The broad ax. [volume], November 02, 1895, Image 5

About The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??

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THE BROAD AX.
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SOUTH CAROLINA vs.
IGNORANCE.
Much turbulence of spirit has
been saaaifeeted within the past
few. weeks, over the proposed
change of the organic law in the
state of South Carolina. A large
amount of the explosion of words
and bitter invectives have been the
sequence of an inflamed judgment,
of political prejudice, or of a pro
found ignorance of the question.
As the Broad Ax is the accepted
organ of a number of colored
people in Utah, and as it is read bj
many of the race who honestly dif
fer with our political viewswe there
fore believe that it is our duty,
as well as our privilege, to place this
"matter right before our readers.
As we have stated, the dense ig
norance of a subject of ttimes leads
the human mind into the greatest
errors; and upon this question it
would seem that our people had
jumped to the conclusion given out
by the wily politician, that the state
of South Carolina is seeking to
disfranchise the colored voters of
that State. This, however, is
not true, and the idea" is either
the result of ignorance or dis
honesty, as we propose to show.
Humanity is advancing; life, as
a whole, is ascending; and the peo
ple of the United States are pro
gressing. Free government ias
been brought about by a system of
evolution, from the experiences and
observations of the past. Universal
suffrage and a pure Democratic
form of. government, is as yet a
bare experiment.
Our forefathers who founded
this Republic, proceeded upon the
theory that all were not only free
and equal by nature, but they were
honest and intelligent. The voters
of an ideal republic should possess
all these qualifications. But while
we have the beat government on
earth, it by no means follows that
we have a perfect form of govern
sent. Humanity is fallible, and
the imperfections of our system
and laws become more apparent as
we advance in the scale of life.
The truth is, our voters do not pos
sess to any universal degree," either
of the three great characteristics
necessary to good citizenship, viz.,
freiem, honesty', and intelligence.
The world was not made in a
day; wither car a perfect form of
government be created in a genera
tion. It requires the time, perse
verance, and process of ages. Each
of the essential qualities of which
we have spokes, are perhaps pos
sessed by a greater number of the
people ia. oar country, than by any
other sation. Yet it If important
that we should coatinae to lead is
the "straggle for existence' and
tut we strive at oast to reack a
proper form of government, with
qaality oLsoea before the law, and
that eaeh iadividaal voter will be
inUHffmt enough to .know his
rights, asd that which is beet for
hisesetf aad hk fellows, aad be
AMt eaoagk to accord to all the
4fee eeeae right which he eajoys
ftMseetf.
Oms the greatest dangers to a
popular goverHHwit, is
asd superetitioa. jrlt is
also an evil which can be more
easily eradicated than the other
two to which we have referred.
To educate the people of our
country is the first and highest
duty of the state. We must imbue
all classes with a burning zeal to
become intelligent, and keep in
step with the progress of the age;
otherwise our liberty will be lost
and our boasted civilization wither
away.
It has been the policy of many
of the states, and of the general
fovernment to promote the grov?th
of intelligence 'and education, by
liberal donations of land and
money to be used to that end. As
a people we have for years been
making educatien a special feature.
Taxation for free schools, and the
reservation of a large part of the
public domain, prove the importance
of this question with the American
people.
The civil service examination is
another means to stimulating the
culture of the mind; for by it
benefits are withheld to those not
educated.
But what does South Carolina
propose to do? Why is all this fuss
made about this Southern State?
After all she is simply striving to
attain a more intelligent citizenship
by requiring her voters to be able
to read. That should not disfran
chise 'any true, patriotic American.
It is said it will disfranchise
thousands of negroes, and also
whites. Well, we say, after these
long years of opportunities, if any
white or colored man cannot read
he ought to be deprived of voting
until he learns. All of the states
now debar a man of sufferage for
committing a crime) and we be
lieve wilful ignorance is a crime.
Every colored man in South
Carolina can be taught to
ead, and if he will not, then
we say he ought not to be
permitted to vote. An ignorant
vote is a dangerous vote, especially
if wilfully so. The proposition of
this southern State is a noble one,
and every colored man should favor
it. It is an inducement to elevate
our race; it puts a premium on in
telligence; it gives reward to merit,
and withholds favors .from the
unworthy.
