The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-11-16
The Solution Of the Race Problem

The d1mcult1es OF the race prob
lem. like most other things In poll
tics. are unduly magnined. In this
there IL naturally purpose, and
those pursuing 1t or actuated by Il
combat the idea of the equality oi
the negro before the law. The prr.
pose IL the repeal Of the fifteenth
constitutional amendment, or at least
partial Acknowledgement, of the ne
gro. Our colored population Is about
100000, and the disqualification
Of the enfranchised part Of II would
be the equivalent or a proportionate
increase of the Democratic voting
power. But the emancipation Of the
negro eQuahxed him legally. And
The recognition that II did by con-
stitutional enactment was merely
confirmatory. The proclamation Of
emancipation conferred on him citi-
zenship, else II had no validity or
significance. Would the men oppos-
ed to the fifteenth amendment repeal
emancipation? To do that would be
quite as sensible and commendable
AS TO repeal the amendment.
Gov. Vardaman Of Mississippi says
that he is a candidate for the nation
al senate chiefly for the purpose of
obliterating the last OF the fifteenth
amendatory article Of the fundamen-
tai law. We do not hesitate to say
that the purpose Is an ignoble one.
The fifteenth amendment is simply
conflrmatory OF emancipation, and
It's repeal would be virtually the re-
peal OF emancipation. II Is one OF
the prime factors or great forces
involved in the solution Of the race
problem, and its abrogation would
multiply incalculably the dif1lculties
OF solution. 1t Is an acquisition, and
very considerable acquisition, to
our great and beneflcent scheme OF
popular government. Surely, we
would not retard the development Of
that. In Its propagation the perpet-
nation Is the solution Of all political
problems whatsoever. In precisely
the measure that this country re-
doubles its powers and disseminates
the spirit OF popular government the
dificulties that beset It will disap-
rear. One of these Is the race trou-
hle. But the negro Is a native; and
anything to the manner born Is easi-
iy susceptible TO prevailing national
Influences.
While the colored people were in
bondage the constitution had no
force as an emancipatory or popular
instrument. 1t was che prime law
of a country that tolerated and fos-
tered slavery. And slavery inevita-
bly, associates with Ii absolutism You
ran not possibly divorce the one from
the other for In the absence OF either
neither Is existent. Ownership In
lavery was absolute, and there was
70 preventive OF the tyrannous pro-
pensities OF the master except the
E'ndly disposition of human nature.
That. of course. We acknowledge.
But that does not do away with the
fact that absolutism Is the concom-
'ant OF slavery. And, whether the
relationship Is that OF man and
his servant or Of an emperor and his
subjects. the condition Is the same.
30 the American people had together
't one time form Of absolutism and /
government. You read
ly see the incongruity and inadmis- ,
,,bility OF that.
Triumph Over AbsOlutism.
One or the other had TO go, and ,
he triumph of the republican party
was the triumph of the constitution
'Ver absolutism right here in the
Jnited States. IL abolished slavery
md enacted the fifteenth amendment
md by these two comprehensive and
'uccessive strokes Of policy did more
or the advancement of the cause OF
popular government than had been
lone at any previous time since the
doption OF the constitution. And
he adoption of the constitution GER
ainly was an unexampled proceed
ug In the sphere OF political liberty.
80 the abolition of slavery and the
amending of the fundamental law
o give II effect were the greatest