The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-07-12
MISSISSIPPI.
Conflict as to Slavery-DivisiOn
Of the National Party on the
Question Of Negro Suffrage.
Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune.l
J.rvco~ M,cc T,,a 90 1QcS


JACKSON, MISS, June 20, 1865.
/ send some copies of papers published
here, which may be of use to you, as indica
tory of the opinions prevalent in this lately
"rehabilitated' State. The Mississippfan rep
resents what there is here of sound national
feeling. The .'Nems'' is the organ of those
who maintain slavery to be q divine institu
ton, and secession a State right. You will
perceive how difficult it is even for the Hissis
sippian to understand that slavery is abolished,
while the Ne,rs does not understand it, nor
believe it at all! The great majority of the
white people of the State coincide in opinion
with the Ners. A respectable and growing
minority of the white people support the views
of the NiSsiSSipp{dn, as do the blacks also, so
far as it speaks for their freedom.
There will be serious conflict in the State
Convention soon TO assemble. on the question
of amending the State Constitution so as to
harmonize it with the new order of things.
The Neics party tlet US so call III will insist
that the Emancipation Proclamation was un-
constitutional and of no legal force; at the
least they willinsist that il was war measure.
and whatever legal force it had during active
war has now ceased. | believe this party will
be in the ascendant, and that no change will
be made in the State Constitution or the laws
affecting the blacks. Possibly some long
winded scheme Of gradual emancipation may
be adopted. Members of Congress will be
elected who hold these views, not only from
this State. but from all the other Gulf States.
The controversy viii then be transferred TO
Washington, and will interest the whole coun-
try. | cannot believe that either House of
Congress will admit such members: but IN
these days Of begging on the one hand and
concession on the other, all things are pos
sible.
Ii is with great pain that we in the military
service, as well as the freedmen. hear OF the
splitting up Of the great National party, and
OF the dissensioRs among those who believe in
personal liberty for ali men, viii the Tribune
hear the chiding OF a friend fit will, tell
it there is danger in lis present course. Look
at the case thus: In the former slayeholding
States. most Of the intellect, all of the remain
ing wrath. and the strong prejudices of the
whites, are IN favor of slavery. Observe the
language Of Unionist, Judge Robb, a sh-
ming liberal IN this latitude. and one of Gov.
Sharkey' appointees, in his '-sober views. :"
Holding in our own hands the reins of
State Government, and controlling its legisia-
ton. we can regulate the status OF the negro
and conhne him TO his proper social position
in the community. lie will remain IN a ser
rt}e condition, though lot a slave his labor
VIII soon BRING back the Wcaltn ana prosperity
of the State. '-HissiSsippian: 9th.
In the free States. much intellect, much
wealth, and many prejudices, range themselves
also in favor Of slavery. GU know where to
find quotations under this head. Is il a time.
then. for the advocates of freedom TO divide
on question about suffrage. | tell yon no.
Make sure that the blacks are personally free
before you try To entranchise them. IL will
be no small gain for them to be placed se-
eurely on the same footing with the unnatu-
rallied foreigners.
Let me suggest possible middle ground
between those who favor the immediate en-
franchisement Of the negroes, by national
authority, and those who prefer to leave that
matter to the qualified voters of each State.
Suppose YOU join hands-or hold together, as
you still are, thank God-and amend the Con-
stitution so that no class Of population shall
be represented in Congress who are not per
mitted to vote for their Representatives. If
the handful of qualified voters in Mississippi
OF any other State exclude the negroes from
the poles, let the Constitution be made TO ex
clude them from the basis of representation,
also. Then State laws viii be provided ad
mitting negroes to the polls as fast as ii can
safely be done. That is what you want Learn
lesson from war The position you covet Is
strong-impregaabl by assault; therefore do
not attempt to carry it NJ storm; flank it be-
siege it cut off the political bread and water
Of its defenders: then, after a time, gradually,
piece by piece, il will be won. >. I.