The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-09-02
The Suffrage Question.


We find in the last number of the Pres
colt Transcript an able article on this
subject in answer to former article oppo-
sing the granting of political privileges to
the negro on account Of his intellectual
unftness. We extract q portion Of the
reply
"And now on what grounds does N.
B. H. place his opposition to this bill ?
Why simply on this, that colored citizens
are illiterato. He certainly cannot be
ignorant of the fact that there are many
who are intelligent and capable. What
then does his argument amount to 2
Throw it in the form Of syllogism and
it stands thus: Ill persons who are igno-
rant should not be allowed to vote. Some
colorcd persons are ignorant; therefore
all colored, persons should be debarred Of
the right of voting logical truly. But
let us carry out this argument. Assuming,
as be has done, the major premise to be
true and bearing in mind that some whites
are ignorant we have the following:
All persons who are ignorant should
not be allowed to vote; some white men
are ignorant therefore all white men
should be debarred from voting. Why
sir, this argument would disfranchise every
man in the State. But perhaps N. B. H.
meant to say that the negroes of this State
are more ignorant than any other class.
He knows they are far more intelligent
than the Indians who are allowed to vote.
He knows that as a class they are more
intelligent than our Irish population; if
he don't know so, he will be convinced of
it by examining the census. N. B. F.'s
whole argument then goes to prove that
iIliterate citizens should not be allowed to
vote.
l beg to inform him that is not the
question before the "meeting- house,
Why do you apply test to one class that
you do not apply to all? Or why, if you
prescribe at all, do YOU not begin with
the classes most liable to objection! And
if the qualification of intelligence is to be
adopted, what are you going to do with
the intelligent, educated colored citizens
n. B. II. does not sec that extending
the right of suffrage to negroes will better
their condition. Why is it that the peas
ants of France are more intelligent than
those of Russia, and the common people of
England and our own country more in
telhgent than the peasants of France. 1t
is because the government of France is
moro liberal than that of. Russia, and the
governments of England and the United
States more liberal than that Of France
There is something in being a freeman
that stimulates and elevates and ennoblss,
and therefore it is, every free nation is
distinguished for intelligence and high
toned character. | do not pretend to
account for it, but it is truth that history
shows in all its pages. On the contrary
there is something depressing in inferior ty
of position. 1t is destructive to energy
AMI elevation of character. Il never 90
to the ballot box said noble hero and
almost martyr to reform, without being
doubly impressed with the dignity and
responsibilities of freeman-the dignity
of n oitizon--the roePons Utilities OF ruler
But the particular influence on these $50
mentor there are about that number Of
colored citizens with the proper requisites
of voters-great as it would be, is not
alone to be regarded in giving them this
right. 1t will stand as a great example
stimulating others, for as Lowell says:
When deed is done for freedom, through the
broad earths aching breast,
Runs thrill of JOY prophetic, trembling on
from East to West,
And the slave where'er he covers feels his soul
within him climb
To the awful verge of manhood as the energy
sublime,
Of century, bursts full blossomcd on the
thorny stem of time" L.