New-York tribune., 1905-01-02
THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Pungent Statement of Varying Views.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The life lines are hard for him who poses as
an independent here in America in these
strenuous days. and he is greatly TO pitied. He
has to say unusual things. to take issue time
to time with something other 10 get or the
plane Of the general and show himself peculiar;
advanced thinker for instance. discoverer
that something is not what 1t seems the
father OF new theory about that of which
body can know anything His case appeals more
forcibly to ones sympathy when the victim 10 .
newspaper man. because of the exgency OF the
demand under which he labors 70 make good his
pretensions. and the consequent broader exposurs
to criticism and ridicuIe to which he is subject
Some examples OF this latter class just
somewhat prominently IN view in relation to the
purpose OF our Republican administration 70 make
effective the promise OF its last conventions plat
form touching the disrranchisement OF American
citizens in violation OF the national Constitution.
One OF these. here in town. says that the en-
forcement OF the penalty clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment would be TO the full wicked as Is
the action that demands it, He seems 70 have got
his notion of the Constitution from Kentucky
where. some years ago. reviewer OF the COnsttu-
ton ruled certain constitutional provisions
stitutionaL Another Of your city, says that exist
ing conditions in the South are greatly TO the ad
vantage OF our Republican politicians. and that
therefore they do not obey the Constitutions com
mand And third. also OF your city. approves
very heartily OF the constitutional penalty pro-
vision, but objects TO its enforcement These are
all that I have seen Three independents; three
diverse views II there more there would %
more views. doubt. since TO think any way. 70
speak another way. Just any other way. appears %
be the essence of independence. This last ap
pears to think that IL the South is not bothered
about constitutional provisions she will
around all right ultimately And that may
II that way before IN the old slavery days the
Constitution not much OF anything to the
South. and things came out right at last But the
process Of recthcation was hot from the heart Of
Hades that time. and there ought to be a better
way now.
The fact Is that there Is now only one obstacle
of any consequence IN the way Of establishing the
Constitution and formal obedience thereto through
and ridiculous Senatorial courtesy rule of ths
upper house OF Congress The Republican party OF
the North, voting upon that suffrage plank OF is
platform at the late election. approved OF that as
emphaticaliy OF any other OF it's pIanks and will
support the application OF its principle not in any
vtndictive spirit or with any purpose TO punish
the South" as Mr.. Tlman pathetcally whispers Il
20 his followers. but measure OF Justice 10 the
people OF the North. well to Others. and OF
public safety and consistency and fidelity 70 the
fundamentals of right relations between men and
men upon the earth. The crushing condemnation
but now pronounced upon the slanderers of Mr..
Roosevelt by the citizens OF the North Is ringing
proclamation OF their readiness to enforce the right
when once they clearly what is the right A
Republican administration with that stupeudous
November vote behind II should make IL clearly
derstood that there Is TO be more mOnkeyhs
with the Constitution OF the United States.
Indianapolis. Dec. "a 1904 O. W. SEARS.