The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-10-21


as they actually exist. y number of
years ago these columns pointed out
to intelligent thinkers the fact that
the condition of the negro was each
year becoming more and more a
menace to the comfort and security
of the white people, and while at
that time he was still Il fairly good
servant, vet the trend of thought
towards fancietl equality would III
time prove Il menace i'll the shape OF
arrogance and even most brutal
crimes. 1t is with regret that we
find the prediction a reality more
forcibly portrayed by deeds than
could have been impressively pictured
by words. Narrow minded partisans
asserted that political motives were
behind the move, and more and more
kept up the agitation, thus constant
ly poisoning the mind which, dense
with ignorance, as incapable cf the
reasoning of an Intelligent human
being. So constantly has this gone
on that today the negro is both So
cially and financially on a lower
plane than he was at that time.
Then he was at least willing to work,
and the shocking crimes common to
the present period were almost I'M
| known.
There can beno question but what
the root of this is a condition that
induced those who were responsible
for the horrors of the Reconstruction
period to give the ballot into the
hands of the densely ignorant, the
proper use of which they did not
know. Succeeding these trying times
came a number of years when the
negro was not deified, and although
he had the right to vote, his import
ance was not sufficient to encourage
his use for selfish purposes. Then
followed an effort to break the solid
South. Negroes were actually sent
to Congress, and every public office
was either filled by all African or
some white person not whit better.
Things went from bad to worse I'M
til the better class of people found
that they would either have to take
a strong hand in the government or
else leave the land of their birth. The
result was a law that produced a
partial disfranchiscment of the ne
gro, rendered etfectual in its enforce
ment by allowing an intelligent dis
erection to the registers of voters as
to the actual test required in each in
dividual case in order to pass upon
the intelligence of the applicant for
registration. During the past three
years the feeling has been much in
tensifed by the action of President
Roosevelt, who has done many inju-
dicious things that have caused the
bitter resentment of the white people
and brought much more suffering to
the ignorant negro. The above re-
cital is necessary, as we must con-
meet the past with the present so
that the Importance Of the race issue
in this campaign may be appreciated.
White voters should remember that
if successful, the Republican party is
bound by it's word to punish by re-
duced representation every state in
the South that has dislranchised ne
groes. Every vote cast for Roosevelt
is an endorsement Of race equality.
This is the same President who so
outraged our feelings by carrying to
extreme ends the question that is up
permost in the mind of every resident
of the South today. His public acts
are rightfully subject to criticism,
and whatever private feelings he may
have respecting hospitality to guests,
the people of the country naturally
feel indignant when, in the domains
of the White House, which is their
property, scenes are enacted the bad
effects of which yet exist in every sec
ton south of the Mason and Dixon's
line. Our present Executive might
be an ideal ruler in every particular,
yet his public acts in his efforts to
cause the negro to become dissatis-
fled with his present conditions will
condemn him in the eyes Of every
true Southerner who loves his freside
and its companions far more than
any question of public economies or
governmental policy.
1t has been shown that the race
question enters into this campaig On.
Next year the white people of Mary
land will make the effort of their
lives to throw off of their necks the
burden of ignorant negro franchise.
The State vote this fall will have
great influence. 1t will put us in
good shape, should Parker carry
Maryland by a large majority, to
conduct the second campaign against
the negro franchise in a more effect
ual manner. We must win out this
year in order to be able TO pass the
proposed constitutional amendment
which has worked with such good
results all through the South.
SENATOR GORMAN PRESAGES SUR
PRLSES.
Senator German is now taking an
active interest in the national cam
paign and nearly all of his time is
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