New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-22
sENaToR NICMOLsON's vIRw.

SENATOR NICHOLsON's VIRW.
The letter of the Hon. A. o. Z. NICHOLSON
of Tennessee, herewith printed, is worthy OF
thoughtful consideration, and we trust VIII re-
ceiye il. We are moved TO add few suggeS-
tons.
Mr.. Nicholson lives in State whereof the
White Unonsts have obtained civil control,
and have used it BY DISTINGUISHING tho late
Rebels, leaving the Blacks (all intensely loyal)
unenfranchised Missouri is in the same pre-
dicament; Arkansas, we believe, much the
same; Kentucky not very much different. so
there is not. as Mr.. n. would seem to suppose,
merely question whether the ex-Rebels shall
or shall not eniranchise the Blacks; there is the
further question whether the White unionlsts
shall enfranchise large portion OF tho ex-
Rebels. 1t seems to Us that here is tangled
labyrinth. from which the most obvious, benef-
cent egress lies through UNIVERSAL AMNESTY
and UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE Let us rule out all
disabilities, all impending penalties, and take
fresh, fair start all around. Why is not this
bestl And is the liberality all on one side 7
We assure Mr.. Nicholson that he would not be
called to brave more caumny, odium, bitter
ness from those with whom he has hitherto
acted, in favoring Universal Suffrage than We
do in standing VI for Universal Amnesty.
Nor is it Just to arraign the Boston advocates
lof Universal Suffrage enforced by National au-
thority as impertinent, OF even gratuitous IN
termeddlers. Tie Suffrage question is not OF
purely local concern-far from it. Here is our
National Credit to be maintained, our National
Debt TO be paid of, by oneroua, persistent tax
alton. We would not hint thai NJ. Nicholson
would, under any circumstances, repudiate that
Debt; but he certainly would not vote to pay it
as heartily, as gratefully, as would one who had
been emancipated by the war which created it.
We will not enlarge on this head; but Mr. n.
will surely realize that the theme f prolific anu
suggestive.
Again: We have just emerged from a great
struggle. In that struggle, we Jealous Union
lists feel that the Blacks have been very helpful
to US. Mr. Nicholson says he cannot and does
not blame them for their course, and we fully
believe him. Can he Lot appreciate our feeling
that il would be dishonorable in US to turn them
over unprotected to DO dealt with as their late
masters shall see fit-those masters being not
nearly all so considerate nor so enlightened as
| is Mr.. Nicholson. Why will he not see that We
owe those Blacks protection, to the extent of
our power, against future prescription or pun
ishment for their devotion to the National
Causel VIII he not consider that the yctors
in such struggle have obligations to fulfill,
duties to perform, and irritationS to aSSuagc, as
well as the yanquished
Mr.. n. objects to q remark Of ours implying
that the legal relation between master and
slave rested on pure, naked force. We might
quote from Jefferson and many other eminent
Southcrners--and even Southern jurists-in sup
port of our position, but forbear Suffice it that
VIC intended no otfense.
We do not care now to discuss the power of
the Union over this subject of Suffrage; but we
protest against the assumption that the time for
agitating it is i'll chosen 1t is now or never, Mr..
Nicholson! as you will realize on fuller con-
sideration. With your States reconstructed"
and fully represented in Congress, mainly by
those who have been Rebels, the power of the
North over the subject will have lapsed for
ever. You will then tell us that our opportun-
ity has passed, quite as freely and confidently
as you now tell us chat it has not yet come.
We may be beaten with regard to Black Suf.
frage; We shall not be beguiled.
How natural, how obvious the suggestion
that the South should obviate all difficulties as
to intermeddling" by simply doing right! Let
her assemble the ablest, wisest most intelligent
of her colored mon and, after due conference
and mutual explanations, agree with them as to
what Is just and proper. We are sure they will
be found moderate, sensible, and amenable to
reason. We have no shadow Of doubt that they
would cheerfully agree t. \ basis Of Suffrage
that would restrict voting to men who could
read intellgently and had paid tax within the
past year. This would not Immediately enfran-
chise one in fifty of them-perhaps not one in
Eve hundred-but it would profer to all an
ncitement to industry and thrift with pledge
hat they should be enfranchised SO fast as they