Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-09-21
Be N n 7
ENTHUSIASM
Continued from page fve)

rior assigned to the white race"
REPUBLICANS FAVOR 1T
Democrats would deprive them
Of this franchise, so far as il is DOS
slDle under the federal constltu-
tlon. From the number of Repub-
iicans who have told me they ia
vor this plank, cannot but be-
lieve that they, too, as a party, have
aeen the wrong of ever conrerrino
this right upon them as a class:
and would gladly take it away. only
they have not the courage to act in
accordance with their convictions
AS a matter of fact, in this state
1t is more hurtful to them than to
Democrats. According to the last
presidential vote they are far from
being the balance of power between
the Republicans and Dmocrats. and
the franchise could be taken away
from them without dhanang the
results. But, as between them
selves, they are the balance OF DOW
err, and their corrupt and fraud
ulent use of their privilege to de-
bauch primaries and control con-
ventions has done much to build
up a machine and bring about tn
downfall of those who stand for
purer politics and cleaner methods
and which element will ever feel
it's crushing effect till it joins hands
with the Democrats, and deprives
the machine and its followers of
the vote itself.
RIGHT TO VOTE NOT INFORM
As to the negro himself, the right
40 vote is not an Unborn one. That
right IN anyone is simply one of
policy conferred by the state upon
such of their citizens as wisdom MAJ
dictate, and under the wisdom of
this policy, many are deprived of
the privilege without the shadow
OF objection. ] see before me many
ladies' Of culture and marked intel
igence. Many OF them are in no
manner DESTROYS OF elective fran
chise But it does seem to be the
very Irony of politics that our wo-
men, who stand for honesty ana pu-
rity and clearly methods. are de-
barred from taking part in the af-
fairs Of the state. while the negro.
many OF whom have not the slight
est conception Of its purpose or
use, are permitted to debauch our
ballot and control our policies.
II Is the belief Of Democrats that
the negroes. with a few exceptions.
are not yet fit to appreciate and
rightly exercise privilege that
took the white race thousands OF
years TO win and enjoy. And. SO
believing they do not hesitate to
stand for their belief.
THE JIM CROW PLANK
The Jim Crow" car is one of ne
cesity if we care for the comfor'
Of our wives and daughters who are
compelled % travel IN parts Of thil
state where ilIterate negro populs.
ton predominates, and whore they
look upon It as an evidence of their
freedom and social equality to force
themselves wherever undeslred. and
where, from these Gauss. bad blood
and friction are constantly arising
between the races
As a result OF this, separation oi
the races while travelling has be
come necessary, just as it has in
your barber shops. in your hotels
in your opera houses. IN your
churches and u your schools. where
it has become am accepted condition
u .s better for both races and IS
not desired by tine more educated
negro.
WHAT rs NECESSARY
But Republicans say that thes,
D.anks cannot be- made effective ot
carried into laws In reply ] sa,
that should the Democrats gair
control of Dol. legislature. they caf