New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-09
Important Letter from Secretary Harlan
The Position of President johnson
on Negro Suffrage.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. }

WASHINGTON, ID. G.. Aug 81. 1865.
To he Hon GEORGE Il. EDMONDs. CiorHsoHi, Iona;
DEAR SIR: have just received your letter
Of the ST inst stating among other things that the
Union State Convention Of Iowa has adopted as PLANK
in ats platform recommendation IN favor OF negro SUI
frage; that the Copperheai Convention has lndorSed
President Johnson's policy for the reorganization OF
States. assuming II 10 be IN opposition 10 negro SUI
age; that this Is In your opinion the issue joined De-
tween the two parties IN lowai that heretofore the
Union party has derived valuable ala rom me IN sup
port Of It's principles; that regret however, 10 OBJ
serve newspaper report Of speech recently made ny
NE. which places nc as you think IN aniagonlsm With
It's present principles and policy, which gives you pam
In reply have to say. that If your opinion was vel
founded, i would be cause OF greater pam 10 me th
YOURSELF but beg respectfully 10 state that you mis-
apprehend the position OF President Johnson ana my
own as well as that Of the Union party at large. The
real question at Issue in national point of view is not
whether negroes shall be permitted TO vote but whether
they shall derive that authority from the National GOV
eminent or from the State Governments respectively.
President johnson maintains the doctrine that the
stituton Of the United States does not confer on
the Federal Government The night 20 Interfere primarily
with the question OF suffrage In any State OF the
Union thar the question may arise and properly DC de-
cided by Congress. when senators and members pre-
sent themselves for admission seats In that body IN
der the clause Of the Constitution which makes each
House the exclusive judge OF the qnallhcat0Hs ana
elections Of mchbersi and that other clause OF the
Constitution at tie United States which provides that
the United States shall guarantee 10 every state IN
tho Union Republican form OF Government" infer
that " any state should adopt law the subject OF
suffrage which would clearly show the State Govern
ment be other than republican, II would be the duty
Of Congress To reject applicants for seats and 10 adopt
whatever legislative remedies would in tAeir Judgment
be necessary carry out the guarantees OF tie Const
tuition.
That the state Of Iowa may take steps to extend the
right of outrage. is not II seems 20 me III conflict
with this policy. and consequently those who support
the policy Of the President this subject not IN
tag0nism with the platform Of The Union party Of Iowa.
The Union party Of that State propose that the state
shall modify Its own Constitution. to include as
electors persons who have not under its present pro
visions the right 10 This. as President johnson
maintains, state may do but that the National Gov
eminent would have right 10 require Iowa. or any
other state 10 modify its Constitution on this or
any other subject when not In conflict with the Consti'
tuition OF The United States.
II should be IN Iowa when that question is sub.
mittcd the people II shall be submitted by the
Legislature. | would vote 10 extend the right 10 all
classes II persons possessing the requisite intelligence
and patriotism 70 be intrusted with participation IN
the management OF public affairs state or National,
without regard 10 their nationality, as do not believe
that the liberty Of any class Of people be considered
SAFE who 10 be permanently deprived Of the exer-
else of this right.
do not disguise these opinions; yOu may therefore
make what use Of this letter you deem proper.
have the honor 70 be, very respectfully your Obedl-
ent servant JAS. HARLAN.