The broad ax., 1913-02-15
THE DEMOCRACY OF LINCOLN.
concluded from page II

oeraey of Abraham Lincoln, and how
far the sins which they load on
the back of popular government in
America are in reality the sins of those
who are determined TO thwart any ex-
preston of the popular viii. Some Of
us have seen the deep-seated disease
of irresponsible oligarehy in the power
of corporate wealth, and the ruthless
manipulation Of government by shrewd
and conseienceless men. But I want
tonight to call attention to another
wide spread houting of democracy,
which you are disposed to ignore be-
cause you think it merely a local and
racial issue which can be settled with
out reference to the main problems Of
democratic government in America. II
this were. so, I would be silent and
taking my place inside the segregated
group work solely from within. But
that this assumption is the widest Of
wild dreams want to prove to you by
a few simple figures, in order that you
may realize that what is often called
simply q Negro problem is the same
problem of American Democracy at
which Abraham Lincoln worked, and
which still fronts us, and win front rs
until we settle it right.
We have just passed through a presi-
Dental election, and after long delay
the official returns are in. 1 invite
your attention to q few Of these figures.
In that election the State of Alabama
and the State of Minnesota each hav-
ing about the same population, each
cast twelve electoral votes. But while
it took 100000 voters to cast these
votes In Minnesota, it took only 100,
900 to cast the same number in Ala
hama. Florida and Maine each had
six electoral votes, but $4,000 Florida
voters exercised exactly the same pow
er as 10000 voters in Maine. Again,
Georgia and New Jersey each have
fourteen electoral votes, but it took
over 100000 voters in New Jersey to
equal 10000 in Georgia. So, too, less
than 10000 voters in Louisiana east the
same number Of electoral votes as 365,
900 votes in Kansas, while s., 900 voters
in Mississippi had as much power as
215,0O0 in Rhode Island and Oregon.
But you are, of course, interested in
your own state, and you win doubtless
be pleased to know that whereas it
Requires in the state Of Abraham Lin.
coin 100000 voters to cast its cleo
toral vote that 1t takes only 224.O0O
voters 10 WELD exactly the same power
in the state Of Governor Blease and
Mr.. Tillman, the baiIiwiek Of Senator
Hoke Smith, and the state Of Florida
together.
Outside Of any question Of color.
rsee or slavery this is a condition that
10 democracy can allow to 70 on and
Hive. When eight states deliberately
50 many Of their White
i1d Black citizens that an oliearehy Of
les thar . million voters can WELD
the same power as nearly three million
voters elsewhere in the country, the
very foundations Of democracy are in
danger. When the Minnesota voter
places one ballot in the box the Ala
hama voter places three. II takes sew
en- New Jersey votes TO balance two in
Georgia, while in Louisiana two men
can ont vote nine in Kansas.
DO you realize that you cannot ap-
peal to the American people todayi Do
yoa realize that between yOu and the
sovereign American democracy stands
this entrenehed oligarehyi Do yCu
realize that one nan IN the former
slSYe states has more politieal power
than any three in Illinois, and Is at
the sane time, through no fault Of his
oEz, and becaase Of the slave system
Of his fathers, less eompetent BY edu-
cation and tradition to judge the great.
e. human issues Of the dayi
his rotten boreugh system Is dss-
tfoying the very vitals Of Amsrseal
demoersey. II Is giving TO the Least
prepared section Of our country power
over social leEiaIatioa which Is simply
0Esrwhslming. And shove IN, It is
mski6g . truss appeal 20 tie American
psapls in great gaestions 81 right and
humanity ainealf and of5sa Impossible.
Il Is bloskine popular edueation, eneour-
aging tie aseradation IL laboE, and