Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 11.pdf/132

 [Sng)Jestive Cases..

11 1

aided by the reporter, and were no doubt grateful for it.

alteration of what was really a record of the court. Some of these judges, and especially the one last named, were very considerably

New York, March, 1899.

(SUG)JESTIVE CASES. II. W1ll1ams v. State of M1ss1ss1pp1 (on appeal from the Mississippi Supreme Court, in 20 So. Rep. 1023, to the Supreme Court of the United States, in 18 Sup. Ct. Rep. 583; filed April 25, 1898). Advocates of the New Law: When the civil war was fought To remove the chains of race From subject blacks, We immediately thought That a constitutional place For the principle we sought Would be safe and sound in case Of new attacks. 2.

So to end the black's subjection, Midst a righteous self-applause, We embodied the correction In a Constitutional clause Of black and white, Pledging equal due protection Under State and Federal laws; Clearly banning by this section Race and color as a cause For legal spite. 3In a social way, indeed, —Theatres, lodges, clubs, and trade— This complacent northern creed Was in practice not displayed To clear intendment; But the justice, and all that. Of the colored brother's claim, South of Dixie's line, seemed pat; So we hastened to proclaim The new amendment. 4Yet the constant course of years Under Constitutional pledge Left the Southron's direful fears Unabated; and a hedge They strove to compass. In a Mississippi scheme Southern statesmen tried to prove That things are not what they seem; But this new and cunning move Raised up a rumpus.

5" We've a firm determination In this case To make no discrimination Based on race; But we're clearly in the limits of the law If the statute has no Constitutional flaw On its face." 6. An immediate revision Then they drew, With an innocent provision (Wholly new) That a voter's name, when listed for election, By the officer appointed for inspection, If he knew That the candidate was open to objection, Should be liable to summary rejection; And the cue For the actors in this farce with leading parts Was, sub rosa, plain to all true southern hearts 'Twas the hue! For " discretion," when a Southerner defines, Is equivalent to drawing color lines, —As they well knew. Argument of the Law's Opponents: 7Things when equal to the same are also equal To each other; and this necessary sequel Holds for politics precisely as for figures; So, in essence, here's disfranchisement of niggers! And it doesn't matter how You proceed to make a sham Of the Constitutional vow For the dusky sons of Ham; 'Tis the purpose, and the fact, that ought to tell; And the purpose and the fact, as all know well, Is that darkey votes no longer can be sold; — Which by constitutional right they could, of old.