New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-22
CyPALATABLE COUNSEL.

| UNPALATABLE COUNSEL.
The colored people of this State have recently
initiated new and (they purpose) more vigorous,
systematic and formidable agitation for the Right
of Suffrage, which is still, in shameful defiance of
the cardinal principles on which our Government
is based denied to all of them who do not possess
each freehold of the clear value OF $3.50. This
Property Qualification for Voting was devised, en-
acted and maintained by that very party of Sham
| Democracy which lives and thrives on its pro-
LESSONS of special regard for the poor, frlen1eSs
and despised and which noisily denounces all in
stitutions that base Political Rights or Fran
clises on Property. Among the many swndles
by which knavish political asprants have so
long obtained and abused an undue share of power
by protesting devotion to Human Rights regardless
of social or other Fictitious distinctions, this OF
hostility to Property Qualifications in full view OF
their obstinate maintenance of the only Property
Qualification now known to our laws, is the most
barefaced.
The Blacks ought to enjoy the Right Of Suffrage
exactly as the Whites do If any Property Qualih-
cation justifabe, it should be general for if
the possession Of Property justifes presumption
argues unftness to WELD safely and benefcently
the Right of Suffrage, the rule indicated is as good
for Whites as for Blacks. We condemn all Property
Qualifications but if such were at all justlfable,
they would be quite as salutary in their apphca-
ton to Whites as to Blacks.
Yet we have no hope that the wrong now pre-
yailing on this point will be redressed for many
weary years; and we see very clearly that present
agitation for its overthrow will only result in
exposing to popular Odium the Whites engaged IN
if Efforts to abolish this partial Property
qualification do not hasten the enfranchisement OF
the Blacks but they strongly tend to the practical
disfranchisement of the Whites who favor their
claims. We did what we could for Equal Suffrage
in le46, with feeble hopes of success, but with
perfect consciousness that we incurred very
general Obloquy and injured our political ascot
ates bv so doing At the same time we provoked
the implacable hostility of the Blacks by telling
them, in reply to their formal solicitation OF our
counsel. that the cause of Equal Suffrage could
only be damaged by their conspicuous advocacy
that they would serve most by keeping themselves
as much out of sight as possible. That was honest
and wholesome advice, but it subjected us to a
large measure of active hearty hatred.
The mass of men are not governed by pnnci-
pie and care little for COZ sstency. TOdetesi des-
potism and class legislation in Europe, yet sigh
for plantation well stocked with fat negroes
in Alabams, is by no means an isolated freak,
nor has Ireland monopoly of the production
of such liberstors. The patriot whose cOncep-
ton of the Freedom and Independence he
adored included the right to "larrup bis own
"niggers" at discretion, undoubtedly Of
Native breed, and not necessarily Of Mlesian
stock.
Most earnestly desiring the enfranch:ement
! Of the Afric.Amercan race, we would gladly
wean them, az the cost of some additional i'll
will, from the sterile path Of political agitation.
They can hell win their rights if they will, but
not BY having for them. One negro on farm
which be has cleared OF bought, patiently kew-
| ing out modest, toilsome independence, is
/ worth more TO the cause Of Equal Suffrage than
three in an Ethiopian (or any other) convention,
clamoring against White oppression with all the
fire Of q Spartacus. 1t is not logical conviction
OF the justice Of their claims that is needed, bu.
prevalent belief that they would form "a whole
some and detirsbe element Of the body polite.
Their color exposes them TO much unjust and
dana iDg prejudice but if their degraiat on
were bu. skin-deep, they might easily oyerco ne
II. IN fact, every one Of them who has the
| force Of character 10 say truly 81 will not Do.
"pond On tho good opinion Of Others: il my
" color subjects mo to prejudice, will prove
"myscf superior to prejudice by loving aud
"trcaling Kindly all without distinction Of
color. whia seeking Tho favor of mono. II
Whites deem ns unqualified fof employment In
ANY bal mental vocAiions. | will not ask
| Enjoyment Of white mon. but taho nay
"my shoulder and seek SOME spot wherein !
may make living ~ The favui Of mono but
! "Gnd. ~ white men deem unnotthr 60 cit
at ihth teLles ! viii piore ihsm Ia s,,ot by
nh .a'ine vLtthe, ell ihe,s ~, nst ru.h
| 10 he sti'ii ubi.L .ust eirt 1sl"s 49, political
| t.t'snsLis, matt snI Ia ,rbsss aLsunsa chat ca
LsaeListae"s "..st pave "fsiistis ,.aL
| 80 .D".s,, W. ..1t.stssI thst ~. .-ii ~
..at.- .riss.i' -s~r i.s ."a ..t.saGti,. ,Lstsh.