Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-10-28


armed because he did not believe them t,
be truly loyal ?
Intelligence the Basis OF suffrage-Mr. Jno
i H Reagan's Letter.
We have heretofore announced that
Mr.. Reagan, late Postmaster General O,
the Confederacy, had proclaimed himself
in favor of impartial suffrage. We now
give the more Important portions of his
address to the people of Texas. He pro
poses IS follows:
First, extending the privileges and
protection of the laws over the negroes
as they are over the whites, and allowing
them to testify in the courts on the same
conditions, leaving their testimony sub
lect to the rules relating to its credibili-
ty, but not objecting to it's admissibility.
Ard in this you will conform with the
wise current of modern legislation, and
the tendency of judicial decisions in all
enlightened countries.
"And, second, by fixing an intellec-
tual and moral, and, if thought necessa-
ry, a property test for the admission of
all persons to the exercise of the elective
franchise, without reference to race or
color, which would secure It's intelligent
exercise.
'sMy own view would be:
'SFirst. That no person now entitled
to the privilege of voting should be de-
privOd of it because of any new test. I
would recognize in this the difference be-
tween taking away a right not hereto
fore exercised, and the comforting of a
right not heretofore exercised.
"Second That to authorize the admis-
sion of persons hereafter to the exercise
of the elective franchise, they should be
first, third, citizens of the United States !;
fourth, should have resided in the State
one year, and in the district, county, or
precinct six months next preceding any
election, at which they propose to vote !;
fifth, should be able to.read in the En-
glish language understandingly; sixth,
and must have paid taxes for the last
year preceding for which such taxes were
due and payable, subject to any disquali-
fcation for crime, of which the person
may have been duly convicted, which
may be prescribed by law"
Coming down to purely internal State
affairs. Mr.. Reagan recommends revis-
ion of that system of frequent elections
which, he thinks, has been carried to a
vicious extreme, thereby producing great
evils. His reasons for. these opinions it
is not necessary to recapitulate, since
they have been often urged by others,
and indeed suggest themselves naturally
to any inquiring mind. The practical
recommendations in this regard made by
| Mr.. Reagan, are as follows
esFirst. To lengthen all terms of Office
which are now two, to four years.
Second. To require all general elec-
tions, as far as practicable, to take place
during the same year, and at the same
time.
And, third, to provide: l. That the
State Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney
General, and Commissioner of the Gene
raj Land Office, shall be appointed by
the nomination of the Governor, and
confirmation of the Senate, as the Secre-
tary of the State now is. 2. That the
|. Clerks of the District Courts should be
appointed by the several Judges, as the
Clerk of the Supreme Court is by the
Judges of that Court. 3. That the Coun-
ty Courts should appoint their Clerks,
and the Sheriffs, Coroners, Assessors and
Collectors of Taxes, County Treasurers,
County Surveyors, and the Constables
for the several precincts of their coun-
ties. 4. That the Mayor and their AL
dermen or Cogncilmen of all cities and
towns should appoint their Clerks, Mar
shals. Treasurers, and other officers.
The following are among the closing
paragraphs of the address
With these two lines Of policy adopted, ,
think, notwithstanding all your recent
misfortunes, you might look with hepe
and confidence to the future. The ne
groes will, it is hoped, gradually diffuse
themselves among the greatly preponde-
rating numbers of whites in the. differ
ent States and Territories. Many of them
. will probably go to Mexico, and other
countries, in search of social equality
and a few or nene of their race will be
added to their numbers by accessioni
from other countries; while the steady
and rapid influx of great numbers O
white races from other countries vii
Ter adrally decrease the disproportion II
numbers between them and the whites
] and so render this new element in socie
I.ty and government innoxious, or at leas
powerless for evil, if they should be 81
1 inclined.
/ But from the general docility Of thei
dispositions we may expect the most
them to be orderly, and many OF the9
f industrious and useful citizens. But t
/ secure these desirable ends it must no
!. l. c.--~AAo.. &ho4 ;r 80 an aaaonf1AI mere