The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-11-24
lConllnunicated.l

Mr.. EDITOR 1T is now apparent that the
next issue to be presented to the people of
Maryland is that of Impartial Suffrage
Now what is 1t? 1t is that neither color,
race, nor previous condition Of servtude
shall any longer deprive n portion of the
citizens of this country from political equal
ity. This is not strictly unirerSal suffrage
but that species which implies that restric-
tons npon the right shall apply to all per-
sons alike. Neither is it intended to apply
to women, who have heretofore been citi-
zens. but who have not voted
This doctrine is undeniably democratic,
and III conformity with our system of repub-
llcan government. Restricting the right of
sutlrag" to any particular class, or race. of
citizens is republican. The laws OF
pure republic must recognise the absolute
equality of all persons before those laws
withheld, it must at length assert itself and
become triumphant. Repubcanism must
exist not only in theory but in fact, also.
Upon this doctrine of Impartial Suffrage
the people of the North and West have late
ly carried the fall elections. They went
forth upon the canvass upon the broad plat
form of liberty, equality before the law and
justice. The magnitude and completeness
Of their triumph have proved their heads to
be rs sound in striking the keynote of pop.
ular ideas, as their hearts were true in adj
vancing them. They have proved that the
| popular heart is tuned to Justice; and that
the nation desires q republic based on the
eternal principles OF Right. In view of this
| the Republican party cannot afford to be un-
Just and if it refuses to accord those rights.
some other party will arise from its ruins,
and grant them. For no party can win in
the future, or can expect, or deserve, sue
cess save by advocating, and champoning
the equal and exact rights OF all mankind
Such party is the victorious Republican
party. Pure in the North and West, we in
| Maryland have sadly departed from its teach
| ings. Forgetting that it is a radical, and
not conservative organization that it is
aggressive, and not defensive we of Mary.
land lost this late election by being too con-
sentative, too timid, too defensive, and by
relying upon the efforts of former years. and
Of other places. When rcpublicanism ig-
norcs its independent and attacking princi
pies its decay is already begun. 1t must be
Il warrior fighting, or a warrior dead.
We at home have learned bitter lesson
| from defeat. Assuming what we did not be-
| cvc; denying what we did not doubt; be
| lCvng what we contradicted +; and trembling
over our own fears, We were detected by the
sham democracy, and punished. Was it just +?
Future times and the lessons of years, will
probably, teach us that we deserved it
We discarded the wisdom of the fathers
and the voice of history, and the appeals of
the present age, and have sunk beneath the
wave Of Wrong. and been cast out upon the
| shore of reflection; and we must reflect
whether we can ever stem the wave without
our bark sails with the ballast Of Justice and
| equality before the law
The time has gone by when success can be
obtained by temporizing measures; and
when the body of the American people
countcnance Wrong.
The Republican party of Maryland was
not true to itself during the last struggle 4;
and being so untrue it was defeated as most
clear observers knew it would be. Because
as has been said before, it did not attack
fraud, wrong, and oppression with sufficient
vehemence, and did not advocate the i'm
mortal principles of Right with sufficient
candor Had it succeeded, history would
have furnished no smile.
| These sentiments are offered, not for ap.
plause, but because they are believed to be
the true ones for the people of our State to
adopt. We must place ourselves right before
mankind or get neither respect for our
struggles, nor pity for our defeats. If it is
unpopular now, it will soon be otherwise
The idea is spreading, and must extend over
all lands where the freeman dwels Liberty
will guide us through battles for its univer.
sal conquest. Though present defeats may
await us, we can hope for an assured victory
in the good time Of years.