The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-07-21

subject by referring to several Of the free
States, whose constitutions restrict free
. blacks in the exercise of some of the ustl-
al rights of citizens. But these arc not
} practical questions before the country
The General Government has no present
L. cognizance of those questions in those
. States. Besides, as we have said, the ex-
ercise of this extraordinary authority must
be upon practical and reasonable grounds,
and not on mere theory. The partial dis
, fanchisement of people of color in those
States we regard as one of the subtle ef-
fects of the slave power in our politics,
which we hope to see pass away with its
; cause. The number OF persons whom it
bears upon is so small, the effect upon
, them so slight, and such the state of soci-
{ ETY., and the habits and feelings of the
people, that the substantial character of
those States as republican Is not sensi-
J bly, affected. Departure from principle,
however small, must always be regretted;
but in the vast and critical affair. of ma
tions, slight alterations from exact princi-
pies are constantly occurring, and are con-
stantly submitted TO and allowed for, in
!, fundamental institutions, as well as in oc-
!, casional practice. The case of the rebel
States is vastly and absolutely different.
!, 1t presents a question of a false principle
organized and brought into action, with
vast dimensions, having already created
one war. and all but destroyed the Repub-
lie, and ever threatening danger hereafter
We can hardly think it in good faith that
the effort is made TO deter the nation from
confronting this vast peril. over which it
, has present and necessary jurisdiction. by
invoking these slight cases found remain
ing in loyal States over which the nation
has no present cognizance, and from which
it has nothing to fear.
We do not ask that the nation shall in
, >i>t on an unconditional. universal suf-
frage. We admit that States determine
for themselves the principles upon which
they will act, in the restrictions and con-
ditionS they place upon suffrage. All the
States make restrictions of aye. sex AMI
residence: and often annex other conli-
2 tions operating i'll substance equally upon
5 all, and reasonably a;tainable 10y all.
! Those matters lie within the region of ad-
= vice from neighborS. and not OF national
c authority. We speak only 10 the point
a where the national authority comes i'll.
: We cannot require the rebel States. ii we
; treat them aS States. 10 adopt a system,
= for the sole reason that we think it right
: OF that. each State. acting a. Il State.
/ must he the judi &c. Bat i'll the situation
: in which the rebel States now are. the na-
/ ton can insist upon what is Necessary TO
c public safety and peace. Ans! We declare
f it to be our belief that il the nation al-
l. mitS rebel State 10 it, full functions with
V a constitution which does moi secure ,o
o the freedmen the right of suffrage in such
: manner is TO be impartial and not based
: in principle upon color. and rs TO he rea-
: sonably attainable by intelligence and
# character. and which does not place in
Il their hands a substantial power 10 defend
g their rights Us citizens at the ballot-boX.
: with the right To be educated. TO acquire
@ homeStcadS and TO testify in courts. the
n nation will he recreant To lis duty TO itself
+ and to them. and will incur and deserve
e TO incur danger and rrproach proportioned
:. TO the magnitude OF lis responsibility.
e Ii should not be forgotten that, slavery
n being abolished and Herewith the three
J. iiitilS rule Of the Constitution. nearly two
}; millions will he added 10 the Representa-,
c tive population of the slave States in tn,
# apportionmcnt for members OF CongreS:
;. and OF votes in Presidential elections, ans
that this increase of political power TO tn,
@ rebel States must he ut the expense OF tn,
+ free States. If the freedmen remain. Il:
: they now arc. di>iranchised, this increased
V power will be welded 10y class of voter:
,t smaller i'll proportion than before. Thi.
is furnishes an additional temptation to tha
=. class TO retain il in their hands and w
e shall be compelled 10 meet. rs heretofore
the old spirit, not improved by lis recen
?, experience, and LARGELY increased in IFS po
le litical power
=" A. we speak from free State. it ma,
p be suggested that we are not 80 good Judge
fo OF what should he done for the colorc,
!, people of the South ~ those who have bee
nj brought up among them. 1t does not follow
,e that those who have been brought up unle
cs abuse are the best Judges whether it shall a
.l be- continued, or of what shall be subStitu
D, ted in its place. The people of the Mort
m have seen the colorcd races acting as free
j. men under free institutions, which til
,t people of the South have not They VIII
IN have known the man of color only rs
slave before his master. or sometimes us
;r disiranchi>ed free min under slave sy>
g. TEN embracing his race, are not the onl
10 nor necessarily the best qualified class
Mt give an opinion rs to what he may do o
r what should be done for him as fire.
of man, under free systems History teache
I'd us that national emancipations do not en-
" anate from the masters And wherev,
a emancipation has seemed TO diSappoint e,
n pectatiOns, the difficulties are traceable,
p- large measures, to persistent and mutt
ed form counteractions by the late maste
IN class.
be Appeals may be made to taste or pride
10 on the subject of the social equality
81 the people of color. We must not perm