The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-08-29


responsibility. measured by proper
standards. Is. not subject to criticism
II imparttaily enforced. But an un,
lawful discrimination in the execu-
ton OF the law is different perhaps
In method, but still is fraud, like the
original violence and ballot stuffins
Of previous years. Nevertheless, the
lact OF the step Is a good sign.
| Conscience Stirred.
1T Is an indication that the con-
science Of those who have violated
the law IS In some measure being
stirred, and, with the law on the
| statute book, we may reasonably
hops ultimately the law will become
to be fairly enforced. for we may
reasonably hope for the colored man
of the South, under the influence Of
Booker Washington and his support
ers, will continue to go into bust
ness, 10 go on farms, to possess them
selves of property and to become
respected business members of the
communities in which they live, and
when they exercise independence Of
judgment In respect to political is
sues we may be sure that gradually
the> right to vote will be accorded
them, and they will exercise a far
more useful influence as intelligent
and solid members of the community
for the benefit of their race than the
ignorant members OF their race,
would have exercised had they been
allowed to vote.
In this manner through devious
ways, which cannot be justified or
approved, We may still reach a re-
suit that will square with the re-
qulrements of the federal constitu-
ton and will give to the Negro every
political and economic right, and will
confer great benefit upon the cofored
race. The Negro is necessary to the
South as laborer-skilled and I'M
skilled. The South could not get
along without him. The world over
today there is a demand for labor
and were the Negro to be withdrawn
from the South the difficulties agri-
culture would labor under can hard
ly be overstated The Negro is an
American. He has no other coun-
try that this, and can have no other
country than this, and. called upon
to defend it, he lays down his life
with the same freedom that the white
man sacrifices his Ours is the flag
he loves-the only one he knows.
Our Line Of Duty.
1T is our duty to see to it that
his path is made as easy as we can:
that his progress is an incessant as
proper encouragement can make it,
His best friend.the one that can
do most for him and the one in
many respects who sympathises with
him most-is the Southern white
man. He understands his defects.
He knows his virtues And if the
Negro responds to the opportunities
for Improvement as Booker Wash
ington points them out we can be
sure that he will grow in. the esti-
nation Of his white fellow citizen of
the South, and that the great prob
lem which has burdened the South,
with its race issues, will be largely
solved. 1t is plain that the party
of intelligent Southerners who are
sympathetic with Booker Washing
ton and the evangel he is preaching
to his people is growing in force and
influence
Propositions are made to repeal
the fifteenth amendment. Such
propositions are foolish. The people
of this country would never consent
10 such rctrogradc- step ft-may
be that the fifteenth amendment is
today nullified in many states New
cTtheleSs 1t stands there as a monu-
ment and mandatory restriction
upon state laws and as an ideal to-
ward which politically the South
must work. The fifteenth amend
ment does not require that every Ne
gro should vote. All that 1T requires
IS that he should not be excluded
from voting because he is a Negro.
If nc lacks educational qualifications
property qualifications or any other
qualification that the state may law
fully impose as rule Of eligibility
Tor its voters, then he may be ex-
cludcd, provided that every one else
who lacks similar qualifications Is
equally excluded.
Fifteenth Amendment.
The fifteenth amendment is mere
~ intended to secure him in his po-
Iltlcal rights from race discrimina-
ton BY the states It ia not intend
ed to give him Affirmative privileges
as member Of his race. Its strict
enforcement does not involve Negro
domination, and to permit the ques-
ton now at this late day-40 years
after the war-to control the votes
or intelligent men in respect of is
sues that are living and that affect