The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-06-30
Senator Sherman. on Hsgro.suatags.

rtom spoocn W oc'"'o' S"ot'"""' W
Ohio, delivered at Circleville, Ohio, June
10th, we extinct tho following:
And first, % to tho former slaves Of the
South, we promised them their freedom by
every mode by which one people may speak
to another. We proclaimed IL by the procla-
nation Of Mr.. Lincoln. Congress twice
ratified this proclamation. and the people in
two annual elections have ratified 1t. These
slaves have won their freedom by their deyo.
ton to our cause. They have from the
beginning been true friends. They have
borne our Gag In battle. They have carried
our arms. They have been slaughtered for
our cause. They have aided our sick and
wounded. They have fed our soldiers when
in prison, and have guided their escape.
They have performed the humble Office OF the
camp and the hospital. They never fought
against us. They have relied upon our
promise, and have performed their part.
Without them, and without their presence
as weakness to tho enemy, We might not
have succeeded. BY their ample faith in US,
following our fleets and our armies. they
have earned their freedom. The enemy know
and confess that an inevitable incident oil
their overthrow is the freedom OF tho slave.
I therefore conclude that we must secure
them their freedom beyond all doubt or per-
adventure, and maintain 1t against every
danger in any form of reconstruction that
may DO adopted.
Will you, in addition, authorize them to
vote? Will you invest them with oil the
rights and incidents Of citizenship? Have
Won the mower to do II under the Constitu-
ton of the United States? 1t is perfectly
clear that, unless the powers OF the rebel
States are changed or affected by the rebel
lion. Congress cannot fix the qualification oil
n voter within a State. The Constitution
provides but for three elections; Of President,
of Senators, and of Representatives. The
President is chosen by electors appointed in
such manner rs the Legislature OF the State
may elect. Senators are chosen by tho Leg
islatures of the respective States, and mem
bers chosen BY the people OF the several
States, and the electors ct each State shall
have the qualifications quislte for electors
of tho most numerous branch of the State
Legislature. If anything is clear 1t Is that
the trainers of the Constitution meant that
each State should prescribe who should vote.
Tho only limitation upon this power is the
duty OF the National Government to main.
tain in each State Republican form of Gov.
eminent. But again the question recnrs. is
not all this changed in State where the
voters have voluntarily renowned thoir al.
legiance to the General Government? Can
such State renounce all its duties, and yet
insist upon its rights? II is generally nd
mitted, and IL certainly very clear, that the
United States may punish traitor by DO.
priving him of his life, his property and his
franchise. II one, why not all who are
equally guilty? If the entire voting popu-
lation have openly revolted against their
allegiance, II is absurd to say that We have
power to kill them. and yet have no power
to prevent their voting. Again, can we
punish the counterfsiter of our coin with
Acknowledgement. and vet not SO punish a
traitor? II one, why not all? But 1t il
said that il no loyal people are LETT who can
vote. II is sad fact, but very true one.
that the number of such people in the South
ern States would form very narrow ioun-
dation for Republican Government. North
Carolina and Tennessee may contain enough
such. President johnson intends to try the
experiment in those States, but | fear he will
find the spirit Of rebellion too deep rooted
in those who have taken the oath to make
them good citizens. How is II when you
come to South Carolina and Mississippi? II
is said establish in these military govern.
ment. Well, for q time, that may do. hut
it is expensive and contrary to the spirit OF
our institutions. II we can put negro reg'
ments there and give them hayonets, why
can't we give them votes? Both are wea-
pons of offense and defense. Votes are bet.
ter and cheaper. Both are part of the
military necessity put upon us by the rebel.
lion. Both are unpleasant to the rebels !;
but medicines are not usually savory. l
conclude, therefore, on this subject OF negro
voting, that in all States who can claim their
full rights under the Constitution, 1t Is q
question for the State. and that in reyolted
States II is question of policy nnd military
government, to be decided by the national
authorities until the State is fully restored
to its former condition. In some OF the
Southern States would leave them under
military rule until they provide the only
sure security for the future; that the ne
groes should have their share in reconstruc-
ton, us they have borne their share in
fighting. Negro voting may not suit our
natural prejudices of carte. They may DO
ignorant, docile, easily lod and not safely
trusted with political power; but 1t you
admit oil this, they have been true and faith.
full among tho faithless. They have Joined
in putting down tho rebellion; and now to
place them at tho mercy Of those they have
helped us to subdue-to deny them all pc
litcal rights-to give them freedom, but
leave them entirely subject to laws framed
by rebel masters an act OF injustice
against which humanity revolts. Suppose
you deny them suffrage, what then? The
Southern States gain by the freedom OF their
slaves fourteen new members OF Congress
and rs many electoral votes. Not three
ffths but five ffths ure counted. II you
give the same men who revoltcd this in
creased political power, what safety have
you? Suppose ten years ago they had had
this additional power. Kansas would have
been d slave State this day. and they would
have had ample political power to subvert
your Government without resort to arms.
We must have security for the future. All
the evils that perceive may arise from
mixed voting population. are Insignificant,
compared with the two alternatives-the 70.
storing to rebels vast political power, and
the danger and vast expense Of military gov
crnments.
~ The Tribune's Washington correspond
emit calls attention to M act Of Congress just
brought to light, which ID causing much con-
sternaton among Southern aspirants for office