The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-25
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1866.
The Negro Question, and the True Issues of
the HOur.

the Democratic leaders insist upon Juggling
the negro issue into all of our political con
tests. For the last five years, there has not
been an election OF any kind in which they
have not made this subject the chief topic of
their discussions. 1t is their political stock in
trade. Without it, they would be obliged to
shut up shop at once. From the election of a
President down to that of pathmaster, the
one great issue with this "ferce Democracy"
Is the negro or, to use their own choice YER
nacular, "nigger" suffrage and "nigger"
equality. If you take up a Democratic paper
you find nothing in it but dismal diatribes
about the "nigger." If you go to a Demo
cratic meeting, you hear nothing discussed
but the everlasting ''nigger." If you engage
a Democrat in political conversation, you are
regaled with nothing but the dreadful Niger"
The "nigger" is first, last, and middlemost.
He stands them in stead of argument, wit,
logic, invective, or sense. He is their poetry
and oratory, their eloquence and their song.
In word, he is their sole issue.
And what is more amusing is, that this
foolish exhibition of the lowest style of dema-
goguery is kept up year after year. AT
every election the old bugbear is brought out
as though it were something new-the old
scarecrow, as though we had never seen it
before. We are always just upon the eoe
of some terrible catastrophe from the colored
gentleman, provided the Union party sue
ceeds. Negro suffrage is predicted as sure to
follow every Republican victory. 1t was so
when we elected Curtin three years ago.
It was so when we elected Lincoln two years
ago. 1t was so when we elected McMichael,
in this city, one year ago. At that last cleo
ton our walls were placarded with bills
bristling with black horrors ION paper) that
were sure to follow Republican triumph.
But somehow the people "don't scare worth
cent" Although our Democratic orators
stand and, with tears in their eyes, warn the
people regularly at every election, of the
terrible and certain fate that awaits them,
the people go right ahead and vote the
Union ticket as usual, One would think that
this old story must get little stale after
awhile. All those that can be frightened
by this bugbear are already in the Demo
cratic ranks. Intelligent and sensible Demo
Gratis must themselves get heartily sick of a
farce that is so thoroughly "played out"
Our advice to our Democratic friends is to
try something else for a while. The negro
question don't pay. The truth is, the issues
of the hour are vastly moIe important than
the question Of negro suffrage, which is not
an issue at all. 1t is true that there are many
persons who think that man who is Virtuous,
intelligent, honest, pays his taxes, and obeys
the laws, ought not to be deprived of a vote
simply on account of his complexion Indeed,
we know of two of the present Democratic
candidates fol Congress in this city who have
privately avowed themselves in favor OF allow
ing the colored citizens of Pennsylvania to
vote. There are many intelligent Democrats
who do not hesitate to express the same senti-
ment. So, too, there are some good men who
think that women ought to be allowedto vote.
Even SO great philosopher and statesman as
John Stuart Mill, of England, is of this
opinion. But the question of suffrage is not
now what we have to deal with. 1t may be-
come an issue at some future time. When it
does, then is the proper time to meet it.
But the great questions we now have to
settle are those which grow directly out
of the Rebellion. 1t remains to be seen
whether we shall reconstruct the Rebels or
they shall reconstruct us. 1t is to be deter
mined whether or not we live under a Govern
ment of laws, and whether the great popular
branch of the Government, the IaW-making
power, shall be preserved in its constitutional
integrity. What good will suffrage do any
body if the people, through their representa-
tives, are not to have the privilege Of making
the lawss The constitutional supremacy of
Congress, as the law-making power in the
Government, is the great issue which looms
above all others in this contest. This must
be settled before we can tell whether the suf-
trage is to remain of much use to any of us.
"Win you have president or a king?" was
the substance of one of Mr.. Stewards ques-
tions during the late Executive tour. The
people are going to answer that question at
the polls this fall. Until this great question
ia settled, all Others must be adjourned.
Let our Democratic friends, ii they would
be men among men, cease their silly talk
about the negro, and grid up their loins Tor
the real contest that now agitates the country
Let them beware of so conduc ing the canva;
on their part that decent man shall have to
forfeit his own selt-respect by taking part
with them.