The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-06

fict Is avoided when the settlement OF the
question is referred to the several states
They can, each for itself. decide on the meas
ure, and whether it is to be adopted at once
and absolutely, or introduced gradually and
with conditions. In my judgement the
freedmen, if they show patience aud manly
virtues, will sooner obtain a participation In
the elective franchise through the states
than through the general government, even
If il had power to intervene. When the tu-
multi of emotions that have been raised by
the suddenuess of the social change shall
have subsidized, it may prove that they will re
ceive the kindIiest usage from some of those
ON whom they have hereto ore most closely
depended.
But while have no doubt that now, after
the close of the war. it is not competent for
| the general government to extend the elect
i've franchise in the several states. ut Is equal
| ly clear that good faith requires the securi-
| ty of the freedmen in their liberty and their
property. their right to labor. and their ri ht
| to claim the just return of their labor. can
not too strongly urge a dispassionsts treat
ment of this subject, which should be careful
| ly kept aloof from all party strife. We must
equally avoid hasty assumptions of any nat
ural impossibility for the two races to live
side by side, in a state Of mutual benefit and
| good will. The experiment involves us in no
| Inconsistency let as then go and make
| that experiment in good faith, aud not be too
| easily disheartened. The country is in need
| of labor, and the freedmen are ia need of en-
| ployment, culture and protection. While
| their right of voluntary migration and expa
! triation is not to be questioned, / would not
| advise their forced removal and colonization
Let us rather encourage them to honorable
and useful industry, where it may be benef.
| cial TO themselves and to the country; and
| instead of hasty anticipation of the certainty
| OF failure, let there be nothing wanting TO the
| fair trial of the experiment. The change in
| their condition is the substitutiun of labor by
! contract for the status of slavery. The freed
men cannot fairly be accused of unwilling.
ness to work, 30 long as a doubt remains
about his tresdom of choice in his pursuits.
| and the certainty of recovering his stipulated
! wages. In this the interests Of the employer
aud the employed coincide. The emp loyer
desires i'll MS workmeu spirit and alacrity.
and these can be permanently secured in no
other way. And If the one ought to be able
| to enforce the contract. SO ought the other
The public interest will be pest promoted. If
the several states will prJ.ide aieduate pro-
| lection and remedies for the freedmen Tn
I'll this Is IN some way accomplished. there is
no chance for the advantageous use of their
labor aud the blame of i'll success will not
| rest on them.
| for the immediate realization of their reno.
| test aims but time Is ALWAYS an element in
| reform. 1t is one OF the greatest acts ON rec.
| ord to have brought four millions OF people
/ INFO freedom. The career OF free industry
must be tarrly opened TO them : aud then
| their future prosperity and condition must,
after all, rest mainly on themselves. If they
I fail, and perish away, let us be careful
that the failure shall not be attributable to
H. Lot, L, Il
the destiny OF the freedmen. we need not be
too anxious to read the future; many Incl
dents which.from speculative point of view,
might raise alarm, will quietly settle them.
! selves.
/ Now that slavery IL a. an end or near its
end. the greatness OF it, evil. in the point Of
view Of public economy. becomes more and
more apparent. Slavery vas essentially
! monopoly of lab,T, and such locked the
states where 1t prevailed against the lncom-
| ing of free industry. vs. mere labor was the
| property OF the capI al,s,, the white man was
excluded IRON employment, or had out the
second best chance Of finding il: aud the for
/ eign emigrant turned away from the region
| where his condition would be so precarious
] With the destruction of the monopoly, tree
! labor will hasten from all parts of the civil
! lied world to assist in developing various and
! unreasonable resources which have hitherto
lain dormant The eight or niLe states near
! est the Gulf of Mexico have = soil of exhu-
berant fertility, a climate friendly TO long
| life aud can sustain denser population than
Is found as yet in any part of our county -
| And the future influx Ut population 90 them
| will be mainly fro;B the north. or from the
most civilized nations in Europe. From the
suferings that have attended them during
our late struggle, let u look away TO the fu-
! ture, which Is sure to be laden for th, IN with
greater prosperity than has ever before been
| known. The removal of the monopoly of
slave labor Is pledge that those regions will
be peOpIed by numerous and enjerprisiug
| population, which will vie with any in the
Union In cimpactness, Inventive genius.
wealth, and industry.
Our government springs from and was
made for the people-not the people for the
! government. To them it owes allegiance A;
! from them 1t must derive its courage strength
and wisdom. But. while the government Is
thus bound TO def-rt the people from whom IL
derives its existence, it should, from the very
consideration Of its origin, be strong in is
power of resistance TO the establishment of
inequalities. Mpnopoiies. perpetuiies and
class legislation are contrary to the genius Of
free government and ought not to be allowed
Here, there Is no room for favored classes or
mOnopolies, the principle of our gov arnment
is that of equal laws and freedom of indus
| try. Wherever monopoly attains tcothold
it Is sure 10 be a source of danger. discord
and trouble. We shall but fulfill our duties
as legislators by according equal and exact
justice TO all men, special privileges TO none
! the government Is subordinate to the people;
but, as the agent and representative Of the
people 1t must be held superior To monOpOlies,
| which in the Hselves ought never to be grant