Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-30
Negro Suffrage.

The question of enfranchising the total
black population of the south-thus pla-
cling them as far as the law can make
.hem so, upon an equality with their late
masters, is beginning strongly to agiiate
the public mind, and is for some time to
come to be the topic Of discussion. AS
upon most new questions there is a d.
versity of opinions, SO there is upon this,
which will not be materially lessened as
the discussion proceeds. A large party
is opposed to placing the ballot in his
hands TO ANY extent; another party is
for placing them upon an equality with
the white men in this particular while a
third party would discriminate so as to
allow the more intelligent to vote, while
it would keep from the polls the more ig-
norant or debased. This might appear
the more sensible view, and would have
a shadow of justice were it only carried
out to its fulles. extent and applied to
white men of equal intelligence as i'm
partially as is proposed for the blacks
If slavery is abolished we wish it abol>
ished in toto, and so abolished that the
country can see it. We want to see none
OF the remnants of it left for seed. If il
is abolished physically we wish it to die
politically, and that white men shall be
emancipated from the petty prejudices
and dishonorable cabals which have so
long distinguished them. We wish eve
ry barrier broken down that has hereto
fore divided the two sections Of country
and the two races of men, so that neither
laws nor constitutions shall draw invidi-
GUS comparisons. What we ask for the
negro is simple justice. The "poor
white trash" of the south-many Of them
far below the negro in intelligence and
moral worth, are allowed to vote-except
in those states where property is a quail
ification-and we see no reason for al
lowing the former privileges which can
not be accorded to the latter. 1t is true
that none other than an intelligent per-
son can make an intelligent voter, but in
country like ours where the widest lib
erty is claimed, no class distinctions
should be raised and no aristocracy of
brains legalised. There should be no
line drawn between learning and ignor.
anco other than that recognised by soci,
ETY.. When we do that we fear that class
who do not possess the requisite quslifi
cations for intelligent voters, would BE-
more numerous than most people imagine
Our view of the matter is TO enfranchis(
every person of proper age, without re-
gard to color or literary requirements
and trust to the native sense of the vote
to guide him. 1t is not always the mos
learned of this world that make the bes
rulers, or who make the honestest constit
uency. We are fully as apt to find ex
allied piety and true patriotism among
the illiterate masses as among the patron
of the schools. And we should as con
o fidently look for the liberated black Il
cast the RICH. ballet and TO uphold th'
true interests of freedom, as we should
among northern copperheads. The
record in this war has certainly been thu
most honorable. The negro has HANDLED
the musket with will and an energ,
born Of long suffering and years Of deeI
wrong. He understood the nature o
the contest exactly-far better indeed
than a majority Of the rank and file o
the rebel army. Can he not be trusted
with the ballot as we'll? We believe b.
can be. We are therefore unqualified!
in favor of giving him the same right
and privileges, in all particulars, will
which the white man is endowed.
We will in this connexiou give an item
said to be the opinion of Gen. Grant il
relation to negro suffrage
"Gen. Grant in conversation with his friends
says that it is too soon to declare that the loya
blacks in the south shall not be allowed to vote
ASIDE from the abstract right and the lega
problem of what authority can confer or with
hold the franehise-whether it be congress Of
the states--the question may assume the shap,
OF political necessity. The government ans
people may have to choose between keeping
standing army of loo, 900 men at an expense o.
900 600 600 year to the tax payers, to support
the white minority in the south against the Whit
rebel majority. or of enfranchisng the blacks
and thereby enabling them TO support the white
leyalists. Gen. Grant foresees that the suffrage
question may take this form"
The opinion Of Gen. Grant is worth
something. He understands the struc-
ture of southern society and its political
status as well as most men, and we think