Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-12-11
lCOM1IUNICATED.

.. ..ss: COMMUNICATED.
Watchman! what Of the night? Would to
God we might be able to say that the morning
Hght is at hand. The times. indeed are sadly
out Of Joint, and what is best to be done may
we'll tax the ingenuity Of the wisest and best
men.
The great want Of the South is peace, and
how is peace to be attained without dlshonor,
and how is the current of events longer to be
resisted without thus being overwhelmed by
it?
We entered wildly and blindly into contest
against large odds of men and means, and in
defence of an Institution against which the
progress Of the world was steadily marching.
Nearly 40 years ago slavery had been abol-
ished in the West India islands, and Serfdom
in Russia was trembling and painting to break
its trammels.
Instead of listening to, and heading the in
eyorable logic of events, we vainly endcavored
10 build dam against a surging food, and the
consequence was that every thing that opposed
the food was swept away, and a race long en-
saved became free. We might have gotten
gradual emancipation and colonization, but we
could not see the end, and we have a recently
enslaved race now tree and among u.s.
What shall We do? My impression is that
the contest is now between universal negro Sut-
trage and impartial suffrage, perhaps it is be-
tween Northeru domination and limited negro
suffrage.
Perhaps we may, at some far distant future,
have returning sense Ut justice at the North,
thar will give US our righ'S, but il so it must
be in the far lu5ure, and IN the m"antlme our
business interests aud all financial Undertakings
will anguish. Perhaps his angry sentiment
at the North may grow aud cuiulnate IN abso-
ute domination ot the party opposed to Us,
and then will come ruin and disaster. haf
should be done?
No man with he spirit of man can vote
Tor the constitutional amendment; 1t is out ot
,hr que ton. Is there no middle course which
will do justice ard yet be conservative? l
think there is, and it is sims,ly thus
Let the right Of suffrage be restricted 70 al!
mates above 2l who have been assess d with,
and paid prior 70 the 1T of Jan, preceding the
general election, al the state, coun y, parish
ami corporation; taxes to7 the year preceding
'ha in which they offer to vote, a"d at er
1870 ,.ermt no u.an to vote whn is unable
TO read and write sufficiently we'll to register
his Own name, age anI Residence on he Reg-
issry Of Voter. .-..
The residence in the State should not ex
ceeH one year, and he residence III the county
six months.
What will be the evils resulting from this
qualification for voting?
1t will admit some negro voters, but they
will be OF class W:o have sufficient means and
self respect to pay all their public dues, aud i
will increase the puhllc revenue, and dltnlnlsh
the large num''er Ut deiln4Ueuts that are year
after year returned ty the Shertfs and 1t Will
satisfy reasonable public sentiment at the North,
which, however 10th we may be to admit 1t,
is an element to be noted in the calculation.
But says some oue "Candidates will pay the
taxes of voters, and thus men OF means Will
secure votes, and the people become corrupt
ed"
Cannot law be passed or even Incorporated
into the Constitution OF each State, making 1t
penal offence for any candidate to do SO. and
even entailing disqualification Tor holding
office for the offence.
What will be the gain? We will manage
our own affairs, we will hold out Inducements
to the negroes to become quiet, orderly and III
du>triuus citizens; we will cause thlrs'lng
after SnoHleGge in all classes, which Will cause
an Improvement OF our people IN character
and education, and see every reasonable pros
pect of speedy and harmonious reunion,
which will cause our waste places to blossom
as the rose
Has the Legislature exhausted the power
conferred on it to amend the 3rd article or
can 1t still try to amend it?
STERN FACTS.
Loudoun county, Va.
I'VE need hardly add that we do not favor
the views of the writer, and do not agree with
him, in his enumeration OF expected benefits,
Or in our belief as to the correctness of his con-
cusons-but are perfectly willing that he