The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-04-24

ling the same territory ana nVlng
under the same code of civil and NOR
al laws, is without a parallel in all his
tory. So that in making laws and
providing rules and regulations to
meet this peculiar condition we are
wholly without precedent
Is there any way of solving the
problem? Can anything be done to
correct this stupendous mistake of
our government, so that the best in.
terests of the government and both
races may be subseryed? Many plans
and suggestions have from time to
time been made, but none of them, to
ME, seem feasible or practical.
If the 14th and 18th amendments to
the United States constitution were
abolished tomorrow, it would only
reach the political phase of the ques-
tion, and no doubt emba7rass the So
luton of the other phases. II they
had never been adopted it would he
different, for in them were plants
the seed out of which have sprung up
and grown the most noxious condi-
tions which now exist. But the wheat
and tares have been groking togeth-
or now for nearly half century, and
I have never seen a practical plan
suggested yet, by which the tares
could be removed without destroying
some of the wheat. think, however,
that we can armor-plate the structure
which our forefathers builded so as
to perpetuate its existence.
How shall we do it? Let us go back
to the principles of the founders of
the government. The maintenance of
the government is committed to the
people. They are to do so by the ex-
ercise of the sacred right of fran
chise. This right is a sacred trust
to be used for the purpose OF accom-
plishing that which they sincerely, sa-
credly and intelligently believe to be
for the greatest good and best inter
est of the whole country. No one who
does not accept and exercise the right
of franchise in that light is worthy of
the trust, and it should not be CON-
mitted to their hands. Therefore,
believe that the right of franchise
should be safeguarded by both intel
lectual and moral qualifications. Keep
the ballot out of the hands of those
who are too ignorant to wisely cast it,
as we'll as those who may have the in
telligence out lack the moral .charac-
motives. Then deny the right to ac-
quire and hold lands in this country
to all foreigners who are ineligible to
and to those who are ell
igible until they have become citizens
by due process of law. Deny the right
to become citizens to all foreign rae
es which cannot be amalgamated with
the white race. Limit the length of
time that any foreigners-laborers or
remain in the United
States unless they become citizens, if
eligible, and if not eligible they must
get out or be deported as undesirable |
persons Enact stricter immigration |
avs, so as to keep out all persons
who are not sufficiently educated to !
become desirable citizens, if eligible, i
Or to properly deport themselves dur
ing the time they are permitted to re-
main here if not eligible
Let these things be done, and we
will get back to the hopes and ex-
pectations of the fathers and princi- |
Dia, non homines will control the cast
ing of the ballot.
This paper has drawn itself out so
much longer than / intended that |
will have to reserve what I have to
say about what | consider the escond
biggest mistake of our government,
which l will write up on some other
rainy day, unless you, Mr.. Editor. and
the public think this article one too
many.
am aware that there are some de-
batable points in the foregoing arti.
Gle, but it is in that way that the best
results are obtained on all important
questions.
LAURIE T. IzLAR.