The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-11-02
Shall We Vote for the extention of Suffrage.

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We have on several occasions, heretofore.
expressed our ideas upon the subject of the
amendment Of our State Constitution ex-
tending the right of suffrage to all citizens
of the State We hope there are no Repub-
licans in the county who have not already
made up their minds to vote in favor of
that amendment. Although the committee
on resolutions at the Union State Conven-
ton saw fit, or deemed it prudent or polite
to ignore Universal Suffrage as plank in
in the Union platform, and deemed it poIit-
ic not to make it a political question, it is
nevertheless true, that Universal Suffrage
and equality before the law, is democratic
republican principle, and one that must be
included in the foundation of every Repub.
lican Government that would, live, and es-
cape the terrible experiences through which
we have passed during the past five years
Every true republican, then, will vote for
the extension of suffrage not because it was
or was not made plank-in state plat
form, but because it is fundamental prin-
cipal of RepublicaDism. Ii
In this connection, we cannot refrain
from urging our democratic friends in the
county to vote for the extension of suffrage
because it is the very groundwork of Democ-
racy. And because an ardent working
democrat, who is laboring his very best, for
the election of Gen. Hobart and the balance
of the democratic ticket may know best
how to address the democracy upon this
subject, we take the following from the
Green Bay dd0ocGte of last week. s...
eff we discuss the mere matter of right
in defining the status of the white and black
men in the south, no mind capable of COM
pretending the commonest justice ought to
hesitate moment. The one has met us
with musket in hand to tear down the
government and erect an aristocratic or
monarchical one in its stead; the other has
come to our aid in all possible ways. One
has starved aud tortured our prisoners to
death; the other has succored and helped
them to escape. One has fought through
four years of desperate and exhaustive war
to destroy us, and well nigh succeeded; the
other has staked his all upon the success of
our cause, and believed in it with a faith,
simple, confding, enduring, which has at
once challenged our wonder and emulation.
We had no friends in the south but the ne
groes. Even the men whose Judgment
was against secession did nothing to pre-
vent it. When we were beset by thieves,
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, these
Priests and Levites passed by on:fthe other
side. 1t was only the negro who came
l binding up our wounds, bringing us knowl-
edge of the enemy, and toiling after our ar
mics in any service that was deigned to let
4 them perform. Now, with these things be-
fore us, we may attempt to hold fast to our
old predudices against Triggers" and we
may keep saying to ourselves that this is a
''white mans government" but if we turr
our backs upon the negro ana, unaiding
let him fall back into the clutches of biz
oppressor, we shall not deserve the name Of
men. This is not "white mans govern
ment'' if it does deed so dark and damna
ble
1t may not be best to decide on giving
the negro the right to vote, as recognition
Of his patriotism and fidelity. That may
not be boon to him. We have advocated
it more to turn, IA far as in our power
public sentiment into the right channel
than as a measure to be practically accom-
plished. There are thousand tons of rec
tape in the way of it, even if it ought to b,
enforced. There is all this about the RICH
of States TO fix their own qualifications 70
voting. There is this irrelevant question
hitched on to it about negroes voting in FIRE,
States. And beyond and worse than all
there is this toadying and cowardly spirit
among Northern politicians among boil
parties which exhorts them to keep in shap,
to receive the embraces of the South wheI
it shall have got back again. There are
other questions as to intelligence and fitness
And there is the overhanging doubt wheth
er the ballot will make future masters oil
{ their old masters, so that all the votes we
shall add on to the South will be controlled
by them and against US. But however tina
matter is decided, this government should
stand by them. 1t should be their mex
friend. If,as is claimed, they are too ignor
ant to vote, and to liable to be domineere,
over by their employers, the Government
it is white mans government, should III
terpose its friendship and guardianship
They have risked their lives for us in time
of Deed. They staked their own future il
serving us. If, in our haste to clasp hands
with their old masters, we tread upon then
now, this fair and victorious North will b,
blacker and fouer than the cities which Goo
whelmed in fires of wrath.
Sc far as the matter concerns the Repub
llcan or Union party, let that take care 0
Itself. What we have to say about it. W.
propose to say from the midst of the demo
cratic ranks. Iflthere are men on our sid,
still disposed to incite prejudices by harpins
about the ''nigger,} I'VE deny theirright t.
intlict their low ideas upon the party We
question no mans right to his own opinions
We only deny his right to continue to IN K,
so good, 80 gallant, 30 generous an organi
cation as the Democratic party has been
the exponent Of these narrow, mean AM
wicked ideas. We are not afraid Of the ne
gros competition in mental development
in literature, nsocial relations, or in the
control of our political affairs When we
come to be afraid of it we shall fall so low
in our own estimation that we shall certain
ly retire fromthe discussion of political or
any other affairs"
Mr.. SHoLEs' ADDRESS We publish on
our fourth page the address prepared by G
c. Sholes, our candidate for State Senator
to the Republican Voters of Kenosha County
AS an exposition of the views and politica
I C