Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-20
The Camnaign In Iowa.
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM SECRETARY HAR,
LAN-THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT JOHN.
SON ON NEGRO SUFFRAGE.

INFORMANT LETTER from SECRETARY HAIR
LAN-THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT JOHN.
SON ON NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
DEPARTMENT OF TIE IsTERIoR, !
Washington, D. C., Aug 26. !
Her. Geo. B. E2monis CyeTn1out Io1zn:
DEAR SIR: I have just received your letter Of the
2lst inst stating among other things that the Union
State Convention Of lows has adopted as a plank
IN It's platform recommendation in favor of negro
suffrage that the COpPsrhead Convention has in
dorsed President JOhnsons policy for the reorgani-
cation Of States assuming it to be in opposition to
negro sutragei that this IS IN your opinion the IS
sue between the two parties IN Iowa that heretofore
the Union party has derived valuable aid from me
IN support Of its principles; that you regret, how
ever, 70 observe newspaper report Of a speech re-
Gently made by me, as you think in antagOnism with
us present principle and policy, which gives you
pain.
In reply, 1 have 10 say, that i YOUR opiaion was
well founded, II would be q cause of greater pain to
me than 10 yourself; but l beg leave respectfully
% state that you mlsspprehended the position Of
President johnson, and my own, as well as that of
the Union party at large The real question at IS
sue II national point Of view, is not whether ne
groes shall be permitted 20 vote but whether they
shall derive that authority from the national Gov
ernment Or the State Governments respeCtivelv
President johnson maintains the edoctrine that the
Constitution Of the United States does not confer on
the Federal Government the right to interfere pri-
4laAAll VIII LL6 question OF State q
the UnlOni that the question may arise and proDer-
ly be decided by Congress when Senators and MEM
bers present themselves for admission to eats in
that body, under the clause of the Constitution
which makes each House the exclusive Judge of the
qualifications and elections of members. and that
other clause Of the Constitution of the United States
which provides that the United States shall guaran
tee TO every State in the Union republican form Of
government. 1 infer that if any State shouId
adopt a law on the subject OF suffrage, which would
clearly show the State Government 10 be other than
republican, It would be the duty of Congress TO re-
ject applicants for seats and to adopt Whatever leg
islative remedies would in their Judgment be neceS-
ary 10 carry out the guarantees of the Constitution
That the State OF Iowa may take steps 10 extend
The right OF suffrage is not as il seems 10 me, in
conflict with this policy, and, consequently those
who supper. the policy Of the President on this sub
lect not in antagonism with the platforms Of the
Union party Of Iowa.
The Union party Of that State propose that the
State shall modify IFS own Constitution so as 10 IL
cIude As electors persons who have not, under is
present provisions the right TO vote. This as Pres
ldent johnson maintains. State NAV do hut that
the National Government would bqye no rirbf ~
require Iowa. OF any other State 10 modify its own
Constitution, on this or any other subiecf whom mot
ID conflict with the Constitution of the T-na5 Stet
If should be in Iowa when that question is Nh.
mitted TO the people if il shall be so submitted n
the Legislature, would vote 20 extend the rrbt N
al classes Of persons possessing the requisite iTtol
gence and patriotism 10 be instructed with partic
lPation in the management Of public affairs, State
OF National without regard 10 their nationality as
DO not believe that the liberty Of any class Of peo
PIE can be considered safe who are 10 be permanent
> deprived Of the exercise of this right.
DO not disguise these opinions YOU may there
tore make what use Of his letter Won NAV deem
proper.
have the honor 10 be
Very respectfully,
Your obt servant
JAMES HARLAN