The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1865-06-03
We regard the question as fraught


are eaIIed--np9n TO consider. 1n the re-
construction of the Government Of Che re-
VOTED States, atthis time, we may bequeath
tosflturs generations LEGACY Of peac6, hap
mess and prosperity, or legacy of fratri
cidal war and -interninable strife If the
nation has been SO purified by the fiery or
deal through which we have passed, as to
throw off the shackles and prejudicss fas-
tened upon II by slavery, then we appre'
bend for it glorious destiny. But if it
is Il, be napscled by these. our pathway
viii Do as dark as this black, heartless in
stitutiou that binds these letters upon US.
Ia recognizing the governments Of the re-
VOTED States; will rebels be allowed to vote?
viii loyal black men be disfranchised?
VIII LOCAL State Constitutions, as they we're
before the war, prescribe who shall exer-
else the elective franchise? Or win the
national Government assume supreme con-
troll over them and determine who shall
vote? These are questions of the hour.
We lay down as proposition, that reVolted
States have forfeited by thier rebellion,
whatever authority or power they had un-
der the Constitution of the national Gov
eminent, and of their lJcal State Constitu-
tons. Consequently, the United States
Government must exercise supreme con-
troll over them, until local State governments
are established in harmony with the Con
stitution and laws of the United States.
II our premises are true, it follows as a
logical consequence, that the United States
Government is the only authority in the
revolted States. 1t should disfTanchise
rebels, and sufranchise loyal black men.
Buff we concede that local State constitu-
tions govern in this matter, we are out at
sea without compass or rudder to float as a
vaif on the pillows of an interminable strife.
Just reflect for moment. The Ccnstitu-
ton Of Virginia would recognize as legal
voters, Lee, Wise, Faulkner and Hunter.
Can any loyal man suppose that the United
States would allow these men to vote? In
South Carolina and perhaps others of the
reyolted State 8. their Constitutions require
property qualification in order to vote.
In como 0F thASA States man must own
either so many slaves, or so much land.
After the Emancipation Proclamation, will
our Government stultify itself by allowing
as condition to the exercise ofthe elective
franchise, that the voter shall be bona tide
owner of human chattles, whippsr of Wo-
men and babies? No, never! We there
fore see how perfectly absurd, and how dan
gerous It would be to Government aud the
loyal men of the South, to coucede that the
various Constitutions of the revolted States
shall determine who shall be legal voters in
the reconstruction of these States. But on
the contrary, We affirm that those revolted
States have forfeited their former rights, by
their rebellion, and that their rebellous
sons have no rights that the United States
Is bound to respect. The leading rebels
have but one right left-and that is to be
hung-The masses who have aided the re-
bslIion also have one-and that is to be dis
franehished until they bring forth the fruits
meet for rspentance.) If the Government
assumes control over these rebellious State.
until they are fully Georganized, then they
have right to determine who shall vote
IEhas the right to disfranchise its foes, and
snfranchise its friends. But says one, yor
would not allow ringers" to vote. especially
before they can read or write. Most GER
tainly we would. White men are allowed
to vote before they can read and write W.
would not require conditions of the loya
black man who has been prohibited from
being taught to read by an oppressive
law, that we do not require Of white men
who have had better advantages; beside i
would be pandering to the prejudices, which
slavery has fastened on the public mind OF
the ground Of COLOR They have -Rrit-
ten their loyalty, and their patriotisna. ia
characters Of blood. In the beginning Of
9he war, an unatarql prejudice of color
prevented them from eplisting in the army
of the Union. But no sooner did tht
Government call for their assistance; than
did thousands rally around the flag of the
Union for its defense-A flag TOO that had
lbsen to them more an emblem of opprss-
sion, than Of freedom; and now after they
have cOntributedin eYey possible way ;otbe
suppression of the rebellion; after they
have stood side by side with our brothers
in the thickest Of the battle for our defense;
after their blood has Redeemed hundred
battle fields. aud their bones lie bleaching
among our patriotic slain; and after they
have BY their undying devotion TO- The
AUnions resolved the cruel and 6end, like treat
msnt and hatred of rebels. shall we aban-
don them to their hate without the ballo,
L.: 81 80,