The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-09-11
Butler on Shcrman-Ciyil War and
Negro Suffrage.

Butler on shcrman-Ciyil War and
Negro Suffrage.
BEN. BUTLER made speech at Philadel-
phia, when be and ScHENcK and FRED.
DOUGLASS we're on their hunt together,
from which We copy below.
II Is remarkable for three things. II
threatens civil war--more spoons being
wanted by the "Beast." 10 has a slur upon
General SHERMAN. In imitation Of the Day
ton journal, which had on its bulletin
board ''SiIERMAN'S SHAME" vt the time
Of JoHSsroN's surrender. Aud It is bitter
and plain on the question of negro suf-
frage.
This is the man who is to be imported Ia
Dayton to help his Radical brother
SCHKNCK. Now IL only FRED. DOUGLASS
would accompany him, the measure Of
radical joy would be complete. Here are the
extracts:
Louisiana, after secession. and before that
glorious old man Farragut seized her capi-
tai was practically out Of the Union. Her
citizens voluntarily withdrew their repre-
sentatiVes from Congress. When conquered
by the arms Of the United States they be-
came paroled prisoners OF war, and ac-
knowledged themselves that they had no
civil rights. When did they get their
rights? when sherman surrendered TO
Johnston? [Laughtcr.l | beg your par
don, when Johnston surrendered to Sher-
man. [Applanse. Our OppO-
nents say that this is TO be white mans
Government; accept this dogma in its
length aud breadth; ! look for color, but It
is the color Of the breast. tRapturous APP
plause,l Iprcfer a black loyal man to a
white Rebel. The ques@sn of negro suf-
trage Is the question of armlng the negroes
over again. We are hesitating; our enc
mics may arm the negro with the ballot
before we do. And we may suffer from it.
There is prejudice against 1t among us ;
it is the prejudice of labor. When labor
saving machinery was first introduced into
England wOrkmen destroyed them. They
feared that these implements would deprive
them of their labor. Our labOring classes
have been taught to be jealous of the nc
gro; this feeling has been fostered by po-
litical leaders. As we have abolished
slavery, let us abolish all its attendant In
cideutS.
The right of fixing the suffrage is said to
belong to States. but the right of regulat-
ing IL does certainly not belong to Rebels
aud Traitors. (Applause.l The qualiflca-
tiOns of suffrage should be right and just.
Let no impossible qualifications be fixed to
prevent mans voting because he is not
whitc--this is an impossible condition. If
States establish Oligarchics, Congress has Il
right to interfere It being the province of
Congress, under the Constitution, to guar
antee to each State a republican form of
Government; hut IN the Territory, where
we have our camps of parolcd prisoners,
Congress has the right to fix the rules of
the camps.
Congress can not interfere with States :;
true, but the revolted have not been re-
stored to individual States. Andrew john
son had no power to recognize them as
States. This action is and was unconstitu-
tional
The General next testified to the bra
very Of his cOlOred troops, saying that af-
ter Il battle, when he saw the dead ana dy-
ing blacks, he recorded vow that while
his right hand possessed its cunning he
would labor for justice to the black man.
Cheering and applause.l He did not con-
tend that every negro should vote. but
every negro who served in the army should
vote; if he could not write he had made
his mark. Applause.l Let every State
make its own quail ilications; let it be read
ing and writing, but grant it to white and
black alike.
As to the expediency of impartial suf-
irage, the future loyal voters of the South
must De Whlte-healte0 men. The ballot
will elevate the negro just as the army did.
Those who want political power will pro-
tect the negro, and until the negro has the
ballotHwe c3nnot expect free speech in the
South. l do not propose to make this an
issue in this campaign. but | do wish to
make it an issue that the Southern rebels
shall not gain forty representatives. The
question is now aS it was at the period of
arming the negroes. When we did il, lib
erty pcrched on our banners. 1t was an
act of justice. Let us be just now.
Let us stand up for it boldly, for God
leads, and men follow bold men. Let lis
say to the loy0l Southern men, set forth
your grievances as you feel them, and, il
within the constitutional power of Con-
gress, you shall have your rights, if the
armies of the United States can enforce
them. Struggle and suffer on; the great
heart of the North sympathizes with you
and we will take care that an Executive
shall no longer interfere with liberty in
| America.
At the conclusion of his speech the Gen.
eral was loudly cheered.