The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-01
WHAT WE MAY EXPECT.

WHAT WE MAY EXPECT.
We showed the other day the useless
ness Of agitating the question Of negro
suffrage in this State, at present.
Doubtless the great majority of the
present voters of Virginia are opposed to
negro suffrage, and if they can get along
without it, will be very well satisfied.
But when the next Congress assemblies
the Representatives from this State may
be denied admission, on the ground that
her form of government is not Republi-
can inasmuch as large portion of the
citizens of the State are deprived of the
right of representation, on account OF
the complexion of their skins.
Is it probable that Congress will refuse
to admit the Representatives of Virginia
and other lately rebellious States, on this
ground? We think SO, forthe following
reasons:
LIST. The Congress that meets next
winter has very large majority of de-
termined Anti-Slavery men. They have
no sympathy with slavery, or any of its
results, and they are not inclined to look
with favor upon any measure that, in
their opinion, will perpetuate the evils
of which slavery was the cause.
I'd. The instinct of self-preservation
will almost compel them to insist on the
non-admission of any State, which con-
tains large number of free negroes not
allowed to vote, but counted as popula-
ton. For, otherwise, in o very brief
time the South would acquire the pre-
ponderance of power; would vote such
measures as it choose; would repudiate
the national debt, or compel the nation
to assume the rebel debt, and, perhaps,
virtually, if not technically, re-estab-
lish slavery and all this through the
additional power in Congress which the
present abolition of slavery would give
them. ....f..
This appears like paradox-but it
may be made plain.
The number of inhabitants required
in district, to entitle it to one member
of Congress, is 10000. In counting
these inhabitants, each free person"
counts one; and while slavery existed,
each slave counted three-ffths of one
five slaves counting three. But now all
the inhabitants of the United States are
"free persons"
What will be the consequence? While
slavery existed each VOTE in the South
went to polls armed with more power
than voter in the Mort, inasmuch as
while it required 10000 white people
in the North to elect one Congressman,
10000 white people and 10000 negroes
in the South, could elect one. But, now,
although slavery is abolished, this prin-
ciple of representation remains, and
every white man will go to polls with,
at least, twice the power that is possess
ed by voter at the North. If, in three
Congressional Districts of the South,
there were 10000 whites and 100000
slaves, these, three districts would be en-
titled to three members of Congress. But
in the same districts nOaO, with $4,000
white people, and 100000 free colored
people, they are entitled to four MEM
bers Of Congress. S. 4
In other words, the four millions of
slaves in the South, before the war,
gave the South twenty additional
members of Congress. The four mil
lions of free colored people now in the
South, not allowed to vote, but counted
as population, will give the South thirty
three additional members of Congress.
This will be considered intolerable by
the men who will compose the next
Congress, and they will be very likely
to resist, in every way possible, what
they would regard as reward for trea-
son. 30.
Thus, there is good reason for the be-
lief that the gentlemen who are SO anx-
ious to represent Virginia in the next
Congress will find hard road to travel;
and that the probability is they will be
sent back to stump their respective dis
tricts on the question of whether it will
be better for Virginia to establish negro
suffrage or to remain territory of the
United States.