The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-14
Tt1EGATECIT'Y.
KEOKUK, IOWA.

DEs MoNEs, Avg. 5, 1855.

- III Iu19e Cole. E, Z . J, So
s Dies Mcnrs, Aug. s, 1855. !.
J. II Wi.dsor, EGG, Bedford, Tdylor Co.,
(o,cG: Fns ~ a
Nh DRAR FRIEND Yours of the 18th of
june, was not received till on the eve of my
departure for st. Louis on the 9th Of July. I
returned about week ago, but an accnmula-
ton of correspondence during my absence,
requiring immediate attention, has delayed
my answer to yours, till to-day. You say
know nv views as to the 4th clause Of the
Union Republican Platform, in relation to
striking the word white ont Of the suffrage
clause Of our Constitution. In othSr wprdA,
upon NEGRO Suffrage You frankly ex.
press your Opposition to it. With reciprocal
frankness, say to you that am in favor of
it, and viii give you as briefly as possible,
though necessarily at some length, my reasons
for the opinion entertain
To strike the word white from our Con-
stitution, is to s.amendn it; and to amend
the Constitution requires that we elect a ma
jority of the members to each House in favor
of the amendment. The amendment NAV be
proposed in either House, but must be agreed
to by majority elected to each House, and
referred to the merit Legislature. Our nsxt
not convene until January, 1868. If a ma.
jority of the members elected to each House
of that Legislature shall agree to the amend
ment as proposed, then it is their duty to pro-
vide for submitting it to the People. The
People would not, therefore. vote upon such
amendment till the Fall of l868-three wears
from now; and if such amendment should be
adopted, the negroes could not vote until the
Fadl OF lsb9-over four years from this--as
long a time as it has taken for the culmina-
ton and suppression of the greatest Rebellion
in the history of the world. Who can say, in
view of the wonderful occurrences aud
changes relating to the negroes in America,
during the past four years, that they will not
be qualified for, or that Iowa will not need
negro suffrage within the nert four years?
II was opposed to negro suffrage to-day, /
would nevertheless advocate the submission
ofthe question according to the forms of the
Constitution, in order that the People might
be able, three years from this, to withhold or
extend the right Of suffrage to the African
race, as the then circumstances may Justify
or require. We live in the midst of important
events, and are enacting history with a ra-
pidity unparalleled, and it becomes us to be
prepared for the emergencies of the future.
feu see, therefore, the question is not,
whether the negroes are prepared for, or it is
the interest OF Iowa to give them the right of
suffrage to-day; but it is, whether we are
willing that the People three years hence NAV
determine for themselves, in the light of the
then surroundings and necessities, as to giving
the right of suffrage 10 that hitherto wickedly
oppressed, but now rising race
But in determining our true policy and dutv
III relation to negro suffrage in Iowa TODAY.
we cannot, as patriots, limit our observation
10 Iowa alone. Iowa has made great, eeuer-
Gus, and bloody sacrifices for the unity and
perpetulty OF our National Government. and
she will not to-day either do or refuse to- any
act, although completely within her own
rightful sovereignty, which may be necessary
TO preserve that government for which her
sons have SO bravely fought and died. The
interests of Iowa are welded to, and insepa-
rabie from, the Union and as in the past she
h's done, 30 in the future she ,ciU do, all that
she can, even to self-abnegaton. to preserve
that Union and promote the common good.
In the military contest just closed, Iowa has
taught her sisters by example. In a question
of political progress she will not now teach by
p,'ecept only.
The National Government has the mower
and It IS alike her necessity and duty 10 see
that the right of suffrage is extended to the
African race in the rebellious States.
l. As to the power. That Slavery was the
cause of the Rebellion: or, in other words.
that the Rebellion was inaugurated in order
10. permanently establish and nernetuate
Slavery, no sane man can deny. The war ON
the part of the Government was to supnress
the Rebellion; and its magnitude was speh az
to call into vitality and require the exercise
OF every war power of the Government. That
power being called into exercise, may right
fully and properly be exerted, not only to
suppress the ehect-Rebelion, but also to
destroy the cause-Slavery,
just as man, met upon the HIGHWAY hv n
rohber presenting his loaded pistol and de-
manding money or life, may not only knock
down the robber and hold him till he promises
obedience to law and duty but may also dis
charge the pistol, take it from him. or kill him
II necessary, SO as effectuallv to secure that
obedience and his own protection. So. the
Government assaulted by Rebellion. promnt-
ed and backed by slavery, may not only ann.
press the Rebellion, but may do such further
acts ms shall be necessary effectually to secure
future obedience to and protection of itself.
II may then discharge the slaves, if it be nee
essary, place them upon the watch towers of
the Republic. -
= PRESIDENT johnson, in his reconstruction
Irociamation (which unfortunately for it and
him, has the promised support of those in the
North who sympathized with the Rebellion
but OF course, such promise even, is faithless.
has prescribed the qualifications of electors
ior the offcers authorized BY it. The Presi.
uent mas seen mt to prescribe the same oualifi-
cations as were fixed by the Rebels themselves
In their pretended statutes but the poser
winch could prescribe such qualifications,
could OF course prescribe other and different
qualiications, for the right to act as an elector
Is derived from the procla,nstioa and not from
the rr6et stotsde. The President then bas hv
universal consent, (for all LOYAL men snnnort
MN IN that the Po,rer to fix the oualfiostsnns
OF voters in the iSebcllipus States ; and hnr;nv
such power know you, as we'll as every ofher
loyal man would GLADLY have him prescribe
negro suffrage tAeye. -S
-, But have digressed from the aronna,,
me seeding States by their acts ofeecess;on.
toiiowea by armed rebellion, have committad
suicide as to their State Governments Rv
our successful efforts in supprassinp tho rehai
non, we have restoredth rightful H,r;sd;o, ;or
and sovereignty of the Federal Governme,.
over all that territory, and the peonle wbo -
man or settle therein. In the exerc;sS &c 81
sovereignty, thus regained. we NAV as,s b, G
and maintain such governments ne shall :.
our judgment, be calculate to seenre md III ~
mote the best interests of the Nat;nnsi frp lo.
s s.,.t - me governed We may, if necessary.
uss W., military government and Continue
- ua.i ane people there shall be prepared for
49, ana Snie administration Of civil pov.
snmsoe we may establish Territorial GOV.
IN WIN certain officers appointiye hv
~ ~ reaerA Exscutive and others olective h.
Tnr.ras. :. possessing such qualifications as