Question

read the excerpt from up from slavery by booker t. washington.
i believe that in time, through the operation of intelligence and friendly race relations, all cheating at the ballot-box in the south will cease. it will become apparent that the white man who begins by cheating a black man out of his ballot soon learns to cheat a white man out of his, and that the man who does this ends his career of dishonesty by the theft of property or by some equally serious crime. in my opinion, the time will come when the south will encourage all of its citizens to vote. it will see that it pays better, from every standpoint, to have healthy, vigorous life than to have that political stagnation which always results when one-half of the population has no share and no interest in the government.
what is the strongest reasoning the author uses to support his claim?
○ a time will come when voting will be an honest activity.
○ people who try to stop others from voting become burglars.
○ the south will eventually want people of every race to be able to vote equally.
○ the south will understand that it is better to have all citizens involved in government.

Explanation:

The author's core reasoning focuses on the negative progression of ballot cheating: starting with cheating Black voters, then expanding to cheating white voters, and ending in serious crime. He also argues that including all citizens in voting avoids political stagnation and is better for the South's overall health. The strongest reasoning ties to the South recognizing the benefit of full citizen participation in government, as it directly links to avoiding stagnation and fostering a healthy, vigorous society, which is a practical, self-interested argument.

Answer:

D. The South will understand that it is better to have all citizens involved in government.