American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-08-30
The Suffrage Question.

- - -
Our neighbor Of the Herald seems quite
anxious to have us define our position on
the enfranchisement question. We don't
know what good can come from the ex-
preston of our opinion on this subject at
present. BY provision of our constitu-
ton no party can, if they even desired,
make any change on this question in our
State for the next four years Why then
talk so much about it? Have we not liy-
ing issues enough to occupy our time p
certainly we have. But, says the Herald
man, some of the New England States
have declared themselves in favor of uni
versal suffrage! To this we have only 20
say that we are not advised that such dec
luration is any violation of the Constitu-
ton; and if it is not, We don't see on
what authority we have right to com
plain Of, or interfere with their SO doing.
They are sovereign States" as we have
often been told by these same Democrats @
and assuch have certainly right to avow
their conviction on all political qustionsthat
may from time to time, be raised for discus
sion, and adoption or rejection and above
all no Estate rights" Democrat should
assume such privilege. AS to the pc.
sition of the Republican party in oul
own state, We refer our neighbor to the
resolutions adopted at Harrisburg, ON the
18th inst, those resolutions are frank
and full avowal of our views on all the
leading questions of the day. The Re.
publican party of Pennsylvania has been
in the majority for years past and intends
to remain so many years to come, and
should it deem it proper to espouse the
cause of any new principle, it will give
its opponents due notice.
But says some, 'are you in favor of the
enfrapchisement of tho colored popula
tion of the South ?" In reply to this
We say, that we entertain no prejudice
against the most humble of Gods crea
ton. We would much rather encourage
the amelioration of the condition of even
the most ignorant and downtrodden o.
the human family, than to assist in theil
oppression and degradation. And more
particularly have we no heart to still fur
ther oppress the unfortunate yet loya
class, who, when Southern Democrat
were hunting down the lone Union soldier
as he wandered his way among the rice
fields aud canebrakes, almost in despair
to escape their fiendish cruelties, was al
ways ready to encourage him with thei,
dark, yeteheerful conference.-the divide
their last Hcorn CAKE" and to direct hia
on his way to the "Union lines" Many
a northern freside is cheerful to-day
which, had it not been for the sympathy
of this unfortunate class, would have beer
draped in mourning-the result of Dsm
ocratic cruelty and Democratic crime ~
The dominant party of the country las
already done much for this unfortunate
class of people. Ii has lifted THEN W
from the degrading position to which
Democratic misrule had reduced them
and clothed them in the .habilamcnts Of
freedom, restoring to them all their for
mer cisarights. What political right;
and privileges they should be allowed t.
enjoy, experience must determine. Pres.
ident johnson is now experimenting upon
the temper and bearing of Southern so
ciety." Should the Democracy of thai
section again return to loyalty, it may mol
be thought necessary to extend the elec.
tive franchise to the eolored race at all
But should they persist in their rebsllious
disposition and encouraged by northern
copperhsads, throw every possible obsta
ole In the way Of reconstruction, then We
have no doubt the President viii expert
ment upon some other and more loya
class. In any event our ncighbor of the
Herald may rely upon it, that these ques-
tions, as they arise, will never be influen.
sed in their adjustmontby the prejudices
Of that disloyal, defunct organization tc
which he belongs, but viii be settled by
the enlightened Judgment Of theAmerican
people as expressed through the organ
ism Of the Republican party; now strong