The Democratic advocate., 1909-03-19

stated that in his opinion the adoption
/ Of the amendment would ultimately
make the Republican party stronger
than il now Isl
Ex-GOyernor Warfcld.
There, too, are the stirring words
OF Ex-Governor Warfleld IN his In
augural address upon taking Office
in 1904, which show his attitude and
that of the many men who thought
with him at that time IN reference
to proper amendment. Mr.. Wariield
then said
OF all planks in the platform that
which became paramount In the CAM
paign demanded the elimination Of
| the Ignorant. unreileeting. irrespon-
sible voter The result Of the election
demonstrates that a large majority
Of our best citizens favor such eiec-
ton reform They demand that the
State shall be governed by those ciii-
zens who because OF their intelligence,
their heredity and th>lr interest Ia
the material welfare Of the Common
wealth, are best fitted TO practically
and wisely exercise the high duties of
citizenship. This result can only be
obtained by an amendment 10 the Com
stitution fixing n higher standard OF
qualification for the exercise or the
elective franchise.
Negro Development SLOW.
Il quote from these gentlemen to
show the realization upon the part Of
men Of prominence of both parties
that the time has come when the
wheels Of progress can no longer be
arrested 70 walt for tbs doubtful de-
velopment Of the negro to q point
where he becomes a good citizen.
The Republican party has reached
stage now where It's leading men
openly admit chat the negro ii not
al 70 govern IN this Is true, then
they must admit he is not fitted 10
vote. Good citizenship Is the first
qualification Of the voter. II he has
this qualification he Is fitted TO hold
Office. II he has not, he IL not quaii-
ned either TO hold Office or TO exercise
the suffrage. The position Of the Re-
pnbllcAns In this matter IL not one
that can be sustained or justified
As sBaIIasLr
And another argument moro re-
markable and even weaker Is made by
those who admit the negros lack Of
qualification to pass upon questions
OF government and men and who ad-
NIT his vote n controlled solely BY
prejudice. but claim that Il II necea-
sary 10 hold on 10 this vote as bai-
last In order 70 prevent the white
people Of the State from going wrong.
u have read with great interest
the interview recently published In
The Sun from Bishop McSherry. now
visiting Cardinal Gibbons. and whose
opportunities for observation of this
race question have been great indeed
and whose gtatment abandanfly c0fl-
Arms the theory upon which the
amendment IL predlcnied
Men who Drew the Law.
The amendment was 6fawn by 4
committee OF the most prominent ard
distinguished lawyers IN the State.
Many OF them we're men who have
not affiliated with nor been allied with
the organization of the Democratic
/ party and who have always maintains
ed on attitude of Independence Some
Of them were opposed 10 the former
amendment II Is diincuIt thing to
believe that the late Senator Whytc.
senator iHidor RayneF x~Attorney-
/ General William s. Bryan. Mr. william
u. Marbnry, Major Randolph Barton
and the other men on this committee
of equal standing would devise a
measure calculated To injure their
State.
These men are Of the type that
: hes always been animated BY desire
20 serve their State, 20 better ita com
aitl0ns and uphold rs standing and
reputation That they would deliber-
pteiy devise m instrument 10 Injury
Il If inoonnelyable, and do not think
the clalnor Of the opposition viii
persuade the people that they would.
ForeIgn.Born Voters.
eThe amendment has been carefully
drawn. Under Il no nsstiYe.horn cltl-
zen and no foreign-born citizen will
lose his vote. The provisions to protect
our foreign-born citizens, Of whom
we are all proud and who are In
sympathy with our destinies. are aid-
ing In the development cf the country
and iia growth, and helping 10 work
out the great governmental problems.
have been we'll thought out, and they
are fully protected.
Those who are, here now will vote
without being subjected either TO an
educational or property test They
stand upon the same ground as the
native white citizen and their regis
tration Is an unhampered. Those who
come into this country In the future
will also be able TO vote II they can
pass the test provided by the natnraIi-
zation laws enacted by a Republican
administration and which require
them TO speak, read and understand
the English language. III they can do
this, there II no question about their
passing the tests prescribed by the
amendment The welfare and ad-
yancement Of our large and intel
ligent iaboring classes viii be ad-
yanced BY the adoption Of the amend
ment, more, perhaps, than any other
people.
In Democratic Hands.
AS TO the fate of the Issue, It rests
absolutely in Democratic hands II,
in the coming campaign, the Demo-
cratic party win put IFS faith IN such
legislation as characterized the last
session az which were passed the
Corrupt Practices act, the Good Roads
law, the General Corporation law. the
Barratry law; If It will surround the
primary elections with the legal safe
guards demanded by the people and
take the position that the election
laws enacted TO prevent the poasi-
bility Of negro domination and con-
troll shall be repealed In the evcnt OF
the adoption Of the amendment. and
an election law passed for the whole
State so plain and honest In It's pro-
visions as 10 absolutely prevent even