The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-14

and XIV. of the federal constitutional
amendment secure to all male citi-
zens of the United States (twenty-One
years of age and Over) the right to
suffrage. This blunder is generally
entertained in Europe, even by the
educated classes, and SO common Is it
among the masses Of our own people
that one, knowing better, Is cOnf0und-
ed, especially if he is north of the
river; yet the mistake is 50 easily
seen that how it ever gained currency
is wonder in deed.
The 18th amendment abolished
slavery December 18, 1869, and. as
above stated. the 14th amendment
July 81, 1869, defines citizenship, and
the other one-the 14th, March 30,
1S70)-secures impartial mot unlim-
ite dor Catholic). suffrage between
white and black or as formerly New
Englanded, "the Colored Citizen and
the white man."
Article Ii creates and guarantees
protection to a citizen OF the United
States, which is quite independent OF
state citizenship but it does not give
to such citizen the right to. and use
Of the ballot in suffrage. In this con-
nection | will define that by quota
ton from Kansas City's law-boOk
writer, Henry McClune's McCrary's
Law of Election: "A privilege, fran
chise or trust conferred by the peO-
pie upon such persons as they deem
fitted to represent them in the choice
9 .ct, IN, tho nnv-fn
ance of political duties which it would
be inexpedient or inconyenient for
them tthe people, to perform in a
body"
Under article IA and the definition
above cited, the reader will see that
the granting or comforting the priv
ilege of the ballot is yet the perogative
of the state in which the citizen re-
sides.
Suffrage, or the right thereto, is not
essential to the preservation, under
the law, of ''the rights and immuni-
|. ties" of citizenship If it were, MN
ors, idiots, lunatics, and women, (sav-
ing as to the latter in the four or five
civilized states!). and "sich like" hui
|
brew would have no rights and inn
munities of citizenship under the pro-
lection of our flag. This proposition
stated and laid down by the United
states supreme court that "the enjoy
ment~ Of the elective franchise is not
essential to citizenship" has never
been judicially or legislatively mo-
Tested, not even questioned.
| Nor does the second section OF the
18th amendment, ("being 81 years OF
age and a citizen of the United
States), confer suffrage upon "all male
citizens of the United States, twenty
one years of age" If such were the
case Rhode Island, for example, would
need reconstruction, and in 1865 had
she been below latitude $3.50 north,
she would have enjoyed (?) that ex-
perience, and her property qualitica-
ton removed
Each state, as has been shown, is
the source of authority, and exclusive
~ competent to fix the standard OF
suffrage within it's bounds. But it, in
81 doing, it should exclude from the
right or privilege of the ballot any
male citizen of the United States
twenty-one years of age it (such
state) would lose prOpOrtiOnate ra-
ito of representation in congress.
Texas or Kentucky may, like Rhode
Islani{ adopt standard of qualified
suffrage, and thus legally disfranchise
many United States citizens resident
therein; but in SO doing, Texas OF
Kentucky, as the case might be, woul(
lose mot as penalty, but as a Sc
quence) a portion of her numerical
representation in the iJwc branch o
congress. and in the electoral college
Nor is this right of the individual
: states to fix and determine The qualifi
cations of voters taken away, as man,
/ suppose. by the XVIII amendment
: which provides mereiJ that the stand
ard OF suffrage shall be impartial
There must De no discri.G. nation oI
account of 'r.,c colcr or previou
} condition OF ser, itg,ie," No other re
r striction Is ,mroa,d or can be NJ,
: lawfully required. saving the judicia
r Interpretation OF the terms: Whit
person" and IAN African. or OF Afri
: can descent"
= Any one OF the states. may exelud
I M 81