In Stephen Kinzer's book "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq," the author discusses how the rise of universal suffrage posed a threat to plantation owners. The planters feared that giving the vote to all individuals would result in a government that reflected the majority, which was predominantly nonwhite. This concern led to a more vigorous opposition to democratic movements.

The underlying tension between the planters' desire to maintain control over the political system and the push for broader voting rights highlights the complexities of governance during that era. The potential shift in power dynamics fueled efforts to resist democratic reforms, underscoring the impact of racial and social hierarchies on the political landscape.