Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-03-04

international obligations in this re-
spect. BY proper legislation We
may. and ought to. place in the
hands of the federal executive the
means of forcing the treaty rights
of such aliens in the courts of the
federal government. 1t puts ouI
government in a pusilanimous posi-
ton TO make definite engagements
to protect aliens and then 10 excuse
the failure to perform those engage
ments by an explanation that the
duty TO keep them is in states oi
cities. not within our control. If we
promise, we must put ourselves in 2
position to perform our promise. We
can not permit the possible failure OF
Justice due TO local prejudice in any
state OF municipal government TO ex'
pose us 10 the risk OF war which
might be avoided II federal iurisdic-
ton was asserted by suitable legis-
lation by Congress and carried out
by proper proceedings instituted by
the executive courts of the national
government.
look forward with hope to in
creasing the already good feeling be
tween the south and the other sec
tions OF the country. My chief pur-
pose is not TO effect change in the
electoral vote of the southern states
That is a secondary consideration.
| What / look forward 10 Is an increase
in the tolerance of political views OF
all kinds and the advocacy through
out the south, and the existence OF
respectable political opposition in
every state; even more than this. to
an increased feeling on the part OF
all the people in the south that this
government is their government and
that its officers in their state are their
officers
The consideration of this question
can not, however. be complete and
full without reference 10 the negro
| race. its progress and its present
condition. The 18th amendment Sc
cured them freedom; the 14th
amendment due process OF law, pro-
lection of property and the pursuit
of happiness, and the 18th amend
ment attempted 10 secure the negro
against and deprivation of the priv
ilege to vote. because he was a ne
gro. The 18th and l4th amendments
have been generally enforced and
have secured the objects for which
they were intended. While the 18th
amendment has not been generally
observed in the past. it ought TO be
observed, and the tendency OF south
ern legislation today is toward the
enactment of electoral qualifications
which shall square with that amend
ment The domination Of an ignor-
| ant. irresponsible element can be
prevented by constitutional laws
which shall exclude from voting both
negroes and whites not having edu-
cation or other qualifications thought
10 be necessary for a proper elector-
ate. The danger Of the control OF
Ian ignorant electorate has there
fore passed. With this change. the
interest which many of the south
ern white citizens take in the wei
| fare of the negroes has increased
| The colOred men must base theiI
hope on the results of their own in
dustry. self-restraint. thrift and bus
mess success. as well as upon the
aid and comfort and sympathy which
they may receive from their white
neighbors of the south. There was
a time when northerners who sym
pathized with the negro in his neces-
sary struggle for better conditions
| sought TO give to him the suffrage as
a protection. and 10 enforce its ex-
| ercise against the prevailing senti-
ment of the south, The movement
| proved TO be a failure. What re-
mains is the 18th amendment TO the
constitution and the right to have
statutes of states specifing qualitica-
tions for electors subjected 10 the
test of compliance with that amend
ment. This is great protection to
the negro. II never will be repealed,
and it never ought TO he repealed.
| If it had not been passed, 1t might be
difficult now 10 adopt it; but with II
In our fundamental law, the policy
| of southern legislation must and will
tend TO obey II. and so long as the
statutes Of the states meet the test
| of this amendment and are not other
wise in conflict with the constitution
| and laws of the United States, il Is
not the disposition or within the
province of the federal government
| TO interfere with the regulation by
southern states of their domestic af
| fairs. There is in the south strong
er feeling than ever among the in
telligent, well-to-do and Influential
element in favor OF The industrial
education Of the negro and the en-
couragement Of the race 10 make
themselves useful members of thu
community. The progress which th'
negro has made in the last fift,
years from slavery, when its statis
tics are reviewed. is marvellous, anC
| il furnishes every reason 10 hop