The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-08-03
LIE NroRo IN po,lrIcs.

The Atlanta Independent, one of
the ablest negro papers published in
the south, is giving It's race soine edi-
torial advice calculated to solve the
so-calied negro problem" in the only
practical manner in which It can be
solved The Independent declares
that the elimination OF the negro
from the national life as a political
factor Is inevitable, and regards his
total exclusion from participation jr
the stairs Of the government" as tho
"fat of fate
The Independent sees that the ne.
grc's acquired unftnesa to enjoy and
appreciate selrgovernment' lies
"threateningly at the basis Of Chris.
tian civilization" declaring;
"The negro must begin at the bot
tom and learn the radiments Of the
responsibility of the ballot before he
car comprehend It's importance or en-
Joy its protection The negro is neitl,-
or responsible for-his ignorance or his
political status. In both cases. he is
the innocent victim Of circumstances
without his control. Every student OF
history must acknowledge that the en-
franchisement OF the negro without
luallhcatiCt was a monumental wrong
indicting more permanent injury upon
the very people congress was seeking
10 protect than all The discriminating
legislation passed By the south In an
effort to correct rhe blunder.
The further the negro removes himself
from politics the more seif-reliant viii
he become. The right TO vote ought
TO be based upon intelligence or prop
erty qualifications. The citizen ought
10 be taught 70 bring something TO his
country In his character either tan.
gible or Intangible. snc ought not TO
expect his country to add everything
20 him. The right to vote primarily
ought to have been conferred upon us
as We acquired intelligence and be-
came competent 10 appreciate the pur-
pose OF the ballot. The right of suf-
frase should have tieen handed us in
such a way as to stimulate develop
ment and progress. None but those
who possess and practice civic virtue
should be allowed TO vote. T.
we would win and maintain perna.
nent place In the civic relations OF our
country, We must obtain II by reason
of what is Inherent IN the man. Il
must come because Of the stun in tho
individual Legislation nor the Re
publican party can not confer Il. There
is no agency without tae man which
can confer Il; q must eyolute from
those possibilities which now lie dor
lnant in the individual"
lt would be difficult % present IN
more forceful OF lucid language the
gist of the whole question OF negro
sunrase--a question made an issue
In the presen; presidential eampaisn
by tho adoption OF the so-oailed race
plank in the Chicago platform,
Here is an intelligent negro by
name B. } Datis. who advances the
same reasons in proof Of the undesir
ability Of universal negro suffrage that
the average white southerner viii give
for desiring TO limit the suffrage priv
ileee 20 citizehs who can read and
write. The amended constitutions Of
those southern states s0ok that view
OF the matter and no man Vhi,o o.
blaek. who properly appreciates th'
responsibilities Of citizenship ans
what Toes torhaise a good citizen. vii
ilEd himself able 10 urge logical non
partisan bbiection. The prineinle Il
fuadamentkl. and IT, is. absDutels
aUind
me view Of this negro editor ia th'