The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-08-12
The Sentinel's Analysis.

The declaration of the Democratic county
convention last week was solid blow to the
Republican party and negro suffrage. The
Sentinel felt constrained to say something 10
relieve It's force. but its careful analysis
was failure. 1t says, in effect, the ellimina
ton of ignorance will not inure to stable and
intelligent administration of affairs, and cites
as a contradiction of it in the platform itself
the assertion 1.-THE citizens of Maryland have
enjoyed most excellent government since the
accession of the Democratic party to power
in 1861"
This is no contradiction of the statement
that the adoption of the proposed franchise
amendment, cutting off the privilege ofvohng
from large body of Ignorant negroes, is
prerequisite to stable and intelligent admin
istration of affairs.
The Democratic party is composed almost
wholly ofintelligent white voters. has been
fortunate for Maryland that the party has been
in power nearly continuously since 1867. The
one blot was the Lowndes administration,
which was held in check to some extent by
Democratic Senate and the wholesome laws
passed by Democratic Legislatures.
The large ignorant vote, as the Democratic
county convention declared, is an ever present
menace to good government. In recent years
the Democratic party has had hard struggle
to overcome it and insure good government
peace, order and progress. That body OF Ig-
norant voters is being constantly increased by
immigration from Virginia and the Carolinas.
In short time, if the amendment Is not
adopted, the negro vote, combined with one
fourth OF the white voters of the State.
will be able to more seriously menace
the ascendancy of the Democratic party,
which embraces three iourIbs Of the white
people of Maryland and pays a like amount of
taxes to support the government With the
negroes outnumbering the whites of the Re
publican party, how long will it be before
they essay to control that party? And who
will deny their power aud inclination TO do
SO. if they have a majority? The negroes to.
day constitute about half of the strength Of
the Republican party. The rejection Of the
amendment would be invitation for more
negroes to come to Maryland, which
would be readily accepted. The control OF
= the Republican party, and ultimate control
of the offices aud affairs OF the State, will be
another powerful inducement for the immi'
grafton OF ignorant aud worthless negroes
! from States where they have been denied the
voting privilege by wise Constitutional Provi-
sions.
How can it be denied. then, that IAN intel
gent body uf voters Is a prerequisite to stable
and intelligent administration Of affairs
That assumption would be correct If there
were no negroes IN the State. Maryland and
all other States foster public education, Why
Simply TO have an intelligent body Of voters,
that government may be intelligent and wise
Alter forty years Of freedom aud opportunity
for education, this State still has large body
Of ignorant negro voters. The mass olthe ne
gro race have not improved their opportunities.
They have made little or no advancement, men
tally or morally. They have no inclination to
do 50. And ,heir numbers are increasing, aud
will be more largely Increased If the proposed
amendment is not adopted
The time has come to eliminate the isnor-
ant negro as a political factor
The continuance Of good government de.
peuds upon IT,
Peace aud good order in the State depends
upon il.
The protection Of the fair women Of Mary
land from increased exposure TO iusult and
assault depends upon IT,
The preservation Of separate schools Tor
white aud eolored children depends upon it.
The avoidAnce of race conflicts depends
upon it.
All that is necessary and desirable ia or.
gauized government depends upon t.