The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-07-13

UNIVERSAL SUFFRAeE.-The question of
Negro Suffrage in connection with recon
struction at the South, is one that is Just
now most prominently before the American
people, and we are therefore not surprised
that it should have been one of the topics
touched upon by almost every speaker in
the late 4th of July celebration We refer
to the Grafton of Gen. Paine, delivered in
this city, on the LIST page of this paper, for
the noble words of a gallant soldier on the
subject. Ex-Gov. Solomon of this state
spoke at Oshkosh, and as we learn from the
Northeastern, took the ground that all dis.
tinction of color in the exercise of the cleo
tive franchise should be abolished.
Hon. Henry Winter Davis of Baltimore,
in his speech at Chicago on the 4th, thus
defined his position on Reorganization aud
Negro Suffrage:
ss' a law Immediately prescribing univer-
sal suffrage is the only lssue of reorgauiza!
ton; or, better still, let this Congress pass
this by their two,third majority, which
they have, as an amendment to the Consti-
tuition, and let this be submitted before the
Legislatures adjourn, for their confirmation
[Applauselt And when it shall have re.
ceived the assent of three ourths. of those
that are now recognized as States, let them
Instantly proclaim it as the fundamental
law of the lapd-the supreme law, as valid
aud binding az the Constitution itself, of
which they will have made it part, which
no event in the future except the triumph
of slavery again over free institutions, can
ever shake or call in question:
We cannot shut our eyes to the fact, (and
we would not if we could, that if we would
secure to the present and future generations
any PERMANENT good as a part compensation
for the terrible sacrifices of the four years
We have just gone through, some such course
as that presented by Mr.. Davis, must be
taken by the Republican party at the next
session of Congress. We cannot hope for
the extension Of suffrage by any executive
order. or proclamation, and we are inclined
to the belief that the President is right in
not attempting to extend the elective fran
chise 1t can be done more effectually and
more certainly, by making universal suf-
frage the fundamental law of the land, co.
equal aud eoextensive with the oonstitu-
ton itself
II the blacks, the only loyal class, in the
rebel states, are at this time deprived of the
elective franchise, the gift of Freedom that
has come to them out of the trials and trib-
ulations Of this war, will not only be robbed
OF its most essential benefit, but will be rem.
dered even, of very precarious existence -
All the testimony we have from the ultrs
slaveholdiug regions is to the effect that
the late Shareholders insist upon their righ
to the labor of their late slaves and that
they are determined to lay every obstruc
4 ton in the way Of the elevation of the freed
men, or of the amelioration of their condi
ton. Left to the tender nlercies of thei
conquered, enraged, embittered, and cha
, grined masters without the shield and pro
lection of the right Of suffrage, and theil
condition will be hopeless, indeed. Re
enslavement or expatriation would be thu
fate that would sooner or later .overtakt
: them. The former would be certain i'll thu
event Of the Democracy again gaining as
n cendancy in the national councils.