The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-07-08
The Suffrage Amendment.
From the Perryville Record.


The two political parties are fairly and
squarely aligned on the proposed suffrage
amendment to the Constitution of the State.
The Republicans are opposed to 1t because
ofthe loss of a political asset they will sustain
by its adoption in the elimination OF the mass
Of ignorant and irresponsible negro voters.
Partisan Democrats favor its adoption be-
cause of the advantage they will derive from
the Republican loss.
The Record very correctly states the reason
why the white men of the Republican party
are opposed to the franchise amendment. The
vote of the ignorant negro is desired that the
white Republicans can continue to ENJOY
office by their votes in some half a dozen or
more counties. 1t is desired throughout the
State for the ignorant negro vote gives the
Republican party fighting chance of success
for State offices.
Just why the negro voter should care for
the privilege of voting is difficult TO compre
bend. The color line is drawn against him
all the time by white Republicans. No negro
is nominated for office. He is ostracised by
his white party associates because he is black
He is treated as an inferior being and unfit to
hold public office. Furnishing fully one-halt
of the Republican vote, candidates are all Sc
lected from the other half, and appointive
offices are filled from the white element OF the
party, also. In the treatment Of the negro
the Republican leaders confess that he is an
inferior citizen; that he is too Ignorant to ill
public positions. Either this, or confess that
there is too much prejudice in the Republican
party against the black man TO make his nom.
iuation for public position wise aud discreet
No matter which is true, and doubtless both
are true, the negro cannot expect any per
sonal benefits from Republican success. In
the thirty five years the negro has been eXer-
cising the privilege of the ballot, and all the
time in support of the Republican party, no
negro has been placed upon Republican tick.
ct in Maryland. Why should the negro. then,
care whether he retains or is denied the priv
ilege of the ballot? Osiracised by the white
element of the Republican party, why should
the negro bother about electing them TO places
with comfortable salaries The ignorant ne.
gro voter is shown no consideration al the
hands Of his white party associates, neither Is
the intelligent, tax-paying and upright negro
The white Republican element places all col.
ored men in one elasS-all unfit for public
position. either by reason ofiucapacity or race
prejudice.
The Record does not accurately aud fully
state the Democratic reason for proposing and
advocating the francisco amendment. The
party desires to maintain white supremacy ~
the affairs Of the State. The majority Of the
intelligent and taxpaying white voters Of the
State are identified with the Democratic party,
aud consequently the mainleuace OF tue su'
premacy Of the Democratic party is one Of
the objects aimed at IN the purpose so clint
nate the ignorant negro from the electorate.
Another object is TO elevate the electorate by
eliminating ignorance. Another object Is 10
stop the immigration to this State Of ignorant,
lawless and vicious negroes from States 10 the
south Of Us Another object is the mantle
nance OF peace and good order in the State and
the protection Of our women from insults and
probable assaults from this class ofimmigrants
The whole, it is true, . bound up Iu the
success of the Democratic party That party
i better fitted to rule than The Republican
because of its larger preponderance OF i"'el'i-
gence. Il Is better able TO maintain good
order. for i, IS under no obligations % the
lawiess negroes. Under Republican rule the
negroes carried things with high hand ia
Baltimore aud there Was an Increase Of negro
Iawlessuess throughout the State. We're the
parties evenly matched in intelligence and
taxpaying obligations. the aitetnps by one TO
disianchise part Of the other would be
wrong. and sabycFsiye OF free government
But no such conditions exist, and the adoption
Of the franchise amendment would elevate the
electorate and tend to higher ideals IN Pabiic
affairs.