The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-19

tAGuD . NAlt ~ WV An
Union glowing in their hearts; with O
civilization and system Of labor in con-
with those of the North; ready,
willing, fit and DESTROYS of forming po-
litical connections with loyal States and
making indeed that which our fathers
aSGUnionl of hearts anda Union
of hands of strength, vigor and power
defy the world in the arts of peace or
deeds of war. Loud applause.
Ifany one should suggest that we are
putting too far away tile time for the re-
of the Government, to him
say that We are as ready and anxious
to receive back the South into the Union
as he can be, provided only that 1t Is q
Loyal South, ready to aid in bearing the
National burdens, paying the National
debts and sustaining the National Glory,
and illustrating the Nations justice to
all men. Does lie wish to receive The
South without these conditions d? nay,
more, ii still I'M haste for loyal recon-
that at the South there are nearly SIX
millions of more than one-third
Of the inhabitants, always faithful to the
Government fighting its battles and
almost worshippfng its flag, as loyal as
they are black; but / am sorry to say
the admiXture of the white blood of then
former masters prevents me from say
ing, '.in every instance as black as
they are loyal. loud laughter and APP
plause.) / am ready to have these vote
and then | have no fear Of a disloyal
South. fApplause.) III this ! am ans
wered that the negroes are toD ignorant
to vote. They knew more about Gov
n1.pt mani than tbair, uluatppS-fbay knpw
enough to be loyal. They knew enough
to celebrate the fourth of July this year
down South, and they were the only
who did know enough to do
that. Besides, if one must choose now,
| had rather trust loyal ignorance than
disloyal intelligence. loud applause
Again, / am answered that If the
vote they will vote as their
masters tell them. Why then is not the
master in favor of their voting ? Besides
the white man will have AT the votes
f the negro does not vote; will he have
my more than all if the negro votes
With him [Applause.l Again, it is
if the negro votes, he will be
he equal of the white man, and I am tri.
asked, "Are you in favor of
legro equality?" 1 answeryes, equali-
y of political rights. loud applause
As to any other equality my "pride OF
ace teaches me that my race is SUI
'erior to his. i am not afraid ola con-
est with him for that superiority, Civ
ng him fair play. If God has made
my superior, he will show it. I
certainly will not attempt to prevent
nim from asserting that superiority if he
has it, by wrong and injustice. Zap
There are two theories upon which
these questions can be determined,
are held by different classes of
men, generally divided as they have
been during the war by their opinions
and true ~sympathies.
Those who are continually crying out
hat the negro is their inferior, act as if
hey were afraid that giving him u fair
icld he would show himself equal or
hyperion. The principle of justice as
erted this, that every man should have
he right to be the equal of every other
nan if he can. LApplause.] Now, as
understand it, the trne loyal Union
nen do not insist that every negro shall
TOte. But what we do ask, in the name
If justice and right, is that the eualifica-
ion of voters shall be equal. Fix the
standard where you please. If the black
comes up to it let him vote. If
neither, neither. loud applause.1
] would be content that the Massachu-
sets qualifications of reading and writ
ing should apply to all men, White and
although | am SO much of an old
Democrat that l believe that
the right of Self-Government resides in
the man rather than his accidents. But
practically, throughout the country, /
fear such qualifications would be i'm
possible. But there is one claim / do
make, and although not provided for by
he Constitution, and only to be reached
~ amendment, military or other device
hat may be expedient.
Soldiers who have fought our battles
or us and saved the country shall have
I vote in the Government of the coun-
,ry,' wherever they may be. (Ap-
He who is worthy of handling
bullet in defense of the country should
q ballot in the Government of the
The fact Observing his coun-
Try in the field should be his certificate
Of naturalization, his Acknowledgement,
mis- citizenship, his qualification to vote
loud applause.) tits due
o those in whose hands we have trusted
he mnsket, that they should have the
,allot. Grant this, and the equality of
light to the ballot in white or black Ia
ettled at one and forever. We are
allied radicals, because we advocate
his measure and thus point out the
way for the more speedy reconstruc-l
ion of the Southern States, but we arej
he true conservatives. Put the ballot
the hand Of the negro under what
YER reasonable rest rictiop. aud ynu sona
guard with him for his protection at
II times and everywhere. Having the
over to redress his own wrongs and to
'sert his own manhood, you may with
raw your armies from the slavehold-
q States, as far as he is concerned.-
can protect himself, and will not
bel against the laws he helps 10 make
it'll the ballot. Your national expen-
may be lesened and your debt dimin-
ned. The negro will vote joyfully to
y for the war expenses which gave
m liberty, property and life, while his
will repudiate that debt which
hs contracted in subjugating him. 1t
for the interest of bond holders in the |
nfted States that the negro should |.
tie. Your 730s are worth a premium
ten per cent. if the negro has the bal
t. There will be neither fear of as
Imption of the rebel debt, or the re-
ldiatiOn of our own from his vote.-
Applause.) |.
10 this it is objected that, neither Con-
'ess nor the President can give this
anchise; it is placed by the Constitu-
on OF our fathers in the hands of the {
sead states. True, out it was not
~ u fathers in the hands of J