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

NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
Shall the Freedmen of the reconstructed
States be allowed to vote ?-is a question
which is now eliciting very anxious enqui-
not little misrepresentation. Divesting
the matter Of all prejudice, and considering
it as matter of policy and justice, we
have no hesitancy i'll declaring for the en-
reimbursement of the colored population of
the Secession States.
Whilst we would avoid all the sickly SEN
timentality Of the GARRISON and PHILLIPS
school, equally with that unjust prejudice
which makes color the cause of prOscrip-
tion, in our judgment, the proper settle
ment of the Reconstruction policy, with
reference to justice to the blacks, and the
peace Of the future, demands that the Freed
man should be invested with the elective
franchise, and be allowed at the polls to
give expression to his undouhtcd loyalty
and devotion to the Union
At the outset, we are tauntingly rcmin-
dcd that i'll many Of the Free States, the
colored man is disfranchised-an we are
gratuitously advised to make the expert
ment there, before comforting Il privilege
upon him in States where the privilege of
depOsiting a ballot will excite the most
dcep-seated and bitter feelings of caste. The
rebuke would be proper, perhaps, under or
dinary circumstances, but has no applica-
ton when we consider tie question with
reference to the future pcrmanency and
peace Of the Union.
As general rule, the privilege of cast,
ing a vote, depends upon no considerations
of intelligence or morality. The most ig-
norant foreigner, after the necessary time
Of residence, and forms of naturalization,
however unfit he may be discreetly to cast
ballot, may enjoy that right equally with
the wisest patriot. The only qualification
seems to be that Of Color The negro in
most Of the States is not allowed to vote.
however competent he may be to vote in
telhgcntly. Those who fear the enfran-
chisement Of the blacks of the South be-
cause of their ignorance and unfitness to
enjoy that right, should remember that they
are not the only class whose ignorance
might be urged as a reason for disfran-
chisement. There is a class III the South,
whose right to vote is unquestioned, but
whose standard of intelligence is much be.
low that Of the blacks of the same section.
We are not without numerous and lamen-
table instances in the North of unintelli-
gent voting. These examples however,
are not brought forward as reason why
other unqualified persons should be allowed
to vote But we believe that the blacks of
the South, with their aptitude for learning,
and their thirst after knowledge prizing as
they would the right to vote, would soon
come to exercise that privilege intelligent
ly. Cneducated they undoubtedly are, for
it has been the policy of their masters to
keep them ignorant but throughout the
pdSI Wal, llICy ldhC SilO"H IL ICdllZdUiOU Ol
its objects, and an appreciation of it's re-
suits, which illustrates how quick they are
to learn and understand.
Does not justice to the blacks, as well as
policy imperatively require that they be
cnfranchised ? If 50, then there should be
no hesitancy in putting aside all prejudice,
and meeting the question fairly The coun-
try has done tardy credit to the colored
man, for the part he has taken in putting
down the Rebellion. How much he has
contributed to this great result, the pages
of history will tell. Always loyal, the
fainting, weary, escaped prisoner has never
appealed for succor in vain to person
with black skin and the thousands who
have worn the uniform of the Union. have
left imperishable records of their devotion
to the cause and their bravery in the field.
The government has called upon the blacks
to sustain and uphold the banner of the free.
The necessities of the war has struck the
Shack!cs from their fettered limbs. Whilst
the white population of the Slave States,
have been disloyal, the blacks have been
true. Have they not a right to expect all
the privileges at the hands of the Govern
ment, conferred upon the disloyal? Will
that Government, which cried to them in
their sore distress for help, now be ungen-
erous, when through their aid, the day of
trial has passed, and the danger averted
We see no satisfactory indications that
the fell spirit of Secession is subdued.
Though overborne by the superior resour-
ces, endurance and prowess of the North.
the aninlus remains unextinguished. The
rebel leaders to-day would renew the war,