New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-16
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE FOR THE FREED
MEN

The Chicago Times follows its declaration that negro
suffrage is inevitable by argument 10 show that even
from negotiating point Of view it would be harmless
We quote from leading editorial Of Nov. 10;
The most important which revealed by the census In
Mssppi and Alabama great and rapid decrease Of the
black population The decrease Of white population in SIX
years been the State OF Mississippi 1000 The decrease
time 700 In those portions
completed the relative decrease OF blacks and whites is shown
creased in six years at the rate OF 10 cent while IN the
period under oil the destructive agencies OF eiy war
decrease OF white population has been IN the neghborhood
Of per II the ratio shall be the throughout the
south WIZ appear Iha' sns Dack m ' eG a
These orete with certainty that Is more reliable than
prophecy what the inevitable destiny OF the
During the 10 years preceding the war population
cent While in the same period the white population in the
Slave States average rate Of less than 30
a. the rate Of Il per cent while the free negro population
increased only 9 per cent During tbs neIt 10
former viii under the influence OF free
institutions in the proportion as the white pcpusion IN
other while the increase in the negro popua
ton any be reduced 20 the standard OF that Increase
~ state Of freedom STANDARD nGn easn ~ ~ %
be that the proportion OF the negro race 70 inc
race the United continue 10 diminish until the
former in all human probability shall have totally disappeared
Why. then should men OF Gothic oioo9 70 whom
America belongs and whom all other blood Is and shall
continue TO subordinate this continent hesitate grant
elective franchise measure which must IN the nature OF
things be only temporary individuals Of inferior race
who may able the qualifications required Of white
msn for its exercised There is well grounded reason
against 1t viii promote the interests Of the dominant race
who grant II. 81.
THE NEW. TRIBUNE said very frequently within
the past year and nov understand u 70 occupy he same
position that platform Impartial Suffrage and Ussersal
kmn0sty" II Of setementof the question Of
construction restoration those terms Tie Chicago
Tbune Sunday made substantially ss sane dsearalion
majority radical leaders have said that their purpose
m maintaining the agitation concerning the negro question
merely 10 secure 10 tho freedmen Of the South equality civil
political privileges law making suffrage dependent upon
he intelligence Of irrespective Of color would leave
The STATE the South In the control Of who
could conduct properly Only small portion Of the ne
oe In me south can read and nom this fact We Judge Of
the extent Of the enaneAsement which would Immediately
occur under such law Such law would obyiats the obec
ons which have been urged against negro suffrage the
position that Il was 70 be unqualified and would also recog
nze and ssser ha IDEA that political privileges should be
determined BY complexion There IL now an excellent oppor
uny for tho Republican party 20 prove the sincerity OF us
professions touching the exclusion Of the Southern States
II desires only OF suffrage 10 the freedmen upon
the with whites leaving TO tho respective states
TO decide what those terms shall be- 1t more than probable
that the South wl entertain such poPGsllloh ~ Is more
than probable that she will consent that Intelligent negroes may
vote She has pothiue to fear from IMPARTIAL suffrage