Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-28
Franchise Amendme

Franchise Amendment.
There has been considerable talk in the
papers recently about submitting another
suffrage amendment, based solely upon
color, cannot help thinking that it would
be very impOlitic to do so. Since reading
the very able and interesting article by
Mr.. Arthur W. Machen, Jr., which was pub
lished some time last fall, have been of
the opinion that the Fifteenth Amend
ment was never properly ratified by the
requisite number of States But do not
jump from this to the conclusion that the
Supreme Court will necessarily hold it in
valid when the question is brought before
it. On the contrary. am of the opinion
that no Republican Supreme Court ever
will hold it invalid If for no other reason,
for the simple one that for more than 40
years 1t has stood as the recognized law of
the land II is a well-established principle
jurisprudence that all kinds of rights can
be lost by failure to claim them and insist
upon them within reasonable time and
de facto conditions, If supported by power,
are recognized even where there was con-
siderable irregularity in their creation.
We in Maryland have not only never
contested the validity of the Fifteenth
Amendment, but have passively admitted
II by dropping the word white from our
State Constitution. Besides, what is the
sense in storming an intrenched position.
when il can be evaded and rendered value
less by flank movement The amend
ment which we presented last fall seems to
me to have been deeply considered and
admirably constructed to accomplish the
end we had in view. There were several
causes which contributed to its defeat.
First and foremost was the lack of enthu-
siasm and determination to carry it on
the part of some of our own people Sec
ondly was the published interview with
Cardinal Gibbons in opposition to it. Thirdly
was the opposition of some of the liquor
people in Baltimore city and county for
reasons which II is unnecessary to State.
FOurthly was the confusion of the foreign
born vote by the arguments of the Repub-
lican orators And lastly and leastly was
the opposition of certain so-called indepen-
dent Democrats upon the plea that il would
make Maryland one-party State, and so
weaken their control Of the balance of
power.
What assurances can we have that we
can change any of these elements of oppo-
sitiOn is the question we have to consider
in determining whether or not to offer an
other amendment. Can we expect that
our brethren in the northern counties will
ever sufficiently realize the conditions with
which their brothers in the southern and
Eastern Shore counties have TO contend
Can we have any assurance that Cardinal
Gibbons will be more favOrably disposed
or at least remain neutralY viii the
whisky people change their attitude? There
may be some legislation this session which
will affect this question. And will the so
called Independent Democrat be able to
change his spots and see things from
more reasonable point Of view? The only
change which would suggest in the amend
ment which was presented last fall would
be in regard to the forergn-born voter, who
should become naturaliZed after the pas
sage Of such an amendment As the Re-
publican party has made the requirements
for naturalization rather strong, ! think
we could afford to allow all naturalized
citizens and their descendants to vote
But before making even this change would
call conference of a number of leading
foreign-born citizens and, after explaining
our object to them ask them for their
opinion and advice upon it, and IL they
could recommend to their various peoples
to support the amendment with or without
this change, as they would think II prefer
able, would tell them that we have no
wish or intention Of excluding any foreign
born voter who has attained sufficient
acquaintance with our institutions to vote
with intelligence and discretion. This is
the point which we make against the great
mass OF the negro VOteTs-that they have
not and will not acquire sufficient knOwl-
edge to vote intelligently, but always 90
with the Republican party as a matter Of
prejudice. And we wish to compel them
to acquire such intelligent discretion. |
admit that there are many fairly intelli-
gent and conscientious negro men who are
better qualified to vote than some white
men. But | believe most of these would
have retained their votes under the prop
erty and educational qualifications. do
not believe that the educational qualifica-
ton would have been impossible for any
negro to pass, but II would have required
one of considerable capacity for study and
knowledge of public affairs to do 80. There
are such. however, and some of them would
have been able to pass il. did not sup
port the amendment from the standpoint
of party advantage. Indeed prominent
Congressman from North Carolina has told
me they have more difficulty in keeping
that State in the Democratic column since
the passage Of their amendment than be-
fore, and expect ii would be the same
way in Maryland. | know many white Re-
publicans voted with us on it, believe
the passage Of such an amendment would |
be an advantage TO both races, but not an |
amendment based solely on the color line |
or even a property qualification. The pos
session of property is in no way the basis |
of the right to vote. The right to vote is.
in my opinion, the inalienable right Of
every member Of the controlling race with
out reference TO his wealth, and | do not |
think two alien races can exist side by side |
with equal rights. | do not believe many |
natve-bOrn white voters voted against the |
amendment because Of a fear of losing |
their vote under IT, know it was easy to |
convince them to the contrary In our county |
| am stating these matters in the way that |
| see them. in the hope that they will at
least, be taken into consideration and that |
we will not act without seeing things from
all points Of view. Sometimes il takes |
many trials and much labor TO accomplish |
even the best of objects.
j. Abby HENDERSON