Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-02-17
PREJUD|CE AGAINST
NEGRO STRONG
IN NORTH
BLUNT DECLARATIONS
FROM SENATOR B0RAH
Accuses So Called Protectors of
Negro of Hypocricy and De-
sign to Defeat Popular EIeC-
ton Amendment.
iBy Morning Journal Special Leased wirsI

tby Morning Journal Special Leased Wirel
| Washington, Feb. i6.-That preju-
dice against the negro is just as in
tense in the north as In the south and
that the north plays the hypocrite in
its contentious to the contrary, was
boldly and bluntly asserted in the
senate today by Senator Borah Of
| Idaho.
Mr.. Borah's declarations regarding
the negro was made at the close OF a
prolonged speech in opposition to the
Sutherland amendment to the senate
resolution providing for the election
of senator's by popular vote. That
amendment would have the effect OF
4 giving congress control of senatorial
elections.
The Idaho senator's pronouncement
on the race question was made in re-
sponse TO the recent assertion of Sem
ator Root that without the sutherland
provision the resolution would de-
prive the southern negroes OF federal
protection in the exercise of the fran
chise. Mr.. Borah dissented from the
New York senator's view, and in do
ing so, used language which elected
congratulations from many senators.
|, Notwithstanding Mr.. Borah's no.
: tice that he would ask the senate to
sit today until vote could be reached
, on the elections resolution, the pro-
ceedings on that measure We're con-
fined to his own discussion of It. He
succeeded, however. in getting con-
cession that the resolution should be
, taken up tomorrow after the disposi-
tion of the routine business.
: Mr.. Borah contended that as the
) resolution stands Notwithstanding It
| gives the state legislators control of
senatorial elections, congress still
would have the right to Interfere IN
, protection of any citizen whose right
of franchise had been interfered with.
The Idaho senator expressed deep
regret that the race question had
, been brought into the controversy,
/, and asserted that its Introduction was
3 intended only to imperil the resolu-
l ton. -
n Il wonder how long the north is go
/ ing to play hypocrite and the moral
coward Oh this question:" he said,
He insisted that a call of the roll Of
the northern states in which there
was any appreciable number Of ne
! groes would demonstrate that the
north had not dealt more lenlently
, with the negro than had other sec
tons.
THE northern states have exhibited
, the same race prejudice that has been
, shown elsewhere" he asserted. In
the north we burn the negro at the
stake and there. as In other sections,
we have our race wars. We push our
negroes to the outer edge of the In
dustrial world. We exhibit the same
prejudices, the same weaknesses. the
same intolerance that is apparent In
the southland"
Mr.. Borah declared that II congress
had power under the existing provi-
sion of the constitution giving con-
gressional control over senatorial cleo
i tions, It should be exercised,
/, 'If that right exists the north has
!, the greater obligation under II because
IL makes claim to it, We assert the
mower but we admit that we have not
had the moral courage to exercise It, =
For himself. he denied the existence
of any such power, and said that he
resented such position because OF
the position In which congress was
placed by IT,
!, The race question. Mr.. Borah said,
had been brought into the discussion
"in the fond hope that II would do
Iservice In defeating the resolution as
a whole"
| had haap tfqa1 for
similar purpose for thirty years.
Concluding, he said
"The negro has been used as a po-
litical football about as long as our
own sense of decency and his de-
lveloping intelligence VIII permit. we
should no longer mistreat him, but we
should have the courage to inform him
as to the real situation, IL does not
lbenefit him to make him the subject
lof our sophomore rhetoric. The col
ored race has advanced to the point
where we well may dispense with the
perennial distribution of soothing
syrup ana give solid food in the
way OF facts. We should tell him
the truth and conceal nothing.
''The negro is beginning to realize
ltnAt the MniIt HliH VI tHt NUN - "
the same race as the white man OF
the south and that In his blood is the
virus of dominion and power. He
should know that while his slave
chains have been broken, the chains
of industry are being forged around
him and viii continue TO hold MIN
lunless he himself can break them,
That badge was placed upon him byl
his Maker and 1t can be removed only
lhv the negro himself, If the aid OF
those who have the courage to tel
him the truth which Is that we nave
the power to guarantee to him the
equal protection of the law ana tel
protect him against discrimination.
TO attempt anything more would pc
rulnoua 10 the colored man and de-
morallzlng to the whole political body.
He must work out the problem under
the constitution.
when the exigencies OF debate are
over, II Will be found that no measure
will be offered In the senate 10 pro-
ltect any supposed right of the colored
man anywhere II those who are In
!terested Will turn to the constitution,
lthey viii find there the universal rule
of equality, the only rule to be APP