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

The declaration of the Democratic county
Republican party and negro suffrage. The
Sentinel felt constrained to say something TO
relieve its 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 contradiction of it in the platform itself
the assertion .'the citizens of Maryland have
enioyed most excellent government since the
accession of the Democratic party to power
in 1867
This is no contradiction of the statement
that the adoption of the proposed franchise
amendment, cutting off the privilege ofvoting
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. 1t 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 a
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 Carollnas.
In a 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. fourths of the white
people of Maryland and pays like amount OF
taxes to support the government With the
negroes outnumbering the whites of the he.
publican party, how long will it be before
they essay to control that party? And who
will deny their power and inclination to do
So if they have IA majority? The negroes to-
day constitute about half of the strength of
the Republican party. The rejection of the
amendment would be an invitation for more
ignorant negroes to come to Maryland, which
would be readily accepted. The control of
the Republican party, and ultimate control
of the offices and affairs of the State, will be
another powerful inducement for the imm.
grafton of ignorant and worthless negroes
from States where they have been denied the
voting privilege by wise Constitutional provl-
sions.
How can it be denied, then, that 'an intel
igent body of 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.
After forty years Of freedom and opportunity
for education, this State still has large body
of ignorant negro voters. The mass 1.-THE 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 So And their numbers are increasing and
will be more largely Increased if the proposed
amendment is not adopted
The time has come to eliminate the ignor-
ant negro as political factor.
The continuance of good government de-
ponds upon it.
Peace and good order in the State depends
uponit.
The protection of the fair women of Mary
land from increased exposure to insult and
assault depends upon it.
The preservation of separate schools for
white and colored children depends upon it.
The avoidance of race conflicts depends
upon it.
All that is necessary and desirable in Or
ganzed government depends upon it.