The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-11-10
THE FATE OF THE AMEND
MENT.


ment and it will take Its place among
those public movements Instituted to
be of service TO community or Il see
ton that have not survived general
superstition and gross m srepresenta-
ton
The Amendment is defeated. but not
discredited, despite the tremendous
majority sgainst it. With the precipi
tation to the graveyard Of its party's
hopes, 20 also many worthy caudi-
date, who, swept onward by the mad
tide Of popular disfayor, could not bring
either his party influence or his own
superior talents and qualifications suf-
ficiently to the voters notice t. secure
justice
Toe people were blinded by fancied
wrongs and future discreditable posi-
bilities. ami let neither men or things
dissuade them from an action that had
almost been predetermined. The pres
ence of the Amendment controversy
in the campaign almost lost the Safe
for the comptroller. and made the
Legislature SO close, that decisive
vote on any matter can hardly be
obtained.
The friends Of the Amendment were
as stauncu in its support As lis enemies
were overlooking in numbers and all
credit Is due t. the mndsunted spirit
That prevailed in the par Y. il the face
of wholesale d sertlons sui wholesale
distractions. Ii showed the faith of
true rarity men, who firm and fast,
held their colOrS IN the breeze and sent
forth the battle cry of white suprem-
aey". Ii has been answered by de-
cided negative aud Maryland refu> :
10 join hersisterS ate to the sou Inward,
that have eliminated tin undesirable
and decidedly obnoxious tegro frnm
the fauchjse ami ru' into the entire
han : r. the white voter the rtSnon>i-
b.li,ics oi government.
The causes for the defeat are too
recent to need much discussion, but
careful consideration Of them can per
haps have future beneficial effect
What that will be remains for the calm
dispaSSionate reflection Of the Councils
of the party Events 50 shape them
selves sometimes, that good often re-
suits from evil
Although drawn up snd submitted
10 The people hy their own wishes, the
Amendment seemed to a great p ri
OF them, too radical, too uncertain a. d
too msnifestly partisan. The technical
objections OF scores of the legal Paternity
added another point against. which
many Of its early friends took up.
Il; was defensive position the party
took when It Was decided to make the
fight for it, for no practical results could
be given As su example TO the many
sophistries and absurd arguments that
arose al over the State. Many people
were afraid of it. voters did not under
stand il, although hundreds Of columns
have appeared in the press sud well
verSed orators have proclaimed its faN-
tures from the public ros,rum.
Many were afraid to trust to the dis
ereiion Of bipartisan registrars and
Others took advantage Of he chsnee 10
show their snuimosiJy n certsin party
leaders although in hearty aeoOri Win
the purp se otIhe Amendment Tees
sre no. sill by sny means, but il Is easy
TO see ,hat with such objections how
difficult the pathway wss aai how sig
nifcAnt Is the verde; Of the people
The CITIZEN stands where j, did in
the hest Of the coGfic;-iu favor az
white supremacy = sud will slw2ys
favor such = condition IN Maryland.
We believed the ouly question involved
was thAt II The Acknowledgement OF the
ignorant sud venisl negro voter snd
we were convinced tbs, tue Amend
meut would do this effectively With
s united pSriy and success would have
been certain, IS we believe now that
public sentiment is opposed to negro
franchise Il was eertsinly s question
how 70 DO this within eOustjtuJ i0ual
lines and Dem Gratis differed in their
opinions aud backed the opinions by
their votes Strange 10 say many Re-
publieSas vO'ei far the Amendment
aud smids' the juoilAnt Republican
thrOngs could x uo,iced 50 OecSs onSl
detected ind .vidual, who felt more
keeny tue defeat Of the Amendment
than elAtet At the success Of the local
ticket. This was true in many other
counties
The fight is over and the victorious
hosts sre turning the matter over in
their minds. They have done = big
thiug-Slmost IS much responsibility
rests upon them IS would have upon the
Democratic party If the Amendment
had passed. The results will be watch
ed with interest,