Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-11-18
sATURDAY:#::::::::NovEMBER IS, 1865.
A NOBLE LETTER-ONE OF THE
LATE OWEN LOvEJOY's LAST
EPIsTLEs-vIEws OF ABRA-
HAM LINCOLN AND ANDREW
JOHNSON ON SUFFRAGE IN 1864.

JOHNSON ON SUFFRAGE IN 1864.
The following letter from the pen of the
late OWEN LovEJor speaks for itself. 1t is
now for the FIRST time made public, as
whole, by permission of Gov. HAHs, who Is
at present in the city.
1t is as remarkable in its developments as
it is important, inasmuch as it not only states
the views Of the then President on the great
question Of suffrage, which Is now agitating
the whole country, but the only othor man
whose opinion is reflected in the letter on the
same subject, happens to be that of ANDREW
JOHNSON, then not thought of even for the
Office of Vice President, but, singular rs It
may seem, lie now, by the course Of human
events, President of the United States-the
foremost man in all the nation-whose opip.
ion on the suffrage question is most anxiously
sought for, because, owing to his high poo'
tion and extraordinary power he, more than
any other man, can do more to enforce it and
put it into practical shape.
1t appears that President LINCOLN and
Governor JOHNSON, of Tennessee, as early as
March, 1864, were studying the groat ques-
tion alluded to, and, what is better, that they
held the same opinion on the subject.
The letter is as follows:
wAsnrSoroS, D. c., March "A, 1854.
Ny DEAR GOVERNOR have Just been reading
with great satisfaction brief notice OF your in
augural, and the address you made on tn occa-
sion. am very glad that you propose to make
clean work Of slavery.
Will you allow me to suggest one thing morel
We cannot so to the bottom where the granite 10
in order to build without giving the elective
franchise to the negro. | am satisfied that II we
stop short Of that, It will be found that our house
Is built upon the sand, and when the foods come
and the winds blow, and the rains descend, It
will fall, and great will be the fall thereof The
sense Of justice which has been awakened In the
nation by the rebellion will not rest satisfied to
have forgiven rebels, who have fought to over
throw the Government, drive away loyal black
soldiers who have fought to sustain IT, II is not
necessary at fret that all should vote. You can
allow those who can read aud write to vote or
you can allow black soldiers to vote The priv
ilege Of voting given to the latter class TO wit;
the soldiers, would commend itself think, to
the whole nation. You may think that this is
owing to my OyerweeniDg anxiety for the blacks,
but It Is not that alone, nor chiefly. am salts.
fed that Providence will not let us settle this
question, until we settle 1t on the foundation Of
equal aud exact Justice to all, in accordance
with the principles Of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendepoe, and OF the Constitution, which know
nothing OF black or white, rich or poor, but re-
gard the rights Of men, as such, as sacred.
was much gratihed the other day In r con-
ysrsstiou with the President to Hud that his
views on this subject accord with my own. He
does not feel that he can require this, rs a dele
CATION requested him to. Still he desires It to
be done by the action OF the people themselves.
II Louisiana takes the lead / think all the
other States will follow, and then we shall have
settled this question on deep aud broad founda-
lions, against which the gates Of hell cannot pre-
vail The number OF those who are at first ad-
mltied to tue privilege Of the elective franchise
does not to ns seem essential, for If you let any
portion Of the coored people vote the rest will
follow In time
had conversation with Governor Johpsop.
OF Tennessee, on this subject. He feels right
personally. | do hope you will see your Way
clear to take the lead In this matter You will
thus not only do good thing for your country
but immortAliEs your name, for | am satisfied the
nation will grow to this, II 1t has not already
reached II.
Excuse me for having intrudod my views upop
your GttentiOn. The brief but pleasant AsquGiut.