Litchfield enquirer., 1865-09-14
Address Of the Union stats Central
 Conamittes.
0ths Voters ef tae State ef csnneetiess:

Ccmmltteee 7oshe Voters cf the State ef Connectiest:
 On the first Monday of October next you are to decide 6 most important question, namely :: Shall eur State constitution be amended, in the clause which limits suffrage, by striking out the word swhite'f' No other restrictive provision is touched by this amendment. It admits to the elective franchise only such blacks as have the qualification now required of whites. It simply makes the rule fall equal ly upon every native of the state. Of all alike it requires an age of 21 years, good charac- ter, and ability to read the equalization It makes intelligence, and not color, the standard of suffrage. Itthus blots out, in Connecticut, an unreasonable and unjust discrimination, and which is but 3 relic of that subserviency to slavery from which our nation is at last re- deemed. ,t, s
 ! The justice of this change is obvious. Fit ness to discharge tho highest duties of citizen ship depends upon intelligence and character; not ct all upon color. Devoted patriotism, though not hitherto encouraged by equal re. cogniti0n, has not been wanting in mon of ne- gro blood Black men as we'll ss white fought to secure our independence in the revolutions " struggle. Black men as well as white con tributed of their means to support of the gov ernment. Black men as well as white have fought to maintain o4r national existence and unity. As our regiments return from hard fought feldS, where lily have bravely defend ed the banner of the slate and of the Union, should yon deny the privileges of citizenship to any who have the requisite intelligence. it would be but . poor return for their fidelity. We believe this amendment not only an act of justice, but . measure of the wisest policy. However it may be elsewhere, with you in this al so at of state concern, to be determined as the inter- ests of the state direct. We hold it ofno small importance to give to the black as we'll as to the white every incentive to honorable effort, every nnotiyoto q true and living patriotism, every just indncement to elevate himself and his children. Upon the industry, intelligence and devotion ofthe people, depend the success and strength of the republic. The wonderful power displayed by the nation in the defence of the government -a power that has astonish- ed and awed other nations, and inspired them with new respect for cur free institutions to what is it owing, if not to the wise and lib aeral policy which has given education and hon. orable iincentives to all our people, and enlist ed the devoted affection of the humblest citi zen z To one class only this state has denied that personal Interest in the government. By offering to that class also those same incentives the state will but increase its strength. In q republican system, like ours, unjust discrimi- nations are ever sources of jealousy and dan ger. Remove that needless prescription, and make intelligence without regard to color the standard, and many of the evils which now at- tend the presence of different races will pass forever out of sight.
 z The record of the last four years is still be- fore us. Black men and white have fought side by side for the preservation of this Union; they have suffered alike {; and they sleep side by side in honored graves. During all this struggle for our existence as nation, the black race has been true to the Union, faithful among the faithless' in some parts of the re- public; the unfailing friends of our soldiers i; the surest guides of our officers; prompt to warn our armies of approaching danger wig liant to discover the designs of the enemy j; brave and always true to aid and succor our prisoners in their flight. Have they not, by their fidelity and courage, done something to relieve us of the prejudice against them on ac- count of color.
 s@ And now the question comes to us 1: Shall not tie black man, who can answer all the re- squirements of our laws, be permitted to cast his vote at the ballot box Now is the time to mete out long denied justice. Shall it not be given? We have every reason to hope that it will. Throughout the state the signs are suspicious. Friends of the government every where appreciate the importance o. the issue. Old prejudices have melted away in the fires of the great contest. Loyalty everywhere welcomes and honors true loyalty. And if every friend of the Union will but do his duty in a thorough canvass, and at the polls on the first Monday in October, the proposed amend ment will be adopted. an act of justice will be dsne. right will be yindioated, and the govern ment strengthened. To this end the. Union state committee expects and calls upon every true Union man to his whole duty. The result will richly reward exertion. R4a 'Ats.f@ ., Iiiss N. D. SHERRY. Chairman. easss a.ssss s1sHs1s, $. s1s.A., Hartford County.
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