Florida Back-Pedals
May 11, 1907
Summary
In Alabama, white people do not want just segregated seats but want entirely separate trains for black and white people.
Transcription
Florida Back-Pedals
The amendment to the Constitution of Florida providing that only white men shall be permitted to vote has been defeated in the lower branch of the legislature of that State by a vote of 47 to 14. It was intended to test the validity of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. This was regarded as a dangerous experiment and it is evident that the leaders of the National Democratic Party made strenuous efforts to bring about this result.
It would have handicapped and embarrassed the Democratic leaders in the North. As the matter bow stands, it will be a valuable campaign issue for the Republicans. That it passed one branch of the legislature is a significant fact. For our part, we regret that Senator Beard’s resolution was defeated. He meant it in one way, but it would have operated another. It would have brought forth a decision that we have vainly endeavored to obtain along other lines.
The far-seeing members of the Democratic Party were not slow to see this and as a result, the day we have prayed for is far off in the future. But it will all come around bye and bye men will yet realize that great principles will assert themselves in this or in some other era of the nation’s existence.
The amendment to the Constitution of Florida providing that only white men shall be permitted to vote has been defeated in the lower branch of the legislature of that State by a vote of 47 to 14. It was intended to test the validity of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. This was regarded as a dangerous experiment and it is evident that the leaders of the National Democratic Party made strenuous efforts to bring about this result.
It would have handicapped and embarrassed the Democratic leaders in the North. As the matter bow stands, it will be a valuable campaign issue for the Republicans. That it passed one branch of the legislature is a significant fact. For our part, we regret that Senator Beard’s resolution was defeated. He meant it in one way, but it would have operated another. It would have brought forth a decision that we have vainly endeavored to obtain along other lines.
The far-seeing members of the Democratic Party were not slow to see this and as a result, the day we have prayed for is far off in the future. But it will all come around bye and bye men will yet realize that great principles will assert themselves in this or in some other era of the nation’s existence.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Benton Camper
Citation
“Florida Back-Pedals,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/495.