Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-06-27
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.

The new Constitutional Amendment
leaves the question of suffrage where 1t
finds il, only it applies sort Of attach
men1 to the practical working ofthe SUBJ
ject, by means of which an effect is pro-
duced on Congressional representation.
But this affords no reason why those who
are in favor of impartial suffrage, as
three. fourths of tho loyal men at heart
are, should not still labor to bring about
that grand reform, which will be the nat.
ural and almost necessary consummation
of the restored Union. The cause can be
promoted in various ways. In states like
Connecticut, there should be no rest until
the assured disfrachisement Of few hum
dred negroes is done away with. Where
ever the jurisdiction of Congress reaches,
il should be seen to that its action in this
respect is toward the fullest justice and
impartiality. Public sentiment should be
everywhere kept awake to the subject,
constantly enlightened and furnished
with sound arguments, so that whatever
opportunity may occur for advancing the
good cause shall be turned to practical
account. ....laf. .....
Among the schemes of the day for oh.
tanning impartial suffrage, we observe one
started by the colored citizens of New
Jersey. At meeting recently held in
Newark, they resolved that "as this gov
ernment derives its power from the con.
sent of the governed, which consent can
only be obtained through the ballot box
any State that DISTINGUISHES any portion
of its citizens on account of color is in
that respect anti, Republican, and in vic.
lation of constitutional right and that the
Judiciary of the country is bound to pro.
tect inviolate this inestimablc right from
being destroyed or impaired, any Congress
sional or State legislation or Executive
action to the coutry notwithstanding"
1t was therefore determined to carry
this question up to the Supreme Court Of
the United States, in the shape of a ma
tional test suit for final adjudication
and decision. Eminent counsel have been
retained and the State has been sufficient.
" organized to insure the prosecution OF
this purpose We are glad to record the
movement. Many able men believe
that impartial suffrage can be judicially
deduced from the direct relation of our
Government to it's male citizens. We
would like to see the question thoroughly
presented to the Supreme Court and de-
cidcd by Chief Justice Chase and his as
sociates If the decision should be favor
able to the claimant of impartial suffrage
it would settle the whole question. and
rank in point of grandeur and beue6cence
second only to the decree of emancipation
But even if the Court should decide other
wise, or should be unable to give any
practical decision in the premises, its rea
sonipg on the case would undoubtedly
throw a food of light Of valuable light OF
the whole subject, and have an excellent
effect on the public mind.
In the meantime. as one item in this
account, we would inquire where the bill
which passed the House of representative
declaring impartial suffrage in the Dis
of Columbia, is? 1t went through tn,
House by large majority. and was hail
ed with satisfaction by the people. Ii
the Senate it has fallen into a mysteriou
obscurity. If it is not satisfactory in it
structure or details, let it be taken up an,
amended. There is no danger but tina
the two Houres can agree in the matter i
it is once earnestly taken in hand. Ger
tainly, it is worth while to make the eff
fort. There is no question in this case 0
the sovereign jurisdiction of Congress
Nor is there much less doubt Of its dut,
to follow up its noble work OF applying
Equality of rights, which it has so nobl
; begun, The colored citizens of the Dis
Of Columbia, also, are exempt from th
disquali6catlons that may be urged agains
them elsewhere. They pay heavy taxes
they are intelligent. and they enliste,
9546 soldiers to defend the old fsg in th
war, besides contributing thousand vol
unteers to tho regiments of other State,
For their own sake, and the sake of tn
cause of impartial suffrage in the Who'll
country, we trust tkat some plan of ad
hitting these colorcd citizens of the Di.
trict of Columbia to the polls will 500
prevail.