Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-06-08
THURSDAY, JUNEs, 1865.
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.

an end and slavery dead, other political cues
tione connected FtB'" American Citizens Of
African dtsctit," are agitating public opinion
and e:sefSifsing the minds of political leaders
ara aapirants. The safest guido in political
problems is to draw lessons of wisdom for FL
,ure action, from the recorded occurrences and
teachings of the past If there are any such
bearing on the subject. We lave j1st en-
Grged from vile, but fearful rebellion and o
bloody and caamitous var, originating oat of
the subject of African bondage. This race
Of people are amongst us not by their Consent
or net, but born among us as bondmcn for all
the generations which we have possessed this
lahd They have been held us the beast of
the field, and degraded so far as Gods crea-
cures, made in his own likeness, ca-! rs de-
graded from his own image through tie in
equity. the pride and arrogance Of a favored
few, who in the wickcdncss Of their hearts.
hate not lcsitated to lay their unholy hands
on the Ark of the Covenant Of human Liberty
and Republican Freedom. "hc ddbsHbg in
fuencc of slavery had so far perverted and de-
graded all patriotic feelisgs and Instincts in
the breasts of tn, Sc individuals thai, not con-
tent with perpetuating this evil among them
selves. they endeavored to force ito 81 Rad
over an unwilling and ungenia territory, and
failing in this, in the pride and wickcdness of
their hearts, engaged in the iniquitous task of
destroying tie ,ey Temple of Liberty and
human rights.
Through the blessings of ~ o7crri1ing and
w,c Providence, this haUghtncss has been
punished and their efforts brought to naught.
yet, "the arrogance of the prort' hns'not
been caused to cease. The moving pfiac:ple;
chat impulse from whence originated this re-
bcllon. has not been extinguished. The men
whose pride and arrogance conceived and de-
.plcpcd this treason, have not been converted
from tho error Of their way neither have they
been ;rcventcd fro,t their vain imaginings
They have no Democracy in their hearts or
minds. though, they 'ktsc had tit on their lips
When they shall again hare teta' permitted
to exercise the rights and pei7isges which
they would SO readily have snatched from The
hands Of the honest mechanic and Industrious
laboring man, the old feelings and impulses
will again be set to work, to accomplish in
another form, that object in which they have
now failed. Let not our people forget the
saying Of Andrew Jackson, that the price
of Liberty is eternal vigilance" This defeat
will sharpen the ingenuity and m dden tho
rage Of these enemies of human liberty and
mans equality, to greater cxer;ioh5to accom-.
pIish their unholy purposes.
Virginia in her rec iat elections has shown
her ,ntipathy TO Aeosblican Institutions in
frank and bold ,ns-tsiesr, sshs has spoken nd UNI
certain sound she Z rebel still 9nc lesson |
is strongly brought out by the present aspect
Of affairs, and that is, if we would preserve
our Liberties We must become more |
democratic in our ideas md piscticss We
must labor earnestly and honestly to place all !
nren on an equality in a political point of
view. He who risks his life amid the storm !
Of battle in defence of the governrne!t, should
have right in the peaceful battle at the bal
lot box to decide who shall be the Instruments
of carrying on the machinery of that govern
ment, and decIls'in and for what causes his |
Nfe shall be riska IN the battle field This
groat contest has rrb.sh that as soldiers de-
tending their native land, the difference be-
tween the white man and.she Afrit an has gone
nc deeper than the skim and that in every
solde.,5+aaality :sds .se,s equals. This fact
was disbelieved a6l tasIied, un.iiS trial has
proven its truth. If that principle ofJrad,om
which is innate in every man vino 5sesshes
She air of our Union, impel these men who
had'never enjoyed the blessings of freedom
90 hlaafhlly to battle in defence of that free
dom but then coming to them, what greater
reason can 70 sdduced that they are not
equally competets.s defend il through the
medium of the ballot; Box.
Ignorance is the great pies, and our ideas
Of their heretofore degradation, constitute the
great barriers to this right. 1t lisa tcftins
and there Is vast amount of truth in ii, chat
a pespio to BE free must BE- intelligent Tho
better people 'are educXtsd, the better they
understand, value, and appreciate tie 'b,ss-
sings Of Liberty or free government. ind will
MAKO creator sacrifices to maintain IT, But.
there are facts Id this SohHSlion whitE IL Is
folly to disguise No- xtssmpssto hide. Ofrhe /
wsoahHdafiy nockto our shores
n nd rxre tT lightning made c:tfAens bovv I.
many haveread or know iinels principle
in tho Constitution of United
StaAes or the Stste where they locate How Y
many Of them ore there who never do learn or
appreciate the principles Of freedom as con-
aimed in our Declaration of Independence
md Constitution ? Thousands are this day
exercising all the rights aud franchises en-
eyed BY those who "sifo horn and educated