The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-23

The Negro Suffrage Amendment.

The Negro Suffrage Amendment.
We see no good reason, and no sufficient
Iowa, or for any portion of those who have
acted together against the rebels and Copper
heads during the war, now that victory has
crowned our efforts, joining the ranks of the
enemy. Nor is there anything in the present
condition of affairs to justify either loyal citi-
zens or soldiers in turning their backs on the
friends who have stood by them during the
war, organizing separate movement now to
act as Democratic aid society to promote
the aims Of the Copperhead leaders by dimin-
ishing the strength of the Union party in
Iowa.
There is no division in the Union party
elsewhere through the country, but soldiers
and loyal citizens stand together in other
States compact party, as they did during the
war. and it is only in Iowa that movement
is attempted TO secure a separate organization
or to enter into alliance with Copperheads.
Is it wise, patriotic or polite for portion of
the soldiers to separate from their brethren in
this State and from the great body ofthe sol
diers of the country, and from,the great Union
party of the country, and to act as mere
scouting aud foraging party for the Copper
head leaders The Copperheads seek re-
union with the rebels lately in arms those
rebels will eventually control the States of
the South and will constitute the majority of
the Democratic party and control its policy,
and the soldiers of Iowa, who separate them
selves from the Union party, will be at the
mercy of the reunited Democracy under rebel
and Copperhead leaders and in support of
rebel and Copperhead policies.
Are the gallant soldiery of Iowa, who have
earned glorious reputation in the field,
ready to assume the position at home of hum
Bile followers or earnest coworkers with Cop
perheads and rebels in political matters
There are few or none of the gallant leaders
of our Iowa troops who have acquired ma
tional reputation that have separated from the
Union party.
Curtis and CRocKER, DoDGE, WILLIAM
son, and a score of others, known to the
NHOir Nouhltsf oedl0 pg tiit - hiph HalAf IA
they stood by the cause of the Union during
TIE war. GRANT and SHERMAN, and all the
rest of our great Generals. support the Union
party and the Union candidates now, as they
sustained the Union banner in the field.
The Union party in Ohio, differing as widely
upon the question of negro suffrage as we in
Iowa do, unite in support of General Cox for
Governor Of that State, and such is the case,
too, in all the other States Of the North.
Aud so ought we to unite here in Iowa, and
so all patriots will as soon as they come clear
" to understand the situation. and fully
appreciate the fact that. as during the war,
according to DouGLAs, there were but two
parles-patriots and traitors-so now. that
the war is over. there are but two parties
still, the Uulon and the Copperhcad parties;
and that all persons must be either members
or allies of one or the other of these parties.
The question OF negro suffrage presents no in
surmountable obstacle to the unity of the
Union party in this State, any more than it
does elsewhere. 1t cannot come up for set
tlement under three years, and when it does
come, each voter of the State will have the
opportunity to vote for or against it, accord
ing to his own individual opinion, as to its
justice and policy, and, therefore. it is the
mercst folly for Union man, soldier or citi-
zen, to separate himself from the Union par
ty and give aid and comfort to the Copper
heads, because it is proposed to let HIM vote
on the negro suffrage question three years
hence.
Section /, article 10, of tho Constitution,
provides as follows:
Any amendment or amendments TO this Consti-
tuition may be proposed in either House of the
General Asscmbly and if the same shall be agreed
to by a majority of the members elected to each
of the two Houses, such proposed amendment
shall be entered on their journals, with the yeas
and nays taken thereon. as provided by law, foI
three months previous to the time OF making such
choice; and If, in the General Assembly SO next
chosen rs aforesaid, such proposed amendment OF
amendments shall be agreed to, by majority oi
ali the members elected to each House. then il
shall be the duty of the General Assembly to sub
mit-such proposed amendment amendments to
the people in such manner, and at such time as
the General Assembly shall provide; and if the
people shall approve and ratify such amendment
or amendments by majority Of the electors
qualified to vote for members of the General As
sembly, roting thereon, such amendment or
amendments shall become q part Of the Consttu-
tion of this State.