The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-10-26
UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE FOR NEGROES

The \. Y. Tribune, the other day came out
with strong editorial IN favor OF universal
negro suffrage in New-Ior State, and says
the question TO be voted on in the November
electon is not whether negroes should vote,
for they are already voters, but whether those
ofthe black race who have not $3.50 worth of
dire' should be deprived of the right OF suffrage.
Bv:.dirl" the reader is TO understand real estate,
which Greeley used TO call 'roDbery."
| TIE philosopher Of the Tribune cannot see
any good reason for the property qualification
! in the case Of negroes, and contends there
ought to be no distinction between them and
| white men. This argument proceeds upon
/ the assumption Of the black race, being equal to
| the white, which is contrary to notorious fact.
! The negro never vas, and never will be,
equal to the white man and the qualification
! OF $3.50 is therefore a very proper provision,
and is intended as a stretch of liberalIty TO
meet the case OF negroes probably with white
| blood in their yeIus) who rise above the a.
| verage level OF their race. and prove their SUI
periority by the industry and temperate habits
and intelligence which enabled them TO aCcumu-
late so much property. Very few OF them in
free States ever get beyond the profession OF
walters or bootb!acks, or BARRIERS or whltewaSh-
ers, or stevedores or servants. In the slave
, States, where the negro, in his normal condI-
ton he does much better. In the free States
the competition of white men, who excel them
} in skilled labor and Intelligence. keep the
general mass of them in an abeCt condition,
greatly inferior to their status in that modified
servitude under Christian masters which pre-
walls at the South. Giving them permission
10 vote would not improve their condition, but,
considering their general want OF education
y and their vices in large cities, 1t would prove
y a source of corruption to them, and an injury
Y ! to the community at large. BY the last census
= the negro population in New York was not
' quite 10000 1t probably does not exceed
y that figure now, for Northern freedom is fata
y torts growth. BY the proposed change thei
y votes would number, instead of three or fou
" hundred, from nine to ten thousand, made uE
" of the inhabitants of the Five points and all tn
" purIeus OF vice and crime IN the CITY an
" this fesleriag mass the Republican chlet
" calcuIale they can sway By prejudice or pur
" chase with money, so as to become baanc
" of power in their hands to carry their election
~ The Tribune boasts that even the present nun
~ Der OF negro votes has turned the scale in a
~ election for Governor. What might It n
A. do when sweled to ten thousand I'll
Tribune contends that there is an inconsIstenc
ST in not allowing all negroes to vote or IN D
preventing at all. Very well. The best wa
90 to cure the inconsistency, II it exists, IS to
co mend the constitution by taking away I
90 suffrage from every negro. 1t must ehn
90 come to that at last, or fraternity, equality
90 amalgamaton, which is the grand object t
% Republican party is seeking to accomplish b,
25 reign Of terror ~ I. Herald.