Wednesday, November 15, 2000

As a result of the controversy surrounding this presidential election, the media has referenced the presidential election of 1876, where a heavily debated Congress determined the victory of Rutherford B. Hayes over Samuel J. Tilden, with one vote, despite the clear majority of popular votes for Tilden.

What has not been said is that Congress was at a stalemate, until the Compromise of 1877 was reached. That Compromise was to the detriment of people of color and the country at large.

Let's back up a moment. The time was post-Civil War, during the period of Reconstruction. Reconstruction is that time when newly emancipated blacks, with the help of the federal government, helped rebuild the South.

The 14th Amendment of the Constitution had been passed in 1868, giving former slaves citizenship and civil rights. The 15th Amendment in 1869 went a step further to prevent the denial of blacks' right to vote.

Blacks were now able to vote, hold public office, go to school, own land and get paid for their work. The Confederate Southerners and President Andrew Johnson didn't like this one bit. Johnson undermined the Reconstruction that Congress mandated by removing the military officers who were enforcing Reconstruction acts. Shortly after, Congress began impeachment proceedings against Johnson, which were only one vote short of conviction.

Back to the Compromise of 1877. Congress made a deal. Congress would ignore the popular vote and elect Hayes as president in exchange for "Home Rule" in Southern states; that is, the end of Reconstruction. This opened the door for Jim Crow laws, segregation and the violation of blacks' rights as citizens. It took almost 100 years for the civil rights of all people to be restored.

So here we are today, in a presidential election where there was a large minority vote. The popular vote is clearly for Gore. Electoral votes are split. We are hinging on Florida, where there is blatant violation of voters' rights, orchestrated by the Brothers Bush.

Those who call for an expedient end to the election process versus an accurate vote count don't seem to have an appreciation for the violation of one's rights. Vice President Gore and Congress need to do all that the Constitution allows to ensure that Florida's vote is accurately and completely counted.

We are not going back in time quietly. The civil rights of minorities, women, gays, the poor and the disenfranchised are at stake. A Compromise of 2000 is not an option.

Lisa Alston

Fayetteville

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