The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-23

Panublicans Abandon Negro Suffrage
The Constitution feels bound 10 con-
graduate the republican leaders, IN
Guiding the president, Congressman
Dick and Crumpacker, upon falling III
with the German and general southern
contention for white supremacy III
these states where only the negro sui
frage is a source of danger to good
government
The only difference left between
democrats and republicans is one Of
methods. The general principle that
the negro ought TO be politically elm
mated is admitted in the bills intro
duced bv Messrs. Dick and Crumpack-
err from the republican side of the
house.
General Dick wants an investigation
to show what number of congressman
the states Of the south would be enti-
tied to unon the basis of a strictly
white suffrage and Mr.. Crumpacker
wishes. BY his bill, the consent on the
part OF the republican party that the
negro shall be DISTINGUISHED. provided
the south gets no representation in
congress on his account.
With them the question is not one
OF defending the right Of the negro to
vote because he is both a negro and
republican, but the question is how
to consent 10 his Acknowledgement
and get something in return for it
that is, . larger PRO rata representa-
ton from the northern and western
states on q pro rated white basis.
Here in the south we resist that
tricky method OF republican repudia-
ton OF negro suffrage, Since these
republicans have come to the point
where they consent to his disfranohise-
ment. they should 60 back to their
own urine mistake in the matter and
consent TO the abolition OF the consti-
tutional amendments that have caused
the trouble and have HOW so greatly
been condemned by high republican
authorities,
The investigation sought by General
Dick should not be resisted. however,
by democrats. 1t is Or best and only
chance TO pet the real facts and fig
ures OF the negro suffrage question
before the american people. If its
SCOPE is made wide enough to admit
what the south can offer of the facts
which inhere in negro suffrage, its
menaces to honest and safe govern
ment and its uselossness to every
beneficial and enduring interest Of
the negroes themselves, the inyestiga-
ton should not be feared-provided,
of course, it is to be conducted in q
strictly impartial and non-partisan
manner
So far as the Crumpacker bin Is
concerned, it is q brutum fulmen.
/ Congress viii never pass it. 1t would
take the wisdom and alacrity OF the
angels. good or bad, to enforce it.
Given it's full effect, it would make
! gaehes In the shields OF northern
states quite as broad and deep as in
+ southern escutcheons. When it comes
into the arena OF debate it Will be rid
died with such revelations OF its folly
as will make its author ashamed Of his
own inanity.
But the main point TO be established
by either or both the measures is now
inescapable 1t means the mailing Of
the republicans to tie issue that since
they cannot get political profit out OF
the ne gro vote they are willing TO sup
! press it and only ask in return that
/ the democrats 3e the south also forego
any profit from it, But to do this will
require another amendment to the con
stitution taking away the rights OF
states to be represented in the house
OF congress on the basis Of inhabit-
ants. Can that be done? Will even
Massachusetts. Ohio and Indiana con
sent to it? Ne think not.