The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-03-28

Many Gathered Last Night
to Hear Address of
Issues of the Day.
THE SPEAKER WAS
LOUDLY APPLAUD E
Delivered an Excellent 4
dress, Touching Upon
Fifteenth Amendment
the Constitution = Speech
Interrupted by News of
the Burning of His Home.

Hon. John S. Beard was given
grand ovation last night at Seville
square, when he made his first adj
dress to the people OF his home city.
in advocacy of his candidacy for the
United States senate, and that it
was well received was 4tteSted by
the applause at frequent intervals,
and especially so when the speaker
appeared upon the stand and was in
troduced to the large number who
had assembled TO hear him.
Mr.. Beard, who is an eloquent and
forceful speaker under all circuni-
stances, was apparently at his best
last night, and those who heard his
address stated it to be one of the
finest efforts. ever listened TO in Pen
sacOla. He dealt with the fifteenth
amendment to the constitution in an
able manner. and much regret was
expressed when he was unable to
conclude his speech owing to the
fact that he was notified while speak
ing of the fact that his home on the
bayShore was being destroyed by fire.
Mr.. Beard was introduced by Hon.
r. Pope Reese, and he spoke in part
as follows:
Fifteenth Amendment.
Upon questions in political cam
paigns it is necessary for a political
aspirant TO speak of himself a great
deal. This is naturally. 10 a modest
man, very distastful Hence. shall,
as much as possible. eonfine myself
to principles and facts concerning
what | will do in case of my election
to the United States senate.
You have all, no d6IIbt, heard me
talk before OF the frteentn amend
mi NJ he Tni fcsH mt
ton. This amendment gives the men
of the. country the privilege to vote.
Irrespective of their color, or race, so
long as they are citizens of the
country. Now this amendment is OF
more Importance to the southern
states than is generally conceded.
The states should have the supreme
right of regulating who should vote
and who Should not vote, both nation
ally, and in the affairs of the state.
"The fifteenth amendment was
made without the consent of the
southern states during the days Of
the reconstruction. This amendment
is, of all things, the most to be avoid
ed by the states where negroes have
homes. Here we have the most OF
the negroes and know what they will
do and what they are capable OF
doing. And, l think, that l voice the
sentiments of the true democrats of
the south when | state that in my
opinion, the negro is not capable of
using that prerogative Of citizenship
that belongs to the white man.
Amendment Not Legal.
THE amendment is not legal /
have investigated the question as
thoroughly as l am capable of inves-
tigatinS any question. and when |
state that the action of the national
bodies was not valid. it is no mere
contention of mine that has been con-
jured up out of a moments notice.
There were only eight OF the
states of the south represented in
congress when the bin was passed
this bill that robbed the states of the
south and some of the north of their
choice in the matters of their own
concern. The states of New England
We're the only possible ones that we
are sure the measure pleased. There
was in the senate only &c members
and out of these there were only 80
that voted for the passage of the
measure Then besides, this amend
ment TO the national constitution can
be made valid only when II has
passed through three-fourths of the
state legislatures. This measure was
only passed upon by 10 Of the states.
These facts ! have gotten from the
Congressional Globe, whose assertions
the supreme court of the nation has
said that no man shall go behind
Governed By Men.
Government among men IS that
thing which binds them into one and
protects them from wrongs, both from
the outside and from the lawlessness
Continues on Page Two.)