The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-21

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suggest. We are discussing condi-
tions, not causes. The grave condi,
tions that confront our electorate
is race devoid of sufficient en-
lightenment to use a ballot intelli-
gently when that ballet represents
at all times the emblem of SOW
ereignty. What can be the future of
popular government when there are
thousands of illiterate voters. the
ballot Of any one being sufficient
to nullify the vote of our most in.
telligent statesman?
II the negro is capable of selfgov.
ernment then the history of the ages
Is a repetition of lies From Rama
ses to Roosevelt no negro nation has
ever been given to the world. The
race has never established a single
dynasty. 1t has never produced a
single warrior. 1t has never bred a
single statesman. 1t has never formed
| or known government of any char
acter ara the only authority it has
ever acknowledged has been the au-
thority of some alien race.
II the negro is incapable of self.
government then is he capable of
governing some one else? Shoull a
race that has demonstrated its own
governmental incapacity be entrusted
with partial powers of governing its
own and other races? This is the
power given the incapable and iilit-
crate negro race when it is given un-
restricted power of suffrage.
l. Not only is illterate negro suffrage
dangerous at all times, but it is es-
pecially dangerous at the present
time. In certain sections of Okla.
homa the negro race already EQUALS
or exceeds in number the Caucasian
race. In such sections they are al
ready organizing for the purpose of
electing negro public officials They
DO not organize along partisan lines
Ihey do not organize for the ad
NaAcement or maintenance of anv
| political or economic principle. Their
only purpose is to put in power the
most illiterate race of cur cosmopol.
itan citizenship. and a race that
five thousand years of history has
shown to be utterly incapable of self
government. The only section on the
race of the globe where there is
danger to Anslo-Saxon ascendancy is
IN certain counties of Oklahoma.
The danger is also aggravated at
TINS time by the Unprecedented tide
OF negro immigration to Oklahoma
thousands of negroes of the litter
ate class are pouring into the eas5
side every month. They come animat
ed by the hope of negro equality. In,
almost every southern state their
race Is practically disfranchised
ihey are coming to Oklahoma seek
ing the power of suffrage. Negro
agents and negro preachers encour
aged by Booker Washington are dill.
gently canvassing the south. urging
the negroes to come TO Oklahoma
Nhen we consider the number of ne.
groeS in the south we can hardly
cverestimate the seriousness of the
present danger.
10 safeguard the state against the
aforementioned evils this constitu.
tlonal amendment has been proposed
Its ayowei purpose is to curtail Illit.
crate negro suffrage. to prevent ne
gro aSceEdancy. and incidentally to
discourage negro immigration. That
states have the power TO adopt such
measures cannot be questioned That
lhlS identical amendment is legal is
demonstrated by the constitution of
North Carolina, and that the neces. /
'''' iOI the amendment exists Is seen .
IN the iliterate rabble now invading
our state.
Nor can it be established that the
proposed amendment is unfair or un.
Just to the negro. The negro bred /, .
the days of slavery who is not vet
aole TO rea1 or write, has not suffi
cie1t Intelligence to be a competent
voter, The negro bred since the
emancipation who has not learned to
read or write is in no sense worthy |.
OF suffrage power. We would Mace l
an embargo on negro illiteracy. We /,
would place premium on negro in.
telligence. We would helm hin, b,