Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-16
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.

The question of suffrage is upon us. 1t
can neither be lodged or postponed. Its
settlement controls the destiny of the Repub.
lie. Settled by the Abandonment Of princi.
pie to the senseless clamors Of prejudice, and
We fasten upon the future calamity with
woes as manifold as ever Pandora fatal box
produced. Settled in that way and the
South is hopelessly retarded in her progress
and forever given over to degeneracy and
destruction; while the North by the same
miserable policy, will be the section of count.
less divisions, perpetual wranglings, and in
terminable feuds.
The solution Of this problem is easy or diff
fcult according to the method used. Treated
in a manly and purely American way, and it
will present few obstacles in our path. The
manly way to deal with it is to meet it fairly,
squarely, without fear, and without reserve.
The American way is to apply to it those
principles which underlie the foundations of
our Government, restricted only by the lin
itations Of our Government. If we have the
constitutional right to make all men, includ-
ing negroes, voters in the State they inhabit,
let us do it. For to withhold the franchise
from any human being solely on account Of
his color, is unmanly unchristian, and un.
American.
If by the nature Of our institutions we are
precluded from regulating suffrage in the
States, let us honestly admit the fact and
cease the attempt "to do evil that good may
come" It is hardly to be believed that this
nation, which exerted its grand energies to
suppress q sinful rebellion which sought to
subvert its authority and government after
succeeding, should itself violate and disre-
gard its own laws. We are a law -honoring
and lsW-abiding people. If our statutes are
wrong, let us repeal them. If our legislation
is incomplete, let us correct IT, not by forced
construction, but by calm and prescribed
rules.
While We believe that the negro, on the
basis of intelligence and patriotism, should
be permitted to vote; while we will plead
with all our ability for the extension of this
privilege to him everywhere, and back up
our entreaty by casting our own vote in his
favor when and where we have the right SO
TO do, we have yet to learn how, either as
m inherent right of our nature or the civil
right we receive from the laws, we can com
pei other men to accept our views, and fOsi
our convictions upon communities of which
we make no part with any title Of authority,
or any sanction of conferred power. Wher
ever this nation has the power it should pro
tect the people. Wherever it can it should
equaliue rights, regardless of color, race oI
creed.
Having most conclusively that power
over the District of Columbia, we are for the
extension Of suffrage here, Were in Ten
nessee, says ANDREW JOHNSON, 81 should
seek to give to the black man the privilege
of voting, with certain qualifications. The
same rule that should govern the law.maker
Of Tennessee should govern the lnw.maker Of
the Capitol Ci'v When we have the right
let us perform the duty. When v have not
the right let us cid Humanity by our exam.
pie, and not involve 1t by an assumption Of
authority.