Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1865-12-16

toward independence, the Congress of the
| United States instructed the several States
| to institute governments OF their own they
/ lefteach State 10 decide for itself the condi-
/ tioEs Of the enjoyment of the elective iran
chise. During the period Of the Confedera>
cy there continued to exist very great
diversity in the qualifications OF electors IN
the several States and even within State
distinction OF qualification prevailed with
regard to the officers who were TO be chosen.
The constitution of the United States recog-
niZes these diversities when 1t enioins that
the choice OF members of the House OF Rep
resentatiyes of the United States, the elect.
ors in each State shall have the qualitica.
| lions requisite for electors Of the most
numerous number OF the State Legislature.
After the formation of the constitution il
remained as before the uniform usage for
each State to enlarge the body Its electors
according TO its own judgment, and under
his system one State after another has pro-
ceeded 10 increase the numbers OF its elect
ors. until universal suffrage, or something
very near it, is the general rule. SO liked
was this reservation of power in the habits
of the people and so unquestioned has been
the Interpretation of the courts, that during
The civil war the late President never har-
bored the purpose, certainly never avowed
the purpose, of disregarding it, and in the
acts of Congress during that period nothing
can be found which during the continuance
of hostilities, much less after their close,
would have sanctioned any departure by
the Executive from policy WHICH was so
uniformly obtained. Moreover concession
of the elective franchise TO the freed
men by act of the President of
the United States must have been
extended to all coorcd men wherever iGuhd, ana ne
must have established change OF suffrage IN the
Northern Middle and Western States not less than %
the Southern and Southwestern. such an aci would
lhnyc created a new class of voters, and would have
heen nm ASSUMPTION OF power by the President which
nothing in the constitution or laws oil me United
States would have warranted. On the other hand,
every danger of conflict is avoided when the Element
of the question is referred to the several States they
can each for itself decide the measure, and whether
il il to he adopted at once and absolutely reduced
GRADUALLY and with conditions. In my Judgment, the
viii sooner obtain participation in the elective fran
clse through the States than through the "ehera
Even II it had power to intervene, when the tumult
of passion that had been raised by the suldenness
4 will receive the kindest usage from some OF those
whom they have heretofore most closely delematH
close OF The war it is not compatible for the General
Government to extend the elective franchise n the
quires the security Of the freedmen in their liberty
and their property their right to labor and their right
cannot too strongly urge dspassionatc treatment
of this subject which should be carefully kept aloof
from all party strife We must equally avoid party
assumption Of any natural mposSibility for the two
races to live side by side IN state OF mutual Dement,
con sIstency Let us then go and make that eNpe
rment in good faith and not be too easily dlSeartened
The country is in need of labor, and the freedmen are
in need OF employment culture and protection While,
then, right Of voluntary migration ana eYparatioh
ton Let us rather encourage them to honorable and
useful industry where it may be beneficial to them
nations of the certainty OF failure let there be moth
Ing wanting TO the fair trial Of the experiment; Inc
by contract for the status OF slavery the freedmen
cannot fairly be accused OF unwilingResS to works.
in Ills pursuits and the certainty of his recovering his
stipulated wages In this the interests of the EN-
sires in his workmcn spirit and aacrity and they can
he permanently secured in no other way and ii the
} The other The public interest will be best promoted
iii the several States will provide qegrate protection
way accomplished there is no chance for the adyan-
tageoua use of their labor, and the balance OF ill sue
cess will not rest alone ON them.
know that sincere philanthropy is earnest for the
immediate realization OF its remotest aims but time
is always element in reform II Is one OF the great
into freedom The cause of industry must he fairly
opened to them, and then their future prosperity and
condition must alters all rest mainly upon themselves
il they fail and perish away let us be careful that
the failure shall not be attributed to any denial OF Just
ce In all that relates to the destiny oil the recdmen
we need not be too anxious 10 read the future Many
incidents, which, from speculative point OF view,
mrht raj Sc alarn illquietly settle themselves Now
that slavery is end its end the greatness
OF its evil in the point of view OF public economy be-
tally labor and as such backed the States where it
prevailed against the emigration Of free Industry
l. Where labor the property Oi the capitalist, the
white man was excluded from employment or had to
run his best chance Of finding it, and the foreign emil
grant turned away from the region where ms cohut0h
would be so precariOus. With the destruction OF the
monopoly, free labor will hasten rom all parts of the
civilized world to assist IN developing various ana UNI
measurable resources which have hitherto been dor
mant. The eight nine States nearest the Gulf of
Mexico have sort OF eYubeant climate favorable to
longevity and can sustain denser population than is
found as yet any part Of our country and the future
North on from the most celebrated nations in Europe,
from the sulierings that have attended them during
which is sure to be g. for them with greater prosper
ity than ha ever before been known IhG removal OF
gons will be peoped by numerous and Gnerprslng
population, which will vie with any in the universe
industry Our Government springs from and was
made for the people not the people iot Inc Govern
derive its courage, strength and wisdom But while
the Government Is thus bound to deter to me people
very consideration OF its ORIGIN be strong In It's power
, of existence.
The establishment Of CAPABILITIES and mon
opolies, and class legislation, are contrary
to the genius of free government, and ought
not to be allowed. Here there is no room
for favored classes and monopolies. The
} principle of our Government is that OF equal
J laws and freedom of industry. Wherever
: monopoly obtains foothold it is seen to be
source of danger, discord and trouble.
T We shall but fulfill our duties as legislators,
by according equal and exact justice to all
} men, special privileges to none. The Gov
eminent is subordinate to the people, but as
the agent and representative of the people,
it must be held superior to monopolies,
which, in themselves, ought never to be
granted, and which, where they exist. must
be subordinate and yield to the Govern
ment. The Constitution confers on Congress