Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-07-27


but scotched, not killed 1t remains to
provide such safe guards as shall ensure
future tranquility to the Nation, and neu-
tralize the pestiferous efforts of the restless
and unprincipled Southern politicians Can
it better be done than allowing the black
man to vote? Have we not the most re-
liable evidence that that vote will always
be on the side of Freedom and the Union
Would it not be safer to trust the blacks,
with all their ignorance, on all questions of
the day, than the whites of the South?
Congress has adopted measures for the
emancipation of the Slaves That ''pccu-
liar institution" which has been at ,.ncc
the curse and the disgrace of the Nation is
to be eradicated by the adoption of an
amendment to the Cons titution The re-
quisite number of States will soon have
provided the necessary legislation, and by
the supreme law of the land, Slavery, will
cease to exist-in form at least. The Slave
holders are ready to acquiesce in the pass
age of this amendment The inexorable logic
of events, the inevitable necessity of the
times, has satisfied the most ultra fire-eater
that at least show of acquiesence in the
overthrow of Slavery must be manifested.
But already the unrepentant rebels are de-
vising plans to render Intellectual the emAn-
cpation policy of the Nation. While they
are yet aliens and outlaws, they are plot
ting to deprive the Freedman of his new
found liberty, and of the privilege to which
he is justly entitled. They already boast
that they can devise means to make the
condition of the black man as thoroughly
servile, as when Slavery was legalized.
The dullcst comprehension can readily see
how easy this will be, when the secession
lists shall have control of the State gov
ernments. The legislatures of the different
States can readily adopt laws and regula-
tions which will render the condition of the
Freedman more abject and degraded than
under the old regime.
The only security the Freedman can poss-
IDLY have that he will not be the constant
subject of oppression and tyrany, is in his
enfranchisement If we place him at the
mercy of the rebels, it would be kindness
to him to again rivet upon his limbs the
shackles of bondage Invested with the
right of voting he can take care of himself
He wields power which will protect him
from the barbarities of his late master.
Shall we emancipate the Slave, only to ag-
gravate the evils under which he suffers,
and render his condition more intolerant
and degraded? The nation owes it to the
emancipated Slave to give him every Op-
portunity of amelioration, and to throw
around him every safeguard for his pro-
lection in the exercise of those rights which
the universal voice of public opinion has
conferred upon him. Less than this would
be a mockery and delusiOn.
Having recognized the loyalty of the
black population of the South-having as
reward for their services, (in part, at least }
provided for their emancipation--it be-
comes necessity, as well as duty on the
part of the Government, 90 see that the
new privileges conferred upon them shall
not be ruthlessly invaded, nCr stealthily
tilched from them, in the form of any new
creation of tyrrany. The late Slave driver
must not be allowed, by any pretence of
State law to force his late human chattles
to labor for him without just recompense.
He must not be allowed to deprive the
freedman of his liberty upon frivolous pre-
texts Having declared that the Slave is
free, he should be protected in all his priv
leges as Freedman. In the present tenn
per of the South, Judging from daily man.
ifcstations, to do this thoroughly will re-
quire military establishment in that sec
ton of great magnitude. But by investing
the Freedman with the ballot, we provide a
means Of safety to him, and of security to
the nation which will soon allow the gov
ernment to dispense with bayonets With
freeman's weapon in his hand, he could
not be again enslaved and trodden upon.
There are many different views upon this
subject, and various plans suggested Some
would make a measure of education the
standard Others allow the colored soldier
to vote And then, in what manner shall
we provide for the enfranchisement of the
blacks, it being matter of regulation by
the State Legislatures The subject is
grave one, we frankly admits consum-
nation evironed with many difficulties.
But we should meet it fairly and frankly
considering it with reference to the future
security Of the Nation, and in the light of
justice to the loyal black man. So regard
ing it, it is not difficult to arrive at proper
conclusions.
PRESERVATION OF PORTRAT.-A commit
tee of citizens of Philadelphia, represent
ing the Union men of that city, visited Har-
risburg on Wednesday last, for the pur-
pose of presenting to Gen. Simon Cameron
a portrait of himself, as an evidence of the
high esteem in which he is held by the Tn
ion men of the metropolis, and an acknowl-