Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-02-16
guatrbmum q State guurnaI.
MONTPELIER. FEBRUARY 10, 1865
BY +. p. WALTON.

THR SUFFRAGE QUESTION. The delegation oi
coiored men at Washington have had an interview
with the President. at which they asked him to
favor universal and unrestricted suffrage means
Of securing the rights Of colored men as citizens.
and preventing collisions between the whites and
blacks in the South. The President replied
:" 1t is the people Of the states that must for
themselves determine this thing. / do not want 20
be engaged in a work that win commence war
Of races. | want 10 begin the work Of prepara-
ton for the states or the people in each commu-
nifty; If man demeans himself well, and shows
evidence that this new state Of affairs will operate
be Will be protected in all his rights and be given
every possible advantage by that community -
When they become reconced socially and politi-
cay TO certain things, then will this order Of
things work harmonously; but If forced upon the
people before they are prepared for it, IL will be
resisted and work inharmonously. | feel a con-
uction that driving this matter upon the people
upon the community--will result in the injury Of
both races and the ruin Of one or the other. God
knows have no desire but the good Of the whole
human race. ! would it were so that all you ad-
yooate could be done in the twnklng of an eve ;
but It is not in the nature Of things, and do not
assume or pretend TO be wiser than Providence, or
stronger than the laws Of nature. Let us now
seek to discover the laws governing this thing
There II great law controlling it let US endeavor
to find out what the law is and conform our ac-
tions 70 IT, All the details will then properly ad
just themselves and work out well in the end.
God knows that anything can do | will do in the
mighty process by which the great end is TO be
reached. Anything can do to elevate the races,
TO soften and ameliorate their condition / will do,
and TO be able to do is the sincere desire of my
heart. am glad TO have met you, and thank you
for the compliment you have paid men
The interview was long and the discussion free
principally by Fred. Douglas and the President),
but the position of the President is clearly stated
in the above paragraph. He wants first proper
preparation Of both races for suffrage and then
the consent Of both. This may be a little embar-
RAISING to Congress, but only a little. Congress
has chance to experiment on this question in the
District of Columbia, and doubtless will do it. We
do not believe that unrestricted suffrage fairly
tried, would work any evil there. and we would
try it but if Congress doubts, let it begin with
admitting those who are prepared by peaceable
behaviour and some degree Of intelligence ex-
cluding both whites and blacks who are not "pre-
pared.n II that shall work well at the next election
then let Congress do better. Let US have a model
suffrage school in the District, as an example to
the Southern States and at the same time give us
the amendment to the Constitution, or some other
effective moral suasion for the South - with a
sharp brad in it.