Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-02
THE UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE CUES
TION.

This is the most important question now
before the American people, or that will be
submitted to them for the next four years
to come. 1t may, in all probability, be the
leading feature of the next presidential can
vass. Ifw can devine the political future
by the actions of the politicians of the pres
ent, unquestionably, politics are drifting
rapidly in this direction. The policy of the
administration can alone set at nougbt the
tendency Of this question to become the lead
ing principle in the next presidential canvass
Should the administration determine to give
the loyal colored population of the South, a
voice In the selection of representatives to
Congress, the movements of many leading
men of the nation viii be handsomely anti
cipated This question, looming up so for
midably as it does, calls forth the candid
consideration of every freeman Let him
weigh the issue likely to be presented,
without prejudice, without that rcpulsiYe
feeling toward different race that so fire.
quently controls us, without that display of
vanity which unfortunately for us, in one of
ourleading pecuiarities. Let magnanimity,
patriotism and the best interests of our coun-
try prompt our actions, and if we can then
oppose the principle, let us do it, if on the
other hand we come to the conclusion that
all men are entitled to the expression oftheir
sentiments at the ballot box, let MS say so.
1t is the privilege of every citizen of the
United States to express his views pro or
con, upon any and every leading question,
it therefore becomes necessary for him to
prepare his mind to act intelligently, and to
enable our readers to do this, we intend to
present the views of leading journals and
statesmen through these columns as often
as they appear. This was our object when
we published the article from the Pittsburgh
Gazette two weeks ago, and the extracts
from the Neso York World and Herald a
week or two previous. We desire to make
our paper the reflector of all the leading
ideas of the country, we do not expect that
all win endorse our articles and selections, it
would be very singular, indeed, if it were
so when there is so much diversity of
opinion.
The Copperheads win blindly and fercely
oppose the enfranehisement of the negro
They have advocated the enslavement ofthe
whole race with persistency worthy of bet
ter cause, and now having to yield to the
DEGREES Of abolition, they viii throw every
obstacle in the way of the elevation ofthese
unfortunates. They win appeal to the low
predjudices of the masses, and endeavor to
create greater hatred in the breasts of their
adherents towards them. This may be con-
sistent, but we doubt whether j. is in strict
accordance with the dictates of manliness.
Now, to be plain, we know several dozen OF
colored men that we would sooner see march
to the ballot box and cast their ballots than
an equal number of Oopperheads we can
name. And we are satisfied that the facts
viii warrant the assertion. According to
Copperhead ethics towards and traitors, who
aided and abetted the rebellion as long as
there was rebellion to aid and abet, who
burned barns and saw mills, intimidated
Union men, who held meetings and organ
lied resistance to the draft, who when draf
ted, skedaddled to Canada or other parts un
known, who organized knights Of the Col
den Circle and confederated with the agents
of the rebels to assassinate the President
should vote, while the loyal colored man
who at the call of his country, rushed to the
field, wiling sacrifice for the axiom Of th.
Declaration Of Independence, that all mel
are created equal p and under the eye o
his otfcer and the flag Of bis country charget