The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1915-07-09
A. Mercer Daniel Writes
on Supreme Court
Decision
GIVES VERY INTERESTING
VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT
Says Decis;sa d Fer-reaching and
Coming ~ It Dses, From This
Great Tribunal, Its Force
Must be Recognized.

1 lne supreme OOurt mas at last made
the fifteenth amendment TO the Consti-
tuition part of the Constitution in fact
rne decision was that it vas q violation
IT the fifteenth amendments for a state 10
select arbitrarily date, such rs 1856,
and provide that per~ons not qualified 70
vote on that date or whoee ancestors were
not so qualified are barred from voting or
must submit to voting tests not required
of others.
The court further held that election
officials who sought to enforce such claus
es could be held amenable TO law for de-
nying person q right to vote and such
''fhcials c5uld not disregard the fact that
the fifteenth amendments had stricken ont
II state law the word white As quail
ihcation of voting.
The decision is far-reaching and COM
ing as il does, with the unanimous ap-
provsl OF this great tribunal, its force
must be recognized.
The Press of the country is taking va
rious views of the decision and its effect.
The New York Times takes the usuai
narrow prejudic~d view is generally takes
On questions affecting the Negro. The
Southern papers in general have not bean
50 bitter but show q tendency % under
estimate the real value OF the decision.
rhe Baltimore American in an editorial
full Of that spirit of Justice, that has al
ways characterized this paper. says:
The Supreme Court has given a sting
ing rebuke to those who sought to destroy
the effect Of the Fifteenth Amendment to
The Constitution, whereby race, color or
previous condition OF servitude was de-
clared to be no bar to the exercise of the
voting right"
The New York World in speaking of
the decision says: cit covers every law.
constitutional or statutory, in every state
south of Mason and Dixon's line in
which manhood suffrage has been denied
and the color line drawn. 1t is more than
a mere assertion Of right IL holds to
responsibility under the law all Who de-
ny the right"
''The Republic is to be congratulated
npon having at last Constitution that
is alive in all it, parts"
All the Washington dailies made favor
able comment on the decision in their
editorial columns.
The country will welcome this decision.
The South will be slow To adjust itself 70
the new situation. Tbere will be many
new forms of disfranchisement 70 be put
upon the statute books but il siIl be the
iuty of the Negro and the just white peo-
pie Of the South to fight all attempts 70
again take the ballot from the Negro.
The Negro must stndy this decision
md conduct campaign Of education
tmong his own people, A. n his rights
Inder il. There must be organizations
70 effect this and every effort must b.
put forward 10 thvsrt any attempt 70 de-
~ the right 10 vote 70 any mao becau-e
| II his color
Z Above all the Negro must 20 70 the
poll and vote. Where his right is not
questioned, ~ in West virginis, he must
ice the ballot 70 send men 70 Congre-s
Who will fight his cause Where he i
denied the right By trickery. that which
= 30 often practiced 10 the south, he
must protest and carry his protest n the
limit. The court Of last resort must be
sought in al esse- necessary.
In seeking relief from q great political
wrong the Negro must not be discouraged.
The full benefits of the decision may no,
BE- derived AZ once bot they are sure n
come. The 6rst effects will be noted in
the vtstes Of Maryland, Virgins, Ken.
tucky and Oklsboms and will gradual,
extend farther south.
In many Of the state Constitution.
here are educational tess for voters
The court held this "a b. proper II ap
oiled 10 all. The Negro i not afraid %
an edncstionsI te-t II that te~t = justly
administered. The q. :. Osnsus report
show illiterscy among Negroes has de
erased enormously and there h littl.
doubt that In an educstionsl te~t fairl,
imposed they will he The equal OF IN.
southern whites.
. Every American should feel proud tbsi
ne nov have q Constitution for IHF
PEOPLE, for the Fifteenth Amendmen
guarantees the application of gres
principle Of democracy, "Eqnal Rights =
An"