Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-09-27
j. ELLIOTT KRATZER
Color in Connecticut.

The people of Connecticut are soon to de
eide whether they will strike the word
'',olsite out of that clause in their State
Constitution which prescribes the qualltlca-
tions Of voters
1t seems very absurd at this late day, to
make mere color ground of exclusion from
political suffrage in such aState as Connec-
ticut. There are probably less than two thou
sand colored persons in that State to be at
fected by it, and so far as we know they are
quite as intelligent and well-behaved as the
average of the working classes to which they
belong. At all events Connecticut requires
that every man who votes shall be able to
read and write, and blacks would, of course,
be held to this test in the same way as
whites.
Unquestionably there is a predjudlce IN
the public mind against the blacks, and so
long as four million of them were held IN
slavery it was not wholly unnatural. There
was a certain show Of reason, moreover, III
doubling the propriety of comforting politi-
cal power upon a class of men who would
unquestionably use it always in favor of the
slaves without regard to other demands Of
the-public good. But circumstances have
changed all this. Slavery no longer exists.
The blacks everywhere are now free, and
with the destruction Of slavery the prediu-
9ice which grew out of it ought also to die
| away. So far as political rights and respon-
sibilitIes arc concerned, the mere fact OF col
or should no longer create distinctions a
mong different classes of people. Ii colored
men are as intelligent, as moral, as thrifty,
as worthy and reliable citizens aswhitemen,
| they should be admitted just as freely to the
exercise and enjoyment of political power.
| This should be the case everywhere, though
| it Is easy to understand that predjudlces on
the subject may be so deeply rooted in some
sections as torender such an experiment,
rashly made, unsafe aud unwise. But Con-
ncctlcut certainly ought 70 have outgrown all
such narrow and illiberal sentiments.
The Democrats allege that our govern
ment Is solely for ,ohtte men. They do not
| base their hostility on grounds Of eXpediency,
on consideration of the public welfare; they
| deny the right of the black race to share in
the rights and privileges of Democratic in
stitutions. This is simply absurd and wick
ed. While slavery existed this theory serv-
ed purpose, and was never advanced ex
cept in aid of slavery. But it is now wan
tonly and fagrantly cruel. This govern
ment is for the good Of every body who lives
under it. All races and all classes, are enti-
| tied to its advantages. There are none too
humble for its care And the notion of ex-
Guiding whole race, numbering four Or five
| millions, from its benefits and advantages,
solely on the ground Of color, is one of those
sweeping absurdities or which nobody in
these days, but the Democratic party could
possibly be guilty.
The question at issue in Connecticut is
purely one Of domestic interest. 1t ought
to be decided solely and exclusively on
grounds of the public good, and mere preju-
| dice should have nothing whatever to do
with it. If colored men wouldvoe as intelli-
gently and honestly as white men, they
should be admitted-otherwise not. We
shall be very much surprised if Connect
cut should fail to adopt the amendment pro-
posed.-N T. Times.