The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-12
d. REEVE
Capt. G. E. PAINE, gainesville, o.
PA1NrsH1I1r. %. Jnln 27Lh. 1s65,

Mr.. Il. ReeUe, COLebTOok, Ohio
DEAR SIs: Yours of the 25Lh instant is
received, in which you ask me:
"1st. Doyou holi to negro suffrsge2"
AnSWer-I hold "that with proper safe
guards to the purity of the ballOt-box, the
elective franchise should be based upon
loyalty TO the constitution and Union, re-
cognizing and affirming the equality CT all
men before the law"
l am in favor Of amending the constitu-
ton of Ohio by striking out the word
white" in the article of suffrage.
The restrictions upon the free blacks in the
exercise ofsomeoftheusu rights of citizens
in other loyal States Of the Union, seem to
me to present questions of which we, ss
ciHzens of Ohio, or of the United States,
have no present ~cogniZsnce But the
question of negro suffrsge in the rebel
States, now held by our military occupa-
tion, l believe to be a practical question of
national Importance. The successful issue
of the war for the Union, only secured by
the emancipation of the slave and the
RrmiDg of the negro, and leaving in the Sc
coded States thousands of d~isfrsnchised
rebels, compels our earnest consideration of
the question of the future status of thelOyal
freedmen in those States. The pied q in
the emancipation proclamation to "main-
tain " their fTeedom-the public faith p.edg-
ed to 81, white or black, who have fought
in the Union army-the national debt cre-
ated by the war-the 1900 900 increased
representative population of the slave
States the possibility OF pardoned rebels,
restored to citizenship, embsrring the re-
storsiion of tie Union, render the Suffrage
question in the rebel States one eff national
concern.
1t is now 8 matter of history that the
United States has the power to "coercs' q
seeded State-using the means of an army
and nsVy-Of emancipation, confscstiOn
and armed negroes TO restore its authority.
And l believe the Republic has the further
power, and should use tho means, if neces-
sary, Of granting the right of suffrage TO its
loyal citizens, irrespective of color, IN the
rebel States, in order to secure the public
safety and the public faith, and, within
each State, a republican form of govern
ment.
L would prefer to see this right granted
by tine people of those States respectively,
rather than by the interpositioa of Execu.
tive or military or Congressional action
but l believe it is necessarytO public safety
| duu DbhCb kubh hO IbUtl CkdAb VI huulkN6O
to its full functions with q Constitution
which does not secure to the freedmen the
right of suffrage in such d manner ss to b.
impartial and not based upon color, anc
which does not place in their hands q sub.
s~tsntial power to defend their rights a!
citizens st the ballot box
You ask me: Second. Do you favor {
law authorizing the trustees Of townships
to levy a tax on townships 10 refund ioca.
bounties paid by subscriptions to vClun
teers to be accredited TO the township OF
the several calls of the President for vol
unteers ?"
Answer. L am opposed TO such a law.
LIST. L believe it Is wong in prin ciple
Il is, in effect, holding the property of tn,
country liable 70 furnish not only the
money, but also the men necessary to csrrN
on a war. 1t makes, not the able bodied
men of proper sge, but those of them only
who hold taxable property, together witt
the old and physically disqualified, tn,
widows and orphans, liable 10 render mil
tary service, by compelling them to psJ
for such service. If enacted now there il
great danger, in case of war hereafter
that tfOse willing TO volunteer would de
mand unreasonable local tounties, which
would be- paid by those desiring to keey
out of the service, who would expee'
to have their money thereafter refunded by
8 tax. 1t would overbuIden the countrl
with taxation, and tend to make money in.
stead of patriotism tire consideration FOL
responding to all calls for volunteers in tn,
future
I'd. It would be a tax in many cases OF
the properly Of those who have served il
the war without any local bounties, or d
the widows and children of such who have
fallen for the relief of persons who have
rendered no military service whstever, bui
who subscribed. to the local bounties il
order to remain at home TO attend to bus.
iaess, in which they have become wealthy
during the war.
Sd. The largest subscriptions being usu.
ally made by those liable to draft who
we're engaged in profitable business OF
afraid to enter the military service, such
a law would afford the greatest relief to
these, who srei entitled to no Ieliet what.
ever under any consideration.
III Very respectfully,
o.. ar-. r-s GEORGE +. PAINE.