Let us not, as colored folks, say
such a law is detrimental to our
race; that would be an admission of
weakness, by saying ia effect, we
cannot learn equal to the whites.
Rather let us hail the law as an
auspicious dawning of a brighter
day, not only of the negro but of the
whites.
The enactment of such a law
would have a beneficial effect upon
the colored race. It will awaken
an ambition ia the breast of many
who are now weak and ignorant to
become sore enlightened, that they
might exercise this high duty. The
South is doisg this for the .good of
our race, and instead of abusing
thees, we should give them ihe
gratitude of oar hearts.
Politicians !x
Of all kinds can find at
Z. C. IVI. I.
The beat Assortment of
General Merchandise
And at Prices to suit the Times.
GENTS' CLOTHING and GENERAL FURNISHING,
LADIES' DRESS GOODS, NOTIONS,
WRAPS, HATS, and FOOTWEAR,
GROCERIES, First-Class, in Immense Variety,
Staple or Fancy.
You cannot go wrong, and a little
money goes a long way now.
T. G WEBBER, Sipt.
THDRMAN & WEDGEWOOD,
First National Bank Building,
PROVO. UTAH.
WARNER & MIGHT,
Union Block,
PROVO, UTAH.
SAMUEL A. KING,
&ttritg.
First National Bank Building,
PROVO, UTAH.
Salt Lake Cleaning Company,
PAUL SMITH. Proprietor.
Clothes Cleaned and Pressed at
85 cents per month. Pants Pressed
25 cents. Pants Dyed $1. Ladiei'
clothes Cleaned and Dyed in al
its branches. Repairing neathr
done. New clothes made for old
ones. 279 South Main Street,
under St. Elmo.
E. A. WILSON,
First National Bank Building,
PROVO, UTAH.
A. D. GASH,
First National Bank Building,
PROVO, UTAH.
? Si T w '
lyjCL0T
POWERS, STRADP AND
LIPPMAN,
Attorneys and Counselors.
EAGLE BLOCK,
SALT LAKE CITY.
JL, K. OnERRT.
J. W. OHXRBT.
First Unitarian Church, 44 Main
street. Services at II o'clock Sun
day, a. as. Uev. A. L. Hsdsoc,
Pastor. Subject: "Moral ParalysM
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BlBi JLL9 WBUC
CHERRY & CHERRY,
LAWYERS,
Rooms 9 and 10, Walker Bros.
Bank Bldg. , Salt Lakx City.
CHARLES H. HART,
Union Block, LOGAN, UTAH.
P. J.DALY, v.
ATTOJUrcr k (XHJSSELLO IT-LAY,
. 91 ad 92 Cosstrcud Bfcck
- Salt Lake Cky, Utah.
Aad yon are bound to mention ours. It's
a timely topic that the two young men are
discussing; and in Salt Lake City the most
practical way to treat the matter is to look over
our stock and see just what we hare to show
that's neat, stylish, dressy, handsome and dura
ble; these points, with the perfect fits we always
gire, make our clothing always fine. Here are
prices as charming as a smile from your best
girt
Men's good cotton suit ... J3.00
Men's good working suit . , . 4.0
Men's first class suits, Black, Blue and
Gray ..... 7.39
Men's business suits, Black and Dark
Shades . . . , , xoeo
Men's fine suits for business or dress, all
colors . . x 2 00
Men's fine dress suits (imported goods) 15 00
J. P. Gardner,
'136-138 Mam Street.
JI. (s. I(eeiIey,
. Telephone 27. Manufacturer
. of Pure Ice Cream, Water
. Ices, Candies, Home-Made
. Bread aad Cakes.
2C S. MAIN ST. SALT LAKE CITY.
IflSTftOCTIOflS
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la OB Faiatisg aad
Art Needle Work
OIL PAINTINGS FOR SALE,
Irs. .,. Jaylor, Irtist, 1
Stedent f the CMcago Art Institute
- Studio No. 710 Main St.
I ROU JLfcO vsue. - - I -
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