The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-06-26
President lincoln on Negro a~nlrraee.


From the Cincinnati Gazette, June "a
Efforts have recently been made to pre-
judics the dispsssionste argument of the
questiono of Universal Suffrage on its merits,
by bringing the weight Of 8 great name "a
bear against it. WhetheFit Is right is, II
is true, q much more important question
than whether Mr.. Lincoln was in favor oil
It; but, while the world stands, we shall
always have large numbers whose princi,
piles are adopted, rather because great men
have believed them, than because Of any
logical conviction of-their truth.
Lately published extracts hsve shown, in
part what Mr.. Lincoln thought il polite tc
say of negro suffrage in the campaigns Of
1858 9. Men who are ready TO accord
weight TO his opinions then will not hest.
tate to give greater weight to opinions
formed in the light of larger experience,
and held down to the morning of the day
of his assassination.
Yesterdays Gazette brought 70 light 8
letter frsm MI. Lincoln, written as long
ago as March, 1863, when Negro Suffrage
was q thing to speak of in bsted breath,
aud with many 3 shuider. Even then, in
advance of almost every leading man Of
the party which supported him, Mr.. Lin
coin was found inquiring-in 3 quarter
where he knew inquiry to be almost equal
TO commsnd-whether the very intelligent
negroes, especially those who had fought
calamity in our ranks, might not be "let
in" "They would probably help" he
adds, tin some trying TIME TO come, TO
keep the jewel of Liberty in the family of
Freedom"
A year later this suggestive inquirydeep-
ened into a settled conviction. On the
evening of 11th April, 1865, in response 10
the congratulations of the citizens of
Washington over the fall of Richmcnd,t the
President read from the portico of the
White House a carefully written speech,
il which, referring to the Louisiana reor-
ganization, he Used these words:
tits unsatisfactory to some to know that the
elective franchise Is not given to tho c5loTed man.
1 would myself prefer that It were nov conferred
on Intelligent colortd zen, AID on these who serve
our cause as s~Oldie.s.
Such were Mr.. Lineoln's views, express
ed with all the deliberation of 8 grave poll
teal manifesto, three days before his death.
Fortunately there is authentic evidence
that they remained unchanged to the end.
In the midst Of the general ecstscy Of
rejoicing over the surrender Of Lees army,
the following letter, never eforepublished,
was addressed by Chief Justice Chase 70
the President:
BALTIMORE, April II, 1865.
MY DEAR SIR When all msnSind sIe cor gratH-
lating sou, one voice heard or not is Of little aC-
eogDt; but l add mine.
+ sm We y anxious about the future and most
alb ut the principles which are to govern re-organ-
iZation for, as theso prime pies are souUd or IN
sound, so will be thu work and is results.
You have no time to rrad u long letter, uor have
1 time to write one; so Will b. urisE.
Ard hTst a. to Virginia By th5 action = every
branch OF the Government We ure committed u
the recognition and maintenance OF tn state cr-
ganizati5n Of which Governor Pier Oat Is the
lead. You know ali the facts, and Tecapi.ulation
would b. useless. Til 70 viii be n pressure for tn
recognition of ihe rebel o. ganizatiDn on condition
Of the profession OF loyalty. 1t will Ie far ,asIer
and wiser, in my Judgment, to stand by The loyal
organization already re oguized.
and noxt as to the Other rebel States.
The easiest and ssfest Eay seems to me to DO the
complexion. and encOu iageMent and support Of
them in ihe re organization OF state Governments
unaer constitutions securing suffrage TO all Iiti-
gems Of proper age and uncOnYicted Of crime.
This, You know, has long bosn my opinion. 1t is
confirmed by observation more ana moro.
This way is by is simplicity, ia
cN1ty, anu above all Justice. Il viii be hereafter
equally aCrige and afllIy If the cJlorsd loyalists
OF this rebel states are left to the co8troI Of re-
stored rebels, nog likely, ia that case, TO no either
wise or just, until taught bolh wisdom and justice
by NV salsmiti0s.
The application Of this principle to Loul lana Is
Q somewhat d.Gicult by tho organ Il. tiun which
has air ady taken place but, happily, the C~oistisu-
tiOn authorizes the Legislature to extend the right
OF suff. age and il is not 20 be d1ubtsd that, ma
sus gsstiOn from the national authorities that its
extension 10 color, d citizens, on equal terms with
white citizens, is believed TO be essential TO tho fu
iure trauquilitJ Of the country, a. WI as just Ia
Itself, tho Legislature will prO1pIy act IN ths de-
sired LirteiiJu. What reaches ne Of the condition
Of things in Louisiana impresses mt strongly wi h
the belief that this eKtsnIiou will 10 Of the great
tst beaedt to the whole population.
The same res Ii can be scared IN Arkansas by
an amendment OF the State Constitution, or, what
would be better, l think, By a new Convention, the
msmteTs Of which should be elected by tho Loyal
citizens, without distinction OF cslor. To all the
other stataI the general principle may be easily
applied.
l most respectfully but most earnestly commend
these matters to your attention. God gives you q
great place and q great opportunity. May He
o-41- - IA rirv u1u II ruCtf;s
noticed thism morning your procIsmatirn closing
law Of forfeiture was we'll considered, and also The
eli. ct Of diacl limitation sgs in t foreign vessels.
MO.ty respectfully and truly yours,