The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-08-31
A Soldier on Universal Suffrage.

ryi-a ling ofbe past!
A Soldier ON Universal Suffrage.
The following communication from one
of our veteran soldiers who, at present is at
home on short furlough, speaks for itself,
and needs no introduction. We commend
it to the careful perusal of the people;
Editor Ken0sba Telegraph:
SIR Il have just received letter from
our Chaplain, Rev. Edward Morris, inform
ing me that was unanimously nominated
to act as Delegate from the 50th Reg. Wis.
Vols, (now at Fort LeaveDwOrth, Kansas
at the Union Convention to be held at Madi-
son on the 9th Of September next.
AS it is not likely that can be there,
take this opportunity Of stating through the
Telegraph what understand to be the opin-
ion of tie 50th Regt. on one of the impor-
tant questions at present before the public;
SHALL THE NEGRO VoTE?
The 5Oth says emphatically, YES ! and
why +?
LIST. Because the negroes were our allies
in war, and we should be their friends in
Peace.
I'd. Because they were the only friends
the soldiers had in the south. If prisoner
hey took him in. If hungry, they gave
him to eat. If naked, they divided their
scanty wardrobe with him.
Sd. Because in the darkest hour of our
national struggle, they shouldered their
musllets and came to the front
4th. Because they never swore (hard
enough to bore hole through an iron pot
that they were British subjects, nor sought
protection papers.
9th. Because they never mortgaged their
property to send their sons to Canada, to
escape the draft.
9th. Because they never joined the
Knights, nor conspired to burn our towns,
and cities, and
Lastly: Because, if you do not give
them the right of suffrage when our armies
are withdrawn from the south they will
have to suffer for all just punishment our
soldiers inflicted on secession. The poor
Freedman will have to lick the red scourge
Of his southern Lord.
Sir, not to be friendly to our colored Pa
triots would be base ingratitude on our part,
and ingratitude is crime detest more
than breach of the whole decalogue-8th
and 10th articles excepted. Taxation with
out representation is tyranny" says the elo-
quent Patrick Henry. Ifthat text is tue
for the white man, is it not equally true for
the colored?
You have made the slaves Freedmen, but
your freedom is a mockery without the
rights belonging to Freemen. Will you
tax four millions Of people, and not allow
them a voice in choosing their law
makers? If so take back your bogus free
dom. 1t is an insult to honor, justice, and
Truth. All consumers are tax payers, and
here are four millions of Tax payers with
out representation, in the very heart of our
great Republic, and yet our constitution
guarantees each state a republican form of
government. The census Of the southern
States, shows that majority of their citi-
zens by war made free, have no representa-
ton as an equivalent for the enormous tax
they contribute to our treasury Now in the
name of common sense, you sticklers for the
constitution as il a0GS, what sort of Republi-
can form of government would you call it,
where the majority is disfranchised?
Keep it before the people that taxation
without representation is Tyranny. Oh, for
the eloquence Of a Henry, to louise the apa-
thetic to a sense of their duty--to imprint
this great truth upon the hearts of all, IRE.
spective of party, and that all may join,
and each party vie with the other in justice
to this poor, oppressed race, who look up
to us for protection.
1t may be said that the negro will abuse
the right OF suffrage because he is Ignorant.
Well, granted that in some instances II
may be abused; no human institution is
perfect but it is more abused by intelli-
gent knavery, than by ignorant simplicity
In England and Ireland, the Borough Towns
are represented by the highest bidder. Even
in our country the largest ''PILE" will some
times demora lie even our representatives.,
must we then, according to that doctrine
give up our representative form of govern
ment, and lapse into imperial despotism
Must commerce cease because some Sims
may be lost ?
1t is no use for us to talk of our southern
brethren, while we are recreant to our duty
at home. Let US give the right of franchise
to our colored citizens, subject only to the
same laws by which it is enjoyed by the
white men. Il will NOS do to retrograde
in the march Of freedom. Let this be made
the text at the coming election, and may
God defend the right
Hoping that n-handed justice NAV be
dealt out to the black Patriot as well as to
the white rebel, and traitor,
remain Sir your humble Servt.,
HUGH MoDERMoTT,