Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-12-20
Black Franchise as a Basis of
Reconstruction

The Cincinnati Gazette Wisely re
marks: Negro suffrage was inventeS
as patch upon an unwise and pre-
mature reconstruction scheme; which
restored to political power in thu
rebel States the same class OF Der
sons who led them into the rebellion
1t was a proposition to bring in
new class of veters, whose loyalty
was Of unmistaksble color, who, ad
ded to the loyal whites of the South
weuld form loyal popular majority
This was the theory. We have
from the beginning opposed policy
that would restore the rebel class tc
power in the Confederate States, and
therefore We have denied that We
were subject to any necessity lol
bringing in new voting class tc
enter into conflict with them fol
the control of affairs; ard we hole
that they who put negro suffrage or
this ground, reduce a matter of prin-
ciple and of human rights to make
shift for difficulty winch has ne
right to exist, and for which the
remedy will be found a delusien and
q snare.
The question of enfranchising the
negroes is a thing TO be judged by
the principles of the rights of man.
Or if the question of its effect upon
the general welfare enters into the
consideration, it should be the wei
fare for all time, and not its availa
bility for temporary expediencY. II
we do it to bring in votes to over
balance party, we subject our ac-
tion to the charge of altering the
franchise> by our party necessity.
And to this we shall add the folly OF
degrading a principle Of human
rights to eur party purposes, and
failing in the object; for no class that
has grown up in serVitude, and that
will still remain dependent in a great
degree for subsistence upon the land
holding class, can be relied upon to
unite against them in political affairs.
And do people really reflect upon
what is comprehended in such a class
conflict between property and labor,
that they look to 1t to restore tran
quslityf
There is only one ground upon
which the acknowledgements OF the
blacks can be rightly considered, and
that is On the ground of right; not Of
right for this time, or because some
of them fought for country, or be-
canse they are better than rebels, but
of eternal right. II the measure
cannot stand upon that ground, it is
unworthy Reconsideration. Itweuld
not have served any purpose as
patch upon Johnsen's policy Of re-
storing rebels TO political power; and
it would not be reliable now as a
basis for a new reconstruction upon
universal suffrage, or upon the sim
partial partial suffrage, or any other
suffrage.
The loyal class of whites who were
to cealesce with the blacks, and thus
form dominant loyal party, has not
been found. AS s. general thing they
would sooner coalcsce with the rebels
than the blacks. Thus the project,
if carried out, would divide the peo
pie into two parties by the Inns of
color; and the blacks would be the
weaker, and would be exposed to all
the animosity that would be created
in the dominant class by political
jealousy added TO the other caste
hostilities.
But it never weuld be carried ont.
AS soon as the enfIanchisement has
been done, the political elements
would settle into their usual arrange.
ment Although the relation of
slavery is abolished, property retains
Its ancient power. The condition of
property and Of the laborers in the
South is apt for placing the political
control in the property class. And
there will be the hostility of the
white laboring class toward the blacks
10 divide the power Of the mass, and
play into the hands of the land hold
ng aristocracy. And we have 70
reason to suppose that .he aristo-
cratic leaders Of the Democratic par
y have lost their cunning in subject
ng the igaorant elements o? ssciety
% that party.
AS measure to fit the reconstruc-
ion emergency, negro suffrage is a
deception. 1t will create q great
voting ignorant class, of the kind |
which naturally drifts into the Dem
,crstic party-a party equivalent to
which will exist under some name
70 long, as there are ignorant and |
ricieus elements to be used by dem |
gogues for their political ambition
Is to its being measure for the
,eneral Improvement Of the Govern
nent, we open vide range when
re consider it upon that ground; for
allows the governing class to. limit