Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-11

siaIRe New Fork Tribune in an editorial
commenting on the surprise of some peo-
pie that NEARLY all the most conspicuous
and jealous Abolitionists of other days.
should now be soutspoken advocates of a
lenient and mercifil treatment of the dis
comfted rebels gives the reasonst therefor
in the following: s. 0scgT'l ss5 5000
ga"The Abolitionists are most anxious that
political rights, and especially, the right
Of self projection by suffrage shall be ac-
corded TO the freedmen of the South; and,
waving all questions Of power, they would
greatly prefer that such extension of suf-
ffage be accorded by rather than imposed
on the Southern whites. They cannot real
ise' that hanging some Of the late Insurgents as
rebels and traitors sos dispose the survivors TO-
sudrd according the electiUe franchise ecen TO the
most Intelligent and capable Of the endncfpdted
BLACKS. In fact, the obstacles TO such extern
sion Of suffrage are many and formldableI1
they are not to be surmounted (though
many act as though they could) by mere
order nom the War Department. nor even
by an act of Congress. A reciprooation of
kindly feeling between the Abolitionists
and their lifelong, deadly Southern antag-
onists, may do much toward removal of
these real, formidable obstacles barring the
path Of the nation toward genuine peace
and durable prosperity. Will the throwing
of few or many luckless (it you please
guilty. heads to the mob bowling for blood
tend to promote this most desired consum-
mation?J We think not. Ai
-lit.Such are some considerations among the
many which must occur to every observing
mind In favor of the course which eminent
and veteran Abolitionists are generally
holding with regard to the freshest aspect
of our great controversy. 1t seems to us
that they evince no weakness, no pulling
sentimentality, but signal foresight, calm
ness and common sense"
= From the foregoing, it viii be seen that,
inasmuch as slavery has been overthrown,
the subject now most near to the heart OF
ah Abolitionist, is the giving to the freed
slave the privilege of suffrage. Abolition
lists conclude that suffrage should be con-
ferred on them by the Southern whites, in
stead of being given them through an order
from the War Department or by an act Of
Congress. The argument seems plausible.
Itis saying, in effect, that the people OF
each State should be left free to regulate
their own, internal concerns, as it is pre-
sumed they are more capable of judging
of their adaptability than outsiders. This
is the States-rights doctrine of the Demo-
cratic party. If it is proper to extend to
the discounted Rebels ''lenient and merci-
full treatment" hoping thereby to win the
Southern whites into an extension of
suffrage to the freedmen of the South,
the question occurs--"Why were not
mild measures thought sufficient to
work. out the emancipation of the
slaves n Had the Abolitionists thought
of this before they commenced inyeighing
against the institution peculiar to the
South, it may be regarded as an absolute
certainty, that the North and the South
would not have been precipitated into War.
That fact ought to serve as, perpetual
warning to outsiders not to fret themselves
about the internal concerns, of any State
that do not contravene the Constitution of
the United States. @ -.
We are glad to notice the recognition by
AbolitionistsN even, now of the propriety
of allowing the whites of the South to
regulate the question of suffrage to suit
thepselyes. Thisirecognition carries with
it theargament, that to the people of the
respective, States should be referred the
regulation of all local matters: and it
comes within the scope Of reason to con-
clude, that if throughout the future this
shall be faithfully lived up to our country
will not again be afflicted and scourged
with civil War. u ZOs19LI ESQ