The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-25
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.

WINE the greater part OF the press III
the South has been working itself into
state of'excitement bordering on mad
ness, the editors, resembling the pytho-
ness of Apollo in ancient times, with
Ing and twisting and agonizing, we have
studiously abstained from adding to this
unnecessary phrenzy, by saying any
thing about the question. Without bepg
much of fatalist, we nevertheless be-
| lieve if the negro is to have vote, he
will have it in spite of all we can say or
10 to the contrary and If 1t has not been
so foreordained, why then he never will
receive that inestimable privilege. One
thing is quite certain, the discussion of
the question in the newspapers in the
South at this time can have. no result
one way or the other. 1t is evident that
no State authority in this section has con-
ferred, or intends to confer, the right of
suffrage upon this class of citizens, so as
to enable them to vote in the coming
elections Representatives. This thing
could only be effected by the prompt as
semblage of conventions of the people in
all the Southern States, to alter their Or
ganic law in this respect. 1t is nonsen-
steal to suppose that a majority of dele
gates could be selected in single South
ern State who would be in favor of in
vesting this class with the right of vo-
ting, and as the question of suffrage isleft
entirely with the States, we don'tsee how
they can be allowed to vote in the APP
preaching elections. Then why this agi-
tation of a question that's not before the
people, and which is only calculated to
infiame the passions of those wrongly
disposedtowards the government? Suf-
icient for the day are the evils thereof,
and in this view of the matter we think
discussion should be postponed until the
question is properly raised.
1t will be time enough to argue the
point after the meeting of the next Con-
gress. If, on the first Monday in Deem.
Der proximo, the members elected from
the South shall be excluded from their
seats, ON the ground that the negroes
We're n OF allowed to vote, that will be the
cue 70 + these editors who are now lashing
their lselves into such fury over the ne
gro question. twill then properly come
before the country in all its importance
ard will have to be decided one way or
the other The people will then have
to choose whether they will permit the
negro to vote in order that they may be
, represented in Congress, or will prefer
to continue in worse than territorial
condition, sustaining all the burdeas of
government without representation, and
subject in addition to the caprice OF
military rule. .as Il. I
We advise these agitating citizens to
possess their souls with patience, and
await the issue with calmness. Dis.
cussing it in the present aspect of the
question and condition of affairs can dc
no good, and may be productive of much
harm. -..,4, 0..ef - IA. ,,,
If the Southern States manage to en-
gineertheir representatives into Congress
next winter, solution to the problem
shall have been found that for the time
will answer the purposes of the South
but it would again bring the negro
question into Congress and before the
country, with all the attendant evils
of its discussion. s'h "a -aet