New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-07
Mr.. SUMMERS SPEECH.

Mr.. Sumner concluded yesterday a great
speech on the true basis of Republic. We
believe il will exaIt his reputation as states.
man, a scholar and a deyotee Of Liberty. II
/ is elaborate; but his theme demanded thorough
treatment, and we think very few who read the
speech will find it too long. He will not con-
vince the majority, that the Federal ConStltu-
ton as il stands empowers Congress TO extend
and guarantee the Right of Suffrage IN the
States lately in revolt to the Black race, and
especially to the Freedmen; but he has very
clearly demonstrated that il ought to be 50 ex-
tended-that the Rights Of the humble, the
hated the scorned, ought especially to be pro.
tected by their Right TO Vote Hear what he
says on this point ...
President johnson. in bis ANIMAL Message SAYS;
In of the usurpation OF the government Of a
State by an Oligdrchg II becomes duty OF
the United States 10 make good the guaranty to that
State OF Republican form OF government" The
President forgets 10 mention an Arstocracy and does
not add what is true that tie authority which must
make good the guaranty is the sole judge Of the
exgency To this end everything centers IN Congress
whose powers commensurate with the occasion. In
aid OF the guaranty oause are those other words IN
! the Constitution, providing that Congress shall have
power TO make all laws which shall be- necessary and
proper for carrying into execution the powers vested ~
| The Government Of the United States Under this
ample provision, there Is duty TO be performed by
ANY means which may seem best. The Jurisdiction Is
complete and II 10 an Congress.
In the exercise of this power two courses open
One is 10 impose an irreDeaable condition upon tie IN.
republican States recurring them before recognition
10 reform their governments 10 the satisfaction Of
Congress. The other and more direct course "a by
Act Of Congress In performance OF the " guaranty
and according TO the plenary authority for carry ing
into execution the powers vested in the Government OF
the United States 10 provide all needul safeguards
and especially 10 place the Equal Rights OF All under
the guardianship OF National Law
Against the exercise OF this power there are but
two arguments First that the Constitution. by pro-
yidng that the electors IN each State shall have the
ALLEGATIONS requisite FOR electors Of the most numer
ous brunch Of the State Legislature has reserved TO
each State the power Of excluding citizens merely
account OF color though constituting more than
minority Of the population. The other argument Is
that since certain states nj the North have dsiran
chised the few colored persons within their borders tho
United States far constrained by this example
that they cannot protect the millions offfeedmeD IN the
Rebel States from disiranclisepeni, and cannot save
the Republic from the peril OF such crying Injustice
know not which OF these two Arguments Ia the least
reasonable or rather which Is the rcprehensbe
They are both unreasonable and both reprehensble
They both do violence the true principles Of the Con
stltutOn II not TO common sense.
trne that according to the text 81 the Consttu
ton each State may determine the qualifications Of
electors but this can have no application 10 m
e1igency like the present where at the close Of pro-
obliged TO guaranty 10 certain states Republican form
Of government In the performance Of this guaranty"
the United States look only at the essential elements
OF such governments more nor less; without re.
gard 10 State laws But. am not willing TO rest the
argument here Even assuming that there has bccn Do
lapse Of State Governments, so as 10 bring the
guaranty" into operation = assuming that We are
in q condition OF assured peace = then utterly
deny that the power TO determine the " Qualiics-
tions OF electors give any power TO dsiranchise
actual citizens. II is qualifications only which tue
States can dstermine-meanng, BY this limited term
those requirements Of personal condition which are
eeerded 10 essential 10 the security OF the franchise
These Qualifications cannot be 10 their nature per
manent or ipsurmountabe. Color cannot be quail
1cstiop" any more than sze or the quality OF the hair
A permanent or insurmountable qualification Is
eeo{yslent 10 deprivation Of the suffrage; In other
vards IL is the tyranny Of taJoton without repre-
senaton and this tyranny insisi Is not introstcd to
nv state of this Union. This Is the very ground taken
Inv Mr. Madison when defending the National Consti'
tntion in the Virginia Convention, he said:
"some States requisite the elections on the principle
NJ IonaIfv aud otlsrs might regulate them oil.erwise
Should The people OF any State means DO deprived %
H. Iisb of suffrage udged Proptr nat mould be
s~.,e,,d bu flf General fotefnmeat " the elediG1s
he ,.ss,ed properly BY the State esslsture the Cons
ir cauirol viii very probably never BE- eHcIcifd This
and unlikely N w aphlea "