The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-08-09


State banks to National associations.
From the Boston Traveller. ..
A Voice from Tennessee.
BosToN, July 9.
Having been born and brought up
among slaves-white, black and mixed,
and believing that know something Of
tho Dirins Institution, I desire to
present few facts in regard to negro
suffrage. I take tho ground that the
negro should vote, lst, because tho eter-
nal principles of justice demand it; I'd,
because as question of political econo.
nv it is wise and expcdicnt measure
that be should vote immediately. .r
On my side have precedent, author
| ity and sound reason. What is the pre-
ccdentY Every reader Of history is
aware that in nearly all the colonies at
the breaking out Of the American Rcvo-
luton the free negroes voted, and were
sought after as soldiers by both contend
| ing parties. FREQ negroes voted in my
native State (Tcnncssce) for thirty years.
General Jackson called them fellow.cit-
izens. Their votes we're eagerly bid for
by both Wings and Democrats, and the
only objection ever urged against their
voting was that it might have a demor-
aliziug influence on the slaves. Hence
the law cnfranchisiug free negroes was
repealed.
Old Uncle Alexander Trimblc, form.
erly slave of my grandfather, voted
often in Tennessee. lie was as black as
u tub Of tar, and could neither read nor
write. No objections were offered. But
now the conservatives, and some Of the
very men for whom he voted, say the nc.
gro should not vote. And men say this
who have committed the black crime Of
treason. Such men should rel oico that
they might now be allowed to vote for
such bluck men as Uncle Alexander.
Regarding such men can only exclaim,
o hmpora, Omores! Again, Massachu.
setts, the real Empire State ofthis Union,
aud New York and other States have long
allowed negroes to vote under certain re:
strictions. Why did our ancestors, and
the wise legislators Of the aforesaid States
allow the negro to vote? Plainly be-
cause per Sc it was right under our De-
cluration of Independence, and because
the elevation of the negro helped the
general public. Why then now this
foolish croaking all over the country
about the ncgro's capacity to vote? There
is but one answer. 1t is maliciously intel
liycnt, or iguorautly mean prejudice such
as the Cets over here are incrustcd
with.
The universal right of suffrage, then,
being founded in justice, and backed up
BY such high authority and precedence,
and tho negro having achieved this right
on the battlefield, and helped to preserve
the life of the Government in its hour
of utmost peril, cannot sec why that
Government should hesitate one single
instant to accord to him every right given
by our laws to every other American cit
izcn. a..'.
One word as to the negro's capacity.
The argument is made that he is too ig.
noraut. Very good certainly not more
SO, to all intcnts and purposes, than tho
degraded "whito niesers'' Of the South,
and the illitcrate Pats Of the North.
TO remedy this, make general law, Ia
Massachusetts,, as to reading und writing,
which will keep from the polls almost us
many whites as blacks. g.,
But l know of my own knowledge
down even in the swamps Of Arkansas,
and on the cotton plantations Of Missis'
sippi, the negro is very cnger to learn,
and will add, capable Of it, after rcmov.
ing the iron heel. In the name Of God
and humanity, why put any more letters
on him q? .. :..
One word more, Mr.. Editor, and have
done. | have travcrsed, moro or less,
sixteen States Of our rcpublic-si1 slave
States and ten free States, though en-
countcring still much prejudice, | saw
him compare iavorably with the whites
his personal appearance, his morality,
ETC., being as good as any other race on
au average, aud better in every instance
than the lower class Of Irish--and, by
the way, l am ashamed to say my ances-
tors were from Green Erin. In every free
State the negroes had their churches and
schools, paid their taxes, etc.
How is it in tho slave State? They
will rise and have risen US high as the.
tyranny Of the pusillauimous spirit OF
slavery will allow them. have then
simply, in view of these facts, to ask as
matter Of political economy, should not
this race be allowed to vote, thus encour.
aging them, tractable as they are, to add
to the general wealth Of the country, ma
tcrial and moral. ''.5."'
Let mo not be understood as leaving
out Of view the poor whites Of the South.
Far from it. My sympathics are mainly
with them. honestly believe the best
way to improve the condition of the
&" poor white trash" is to enfranchise the
negro, and the two, pulling together,
II L. iossona fh thar