The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-30
nan and be granted all the rights and


American people, but in no other way,
and upon no other basis can civil govern
mcnt be successfully and permanently re-
organized in the states that have been de-
clared to be in instruction. But it will
he said, are we prepared for this If the
American people after four years war
that has deluged the land with blood,
wasted millions OF treasure, and draped ev-
cry house with the habilaments of mourn
ing. cannot now grasp the great tundlmen-
tai principles that underlie the foundation
OF all republican governments, and extend
to those who came to their succor IN the
hour of trial. the sacred rights for which
they 50 bravcly fought, are not now pre-
pared to remove every vestige OF the cause
and occasion for this war, we'll may we
cxclaim. 'God save our country" As
the colorcd men have been true as steel in
this struggle for the nations existence, so
will they be true to the eternal principles
of freedom when invested with the right Of
suffrage In them the few loyal men re-
manning in the South will find faithful al
lies, and by their assistance the new state
governments can be organized with no fear
of their being reverted to the enemies OF
freedom. Should the objection be raised
that the negro is too ignorant to expert
encc this privilege, it can be answered by
raising the same objection to admitting
the scr,pines of the cutters of Europe to
the same right. If the ignorant white
man who knows no more of the "King's
English" and republican institutions than
q native CT the Fejee Islands, is permitted
to exercise this sacred right, why exclude
from the ballot-box the black man who
has batllcd for that which is as dear to him
a. life, and who realizes, no matter how
ignorant and degraded he may have been,
the value of freedom, and who never can
be led by unprncipled men and political
dcnagogues to cast his vote for those who
have been the enemies Of his country p
The colorcd men know who their friends
are, and. cnfranchised, would forever ex-
cludc from the political arena those who
have been traitors to the government
You need have no fear that they will be-
tray lis, and | can assure you, sir, that
the negro, with the advantages of educa-
ton given him. will soon prove capable of
any tr;,st that may be conferred upon him
As had the superintendent of the first
colored schools organized in this city, and
have seen and noted the rapid progress
made by colored children, know the
truth Of what speak. How the negro
shall be accorded the rights of suffrage is
crave question for statesmen like your
self. of mature judgement and ripe schol-
arship. and shall not attempt to discuss
it. will only add that the people of the
South will never grant it. The only hope
for the blaci, man rests in the wisdom of
tn, National Congress. therefore urge
You to give this subject your most earnest
and candid consideration
Hoping that the Importance Of the sub
.ject and your kind consideration for SOL
,icr who has been three and half years
III lii country's service, will be sufficient
excuse for trespassing to so great an ex-
tent upon your valuable time.
am, sir, with much respect,
Your most ob't servant,
". Is. S1CKNEY,
a EcrmOnter.
p. $. Since writing the above Mr..
Thomas W. Conway, general superintend-
cn OF freedmen, department Of the gulf,
now in Mobile, communicates the follow
ing. showing the condition of affairs at
Montgomery and upper Alabama:
The planters are numbering the ne
groes in large numbers. In their rage
over their subjugaton and discontinue,
they give vent to their devilish natures in
the gcntlemanly and chivalrous pastime of
numbering these poor souls. The office is
now half filled with the victims Of these
wletches. Some are bleeding; some are
mangled One man got 25O lashes with
q hickory stick for going over to the
Yankees for freedom | am overwhelm-
ed with what appears to be the condition
of affairs in I'LL This upper country"
This is but another proof of the cllarac-
ter of the men who will endeavor to con-
troll the politics of the South. Can the
advocates Of a lenient policy object to the
Acknowledgement of this class w. b. S.
Two ToUGH SToRIEs.-Thcy had 8
terrible tornado in Red Wing, Mimi, las
Friday. One or two houses were blown
away with their occupants and have no
been heard Of since, and horse and chaist
were blown into a tree seventy feet higl
and lod gcd there ....The body ola New
Milford man, drowned six weeks ago while
fishing for cells, was found fast week be.
tween two rocks in the river, considerably
Catep by fish. and with several monstrou:
ec!s clingins to it with such pertinacity
that they had to be driven off with sticks
DR.. Charles Jewett, the great temper
ance man. now resides in Norwich, CT.
What kind of tunes do soldiers like bes
when crossing river? Pon-toons
a man complaining of a son stroke
was asked what he meant, as he looked il
good health Twin boys by the favo
of my wife" he answered.
Harry Leslie, who styles himself tn,
American Blondin, crossed Niagara rive
the other day on rope during heav,
rain storm and gale. He will do 50 agai1