Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-22

have Is.ken much pains to learn what
the Presidents views upon the question:
involved are. am entirely satisfied that
be would give all negroes who have been
10 the army, and the more intelligent ones
OF thoae who have not, the privilege OF
voting, if he believed he had authority un
der the Constitution to do so. tWhat
does the President say about negro sufr-
rage 2" asked of the chairman Of one of
the numerous delegations of Southerners
10 the city. "Well, he don't say much !:
'he asks US If it seems fair 10 make the
negro fight and then refuse to let him vote:
and he tells US that pretty much all YOU
NortherueFs seem TO be In favor of letting
nlm vote, and he says that though he Rdsn't
tet ann Uote IN North Carolina, he Tnav do 20
sonleiOheSe else" In respect to the idea in
these last italicized words, may saw that
know the President remarked to a high
ohcer, sbont the time the North CaroiioR
proclamation was issued, wen fyy 1th;s
plan .HTSt, and If il don't pork, IOhV. then
1TsHtry something else" Mr. Ashley him
self is authority that the President Tde.
sires all men should vote, without dislinc.
tion of color" Mr.. Sumner was mn.
doubtedly told that between himself and the
President there is no difference Of opinion
on the question that justice and expedfency
alike would sanction the extension of the
suffrage TO negroes. Judge Yerger of Mia
siesippi was told that no good reason, aside
from the prejudices ofthe people, could be
given for excluding them from the right of
suffrage; and it was said to an Alabama
gentleman that he would do well to use his
influence ia preparing the minds of his
people for quiet acquiescence in general
suffrage. ]
The President, however, is at present
clearly OF opinion that he has no power to
say tnat the negroes shall vote. The
States have never been out of the Union.
though their "proper practical relations,;
TO the Union have been, for the time being.
suspended. He can do no more, he holds
than set them back where they were before
they passed ordinances of secession. Yet,
lnasmuch as the people ofthe State have
oeen IN rebellion, he can, as the executive
head OF the government, say that, as pun.
ishment for crime, they shnll not now vote.
de can withhold the right of suffrage from
certain classes herelofo exercising ii; but
nc cannot extend it to other classes ex-
cluded by State constitutions. Briefly, 1
understand this to be his position.
Attention was called in this correspop.
deuce in the latter part of April TO ths fact
that in respect to Virginia Mr.. johnson
was essentially carrying out the pro,
gtamme OF Mr.. Lincoln. This North Car.
ollna plan is the same as the Virginia plau,
except that there was no occasion to spec
ny the qualifications of voters 10 the lattef
state. It was also at that time 10 this
correspondence predicted that the good
old fashion of Cabinet meetings would be
revived. 1t only remains now to add that
the Cabinet is unit in support of the
gro suffrage. A story has been going the
rounds OF the press to the effect
tnat At least three members are
in favor of negro suffrage and
three are opposed to it. II l am
not misintormed in regard to matter con.
cerntng which have made careful INQUIRY.
every member of the Cabinet would,eIadiy
put the ballot into the hands of every ne.
gro who has carried a musket, and into
the hands of the more intelligent of those
who have not done so; aud every member
also rests content in the Presidential opiu-
ion that the general government cannot
thus give any negro the right of suffrage
ITO restore the proper practical relations
OF the States to the Union" is the one
thing MIR. Johnson has nearest at henrt.-
Show him that it can be done by giving
the freedmen of the South the right Of suf-
trager and that he can CoustitutionaIly
give them that right, aud 1 do not doubt
that he would adopt that plan tomorrow,
and that he would be sustained therein bv
the Cabinet Show him that he has made
mistake in the North Carolina plan, and
be will drop it at once. am convinced
that he is not welded 10 any set fern
or method of procedure, and that he
specially desires it shall be every.
where seen and felt in what large serse
freedom and equality are the birthright of
condition.