Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-11-29
Thursday Morning, Nov. 20, 1866.
Northern Views Of the
Qualification Of Negroes
to Vote.

Northern men who nave Deen
connected with the army do uot
generally entertain the opinion
that the negro is fit person to be
entrusted with the right of suf-
frage. While they do not think
he possesses sufficient intelligence
to properly exercise the privileges
of a voter, they fear the old associ-
ations would be SO brought to bear
as to control him in the exercise
of that privilege. AS bearing up
ON this point, the New York Post
of the l4th inst, prints the follow
ing extract from a letter from "an
intelligent and sagacious officer,
now in command in South Carroll
ma"
81 hope that Congress will stick
to the amendment, and ask nei-
Their more nor less. Believe me
that, first, the negroes are not iit to
vote; and second, they would gen.
orally vote with their old masters.
Don't you know that our Connect
icut blacks always used to vote
the old wing ticket, following the
ruffie-shizted old gentleman who
formerly owned them? 1t would
be like that here. 1t is a bad
policy, | firmly believe, for the
North to insist that the negroes
shall vote, and consequently be
represented"
Here is what Gen. Tarbell,
since the war resident of Mis-
sissippi, says in regard to the ne
gro: .
"Negro suffrage is measure of
the most stupendous wildness and
humbug of this or any other age.
Mormonism is fifty compared to the
depravity of the blacks, but to
these vices add universal thieving
and lying, ignorance, incapacity,
and q total want of politicians
about the loyal blacks, and the
brave colored soldier, is an insult
to truth. The blacks were loyal
to the South, and it is not true
that the colored troops fought
bravely everywhere, or on any oc-
-casion. There was no rising on
the part of the South, though in
whole counties and districts, for
hundreds of miles, there were no
males at home; in fact they were
kept in subsection, and at work,
by the women! They nowhere
in the South voluntarily enlisted,
but were seized and enrolled with
or without consent. They showed
signs of welcome to our troops
but they were no less demonstra-
tive to the rebel armies.
81 served by the side of the col
ored troops before Port Hudson,
and know their conduct was
poor burlesque on soldering, as
was General Banks COMPLIMENTS
ry order on their bravery and
good conduct. Ali the speeches
in Congress advocating equality
between the white and black SOL
diers were keenly resented by eve
ny officer and soldier of the army;
but none dared speak out. No
matter what interested officers,
partisans, politicians and dema-
gogues may say, the black soldiers
did not earn their rations. The
Union owes them nothing to its
supports soldiers. They owe
a debt of gratitude to the govern
ment for maintaining them in idle
ness and starvation.
s'They have not the integrity,
capacity or education for voters,
and will not have for generations.
AS allies of the Radicals they
would prove worse than useless,
for they do not possess the faculty
or instinct of combination, and
they would disclose all party Sc
crets to their secession owners.
"Were Henry Ward Beecher to
come down here and own a plant
alton in person, we can imagine
what, from his well-known piety
and goodness, be would do for the
blacks, both spirituallyan pecuni-
arily; yet, after all he would do,
they would study in a religious
meeting, Of which they are ex-
cessively fond and in which they