vehemence this dark skinned man Of
straw
1t will be observed that the Democratic plat
form threatens no outand-out disfranchise-
ment Of the negro voter. II lacks the courage 10
announce a policy which it now only vaguely
hints az. Ii viii not openly range itself with
the Southern wing of the Democracy i'm de-
nOuncing the Fifteenth Amendment to the Con-
stitution and agitating for its immediate repeal
1t viii not even frankly tell the negro that he
has no rights under the Fourteenth and Eff
teenth amendments which white mans gov
eminent" is bound TO respect The Maryland
platform makers disclaim with one breath amy
purpose to do any injustice to our colored
population" Yet with another they blow the
flames Of race prescription and race hatred,
and boast their sympathy with a policy
which logically neccssitates dsfranchisement
for every black man and the setting up in
Maryland Of the South Carolina or Mississippi
white primary" plan.
The Democratic party I'm Maryland has done
Itself 30 credit i'm launching this "anti-ncGrO
domination crusade. InSincere. hypOcritcal.
contradictory, its real meaning is not u be mis-
taken. The race issue is n stalking horse,
blind u cover the Democratic organizations
poverty in genuine ISSUES and ideas. 1t is the
last refuge Of a reckless and desperate partisan
next November viii administer 10 this fcti-
tiouS and cowardly issue the death blow it so
richly deserves.