The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-27
Hon J. c. NAPIER STATES HIS
POSITION

Hon ]. c. NAPIER STATES HIS
POSITION
natural causes any shortcomings OF
the race as voters, have been seized
upon by his enemies as indications
that he does not believe in equality
OF citizenship.
But challenge any one to produce
a speech on the race question where
IN Mr.. TAFT has not declared Tor
equality OF citizenship.
As the Republican Party OF the
North seems hopelessly divided on
the question of federal Interference
with Southern elections Secretary
Taft believes in trying moral suas-
ION, IN trying to win over white men
IN the South TO the Northern views
OF the suffrage question.
1t made President it is my earnest
belief that he will use the whole pow
er OF his position TO influence senti-
ment in the South favorable to the
acceptance in good faith of the nj
teenth amendment.
He says he is with Prof. Booker
I. Washington. On the question Of
the equality OF citizenship. Prof.
Washington thus expressed himself
IN a letter to the Constitutional Con-
v%ention of Louisiana:
Since the war. no state has had
such an opportunity TO settle for all
time the race question. so far as it
concerns politice, as is now given
IN Louisiana. Will your convention
set an example TO the world in this
respect"
Il want to suggest that no state in
Nha ouch 800, ~ - - II. III
provide an opportunity or tempta-
ton for an ignorant white man to
vote. and withhold the same oppor-
tuRity from the ignorant colored man.
without injuring both men. No state
can make a law that can thus be ex-
ecuted, without dwarfng for all times /
the morals of the white men in the
South. Any law controlling the
bolot, that is not absolutely just and
fair TO both races will work more
permanent injury to the whites than
the blacks
The Negro does not object to an
education or property test, but let
the law be so clear that no one cloth
ed with state authority will be tempt
ed TO p~rejure and degrade himself.
by putting one Interpretation upon it
for the white man and another for the
man"
While | do not persume to advise
you. yet 1t is in my heart to say that
II your convention would do some
thing that would prevent for all
time strained relations between the
two races, and would settle perman-
emily the matter OF political relations !
in one state in the South at least. let
the very best educational opportunity
be provided for both races: and add
to this theenactment of an election
law that shall be incapable of unjust
discrimination, at the same time pro-
viding that in proportion as the ig-
norant secure education. property and
character, they will be given the right
OF citizenship"
Here we have Mr.. W~ashington's
creed, the ideals toward which he IS
striving, and to this creed Secretary
Taft subscribeS.
| have stated above my reasons
for not severing my allegiance TO
President Roosevelt on accoun of
the Brownsville affair. In the main
they apply with equal force TO Sec
rotary Taft. He avows that the
question OF T eacdid not enter into
the matter with him, and his avowal
taken IN connection with the whole |
history of the a Is sufficient for
me.
Ii then the race question is elimi-
mated tand who can prove the pre-
JUDGE asserted), the question is re-
duced TO simply a matter OF error of
Judgment from our viewpoint. and
here II IS, that | take my stand that
all men do for the race is not to be
swallowed up by some one error.
Suppose that study champion of the
soldier whom all OF US so profound
ly honor for his stand. Hon I r
FORAKER, commits an error OF iudg-
ment tomorrow, will il serve to
nulllty a life time OF championship
OF the rights OF the racer Are the
men who serve US TO serve US with
the spectre ever before them III des-
ertlon and abuse If they do not al
ways view matters as we view them:
course where 4 man deserts US on
aecoun OF race or color we are iusti
ned IN deserving him. whatever his
past. But hold that to be far from
proven IN the SaseS before Us.
Nil the man who finds fault with
inns position give me the priyilece OF
gong into his life and choos,n- anv
one incident therein, and agree to be
silent while l ask the pubic 10
Judge his whole life By the nue in
cident OF my selections
Enforcing the Constitution
Kermit me 10 say that | favor the
passage OF the Lodge Election Bill
which looks 10 the enforcement; of
the Fifteenth Amendment. Tina. bill
failed
Al present I see no signs OF a pub