The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-12-07
Es,ack Suffrage in Pennsylvanaa

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so clear an account of the history and
present bearings of this subject, thatiWe
reproduce it in full: *
In 1852 William Penn promulgated
The Franc of Government" for PENN
sylvania, under authority of the Charter
granted him by King Charles H. In
this document the right of suffrage is
given, without restriction, te 'the free.
men of said province" -.
In l7O1 Penn granted what is known
as the " Charter of Privileges" BY this
instrument the right of suffrage was
broadly given to The tffeeaaea. Of each
respective county"
The first Constitution of Pennsylvania
was adopted in 1776. The, Go1vention
that framed this instrument was presided
over by Benjamin Franklin. 1t gave the
right of suffrage to " every freemen Of
the full age of 21 years" The men Of
the Revolution, while asserting their own
rights and liberties against prescription,
were careful to stand fast by the cardinal
idea of the political equality of all men.
In 1870 new Constitution was framed
Thomas Miflin presided over the Con
vention that made it. This instrument
gave the right to e0ery freeman of the
age of 21 years.
In 1888 this Constitution was revised
John Sherman presided over the Conven-
ton. The basis of suffrage was changed,
SO as to include only every ,ohtte free
man of the age of 2l years.
For So years, black men, if black men
there were, voted in Pennsylvania on pre-.
ciCnIu bo
None Of the evils now predicted of black
suffrage were experienced. Neither the
mental nor social quality of the two races
was thereby established. Amalgamation,
either through matrimony or without, was
not encouraged Not black was made
Governor or Judge, Member of the Coun-
Gil or the Legislature Social order was
not subverted. The government was not
by white men for white men, but by all
men for the benefit of all
In 1888 this democratic basis of govern
ment was overthrow, aud the rights OF
suffrage restricted to>wEite folks. That
the State has been governed any better
since then, no intelligent man win peril
his reputation by asserting.
The Constitution of 1888 has been
changed several times by special amend
ments, but In the main is still in force.
Five years must elapse after one amend
ment before another can be proposed.
Amendments must be proposed by ma
jorities in both branches of two success
sive Legislatures, and then be submitted
tor ratification to vote of the people
As the amendment authorizing soldiers to
vote in the field was adopted in 1864,
four years more must pass before another
amendment can be proposed ia the Lesis-
lature, and six years before an amendment
can be submitted to a vote of the people
What may happen III six years the
keenest human sagacity cannot foresee.
1t Is hardly worth while for people to per-
plez themselves now as to how they will
vote on any question, at so distant
period. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof" A large part of the pre-
sent voters of the State will either be dead
or removed to some other Commonwealth
prior to the year of grace 1871.
The policy or rightiu.ness of insisting
on the Introduction of black suffrage into
the States recently in revolt, raises a diff
ferent question, and one which is imme-
date. If the people of the Northern
'|tONND oiS ~ NoAAN an pau III (IAC oO4ollOh
of that problem, or if the general Govern
sures to that end must be taken without
delay. So soon as the States lately in re-
bellion shall have been restored to their
former position as members of the Union,
the right of Congress to regulate or con-
troll the basis of suffrage therein will have
expired. Now Congress can Justly die
tate the terms on which those States may
be restored to their former status. After
their restoration this body will cease to
have any discretion over the qualifications
of their voters
If the right to vote is an inherent nata-
raj right, then it is inaliehable, aud ffs.
denial involves oppression and injustice.
Then no conditions whatever can be pro-
perly attached to its exercise, except of
actual existence and established residence
If suffrage is conventional right, like
the right Of holding Office or contracting
marriage, then it may be gwen or with
held, according as prudence shall dictate,
and on such conditions as shall seem most
likely to conduce to its salutary use On
this hypothesis, it is fitting to take into
the account the convenience and welfare
of the white population; what is best for
the present and ultimate good and ad-
vancemept Of this portion of the commu-
nifty. But it would be great wrong to
discard all consideration of the happiness
and prosperity of the black people, I9
some of the States they are majority d
the inhabi tants. The destiny of theT
white neighbors is bound up in their des
tiny. They have shown, all through the
war, an intelligent comprehension.- of the