The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-04-15
For Negro Suffrage.

The Association of Democratic Editors of
Maryland, which met at the Eutaw House,
Baltimore, on Tuesday, adopted a resolution
endorsing the proposed amendment to the
constitution designed to disfranchse the col
ored voters. As the amendments the scheme
of the bosses of the party to continue them in
authority, its endorsement by the association
is not a surprise to anybody. 1t is amusing
to read, however, in the resolution referred
to, that the purpose Of the amendment is to
make ''of the electorate of Maryland what it
should bean intelligent and conscientious
body of men, seeking only good government
and the resultant welfare of the people. p
Sentinel.
Our neighbor does the Democratic Editors
Association an injustice in declaring that ''as
the amendment is the scheme of the bosses to
continue them in authority, its endorsement
by the Association is not a surprise to any
body" The Sentinel should know that the
proposed amendment to eliminate the ignor
ant and worthless negroes from the electorate
is in ful6lment of the Democratic platform of
1908, which declared
''We believe that the political destinies of
MARYLAND should be shaped and controlled by
Inc WllIe people Oh tue Oldicf anu HhliO VIC
disclaim any purpose to do any injustice what
ever to our colored population we declare
without reserve our resolute purpose to pre-.
serve in every conservative and constitutional
way the political ascendancy of our race.
Upon this platform, and the still stronger
declaration of Gov War6eld in favor of white
supremacy in this State the Democrats car
ried the election by over 1900 and elected
more than two thirds of the members of each
house of the General Assembly. No such
sweep of the Legislature had been made for
twenty years, and it was the Legislature that
was charged with formulating the amendment
to carry out the platform. fit was scheme
of the bosses" it was overwhelmingly en-
dorsed by the white voters of the State. If
we deduct fifty thousand votes of negroes, the
majority of white voters endorsing white su-
premacy was over sixty thousand.
The Sentinel's article was very careless in
its statement. which viii be apparent to all
persons who keep posted upon political events.
1t shows one thing, however, that that paper
will oppose the adoption of the suffrage amend
ment. Ii would rather retain the negroes on
the registration books than appeal for Repub
lican success TO the Intelligent white citizens
of the State. II would risk the rule of ignor.
ance and venality, rather than forego any
chance of success. If Republican principles
are wholesome; if their application to gov.
eminent is beneficial; if the personnel of the
Republican party throughout the State is of
an order to inspire confidence, why should not
the Sentinel be willing to abide by a decision
of an electorate composed mostly Of intelii-
gent, tax-paying voters
While the negro vote is not large in Carroll
it controls the Republican party. The Senti-
mel knows that the faction that carries West
minister district controls county conventions.
1t knows, further, that the faction that gets
the negro votes here carries the primaries.
While the negro gets nothing for bis assistance
except money and Jersey lightning he en-
joys the holiday on primary day and the sat
isiaction Of being on the successful side. In
most OF the counties Of the State and in Bal
timore City the negroes are the controlling
element, and are always with the machine,
although they require some Involvement"
The Republican machines, State and local,
will strenuously oppose the elimination of the
negro vote by the adoption of the proposed
suffrage amendment, so as to perPe,uate their
control of the party. They will oppose the
proposed amendment, for, with the ignorant
negro cut of from voting, there will be
no hope Of Repu blican success until the party
proves It's capacity to govern with intelligence,
economy and honesty.