The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1866-02-14

is derived from the people. Lei Us take It
so, and refer 10 The Dislnc, of Columbia by
way OF illustration. Suppose, for instance,
here in This political community, which to
certain exlen! musl have government,
must have law, and putting il upon The
brnadest basis you can put i !; take into
consideration The relation which the white
has heretofore borne 10 The colored race
is II proper to force spon this community
without their consent the elective lranchise
without regard to color, making il universal?
Now, where do you begin? ? Government
mus, have a controlling power-mus, have
a Iodgment. For instance. suppose Con-
eress shoUld pass law authorizing al cleo
ton to be held, a, which all over twenty one
years Of age, wihoni regard TO color should
be allowed to vote, and majority should
decide At such election that The elective
franchite should moi be universal, what
would you 90 aboutiI7 Who would settle
ii? Do you deny thai first great principle
OF he right of the people to govern them
selves viii you resort 10 an arbitrary
power, and say majoriiy of this people
snail receive state Of things they are op
posed 10
Mir Douglass That was said before The
war.
The President-I am now talking about
principle. not wha, somebody else said.
Mr.. Downing-AppIy what you have
said, Mr.. President 10 South Carolina, for
instance.
The PFesidept-SoPpose you 20 to South
CHojina-su2pose you go 10 Obio-lhat
does not change he principle a, all. The
query 10 Which have referred still comes
up when The government is unde rgoing
fundamental change. The government com
Denced upon Ibis priucipIe {; ii has existed
upon il, and you propose now to Dcorpo-
rale into it al elemant that did rot exist be-
fore. say the query comes up. in under
taking this thing. whether we have right
10 make change in regard 10 The elective
franchise in Ohio, for insiaEce--whelher we
shall not Jet the people in that State deciGe
the mater for themselves
Each communitY is better prepared 10 de-
termne the depository Of its polilica! pow
er lhsn any body eIse, and il is for the Leg
isia,ure, for the people of Ohio TO say -hs
shall vote and not for the Congress OF the
United States might 60 down here 10 the
ballot box tomorrow and vote directly for
-uniue5sai -sulTfss %, bulif a great m ior.y Of
this people said no, should consider il
would be ty5auaical and arbitrary In me 10
attempt TO force ii.upoH them without their
will II is fundamental text in my creed
that The will Of the people must be obeyed
when fairly expressed. Is there anything
wrouG or ucfai5 10 that?
Mr. Douglass, smlirg-A great deal Of
wrong, Mr. President, with all respect.
The President--li is the people o! the
S,nres tha: must FOR themselves determine
this question 60 not want 10 be engaged
in a work lha, viii commence a war OF
races. want 10 begin The work of rePa-
ration. II man temeaus himself veil,
and shows evidence that this new state Of
affairs will operate, he Will be protected in
al bis rights and given every possible ad-
vantage by the State or community in which
he lives when they become reconcied So
cialiy aud politically 10 certain shin gs-
Then will this new order Of affairs work
tremendously. Bu, forced upon the people
before they are prepared for it, il viii be
resisted and work iuharmoniously. feel q
conviction that forcing his mater upon The
people, upon Tie commuuny will result 10
the iniury Of bo:h races, and the ruiu Of
ore or Ihe other.
God knows have 10 desire bul ,he good
Of The whole human race. would II were
so that all -you adroca.e could be done in
the twiGSliag OF an eye. Bot /; is not in
The nature OF things, and DO not assume OF
pretend TO be wiser Than Providence, or
stronger than the laws Of nature. Let ns
now seek 10 discover tbe laws governing
this qEestion. There is-a great law coutaH-
Inc IL Letus endeAyoEl0 find out what
that lau is, and conform ooT action to il.
All ,ae delsi,s viii theE properly a5j1si
themselves, aud work ont we'll in the cad.
God knows that anything can do will DO
10 The mighty process by which the great
end is 10 be. reached. -Anythiog can 90 10
elevate tie races, 10 soften and aiusliora,e
their condnion, viii DO, and to bs able 10
do 80 is tie sincere desire OF my heart. ]
am glad .o-hare met you, and lhanll YOU for
the compliment you nave paid M.
Mr. Doagla--l have TO return you our
thauks. Mr. President Tor :" kindly @rant-
ing rs this interview. We did 40, come
here exrecnpg to-argge Ihis question with
your ExcelleRcy, bn' simply TO STATE what
were our views aud wishes N The premises.
If we we're disposed 10 argue he question,
aud you would endeagor 10 conrovert some
OF The positions You haze assumed.
MIR. Downing-Mr. Douglass, take 1t
ina, the President, by his kind expressions