The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-01-05


the rehabilitation of these communities as
SStates, whence is the power derived that
UNITS Itself to these eXactions? If the United
states government has the power thus to deal
with the the smsuTectionary States,n does not
the same power authorize the imposition of
any other conditions demanded by justice OF
national safety?
1t has been said that an attempt to inter-
fere with the right of suffrage might as well
be made in Pennsylvania as South Carolina or
Mississippi. If so, then why by the same rea-
sonlng, did not peremptory mandamus issue
to Kentucky, New Jersey and Delaware, to
ratify the amendment of the constitution abol-
fishing slavery, as well as to require Georgia
and Florida to do so? The demand upon the
revolted States that they shall pass laws of
particular class and ratify constitutional
amendments, imposing these acts rs condi-
tons to their return TO the Union, is the ex-
ercise OF power not to be found in the con-
stitution OF the United States, and can only
be justified or defended on the ground that
having revolted against the government they
have forfeited their relations and rights as
States of the Union. If this be not so, ii they
have not so forfeited, then the imposition of
any Terms whatever is an usmpation of au-
thority quite as glaring as it would have been
to make demand upon the non-concurring
loyal States to ratify the amendment of the
constitution abolishing slavery. Holding these
views, and it being the duty of the United
States to guarantee republican form of gov.
eminent to the States composing it, is itnot its
right in re-adjusting the relations of the re-
volted States to require such changes in their
organic laws as shall make them such in fact?
Is it not both the right and the duty of the
national government to forbid the creation by
law OF castles, and to secure equal rights to all
who have not reasonably offended? A SOL
emn oohgatlon rests upon this nation, that no
discrimination shall be made on the basis of
difference of complexion, and much more
that those who have proved themselves almost
! the only friends of the government in its dire
extremity, shall not be the subjects of limita-
lions which are not imposed upon those whose
only claim to loyalty is that they are embrac-
ed in the terms of the Presidential Amnesties,
or have pardons in their pockets under the
great seal OF the United States, while the
blood OF our countrymen has scarcely dried
upon their hands. ,ro,,e +. -. =.
{ The restoration of the relations of the re-
volted States to the Union upon any other ba-
sis than that of limiting the exercise of DO
{ Htieal rights to the actually loyal population.
or one which shall fail to secure the recogni-
ton OF the colored race as freemen having
equal rights and obligations with the whites.
or omit to provide for their moral and intel
~-N.~
OF the free state, cannot be contemplated ex-
cept with the profoundeSt alarm. The san
culinary examples of other countries admon-
lsh us OF the difficulties of obtaining an en-
larSement OF rights to classes who are under
the ban OF privileged orders We want no
such contests here. Having the power now to
guard against their occurrence, if the oppor-
tunity is omitted, twill only be reached again,
II at all, through fresh torrents of blood, the
Of rrtI,fs II, oIxoS IL L
Justice, humanity, good faith, national honor
and national selfinterest, alike forbid that we
should fail to improve it. -. - -
Ihe dlihcultles which surround this sub
Ject and perplex its settlement, result from the
complex character ofour government. and are
aggravated by the prejudices existing AGAINST
the oolored race, as well in the loyal States as
III the South. That they will be overcome. as
as have all those which have beset our coun-
try in its perilous path through the days of the
rebellion, conformably to the principles of
justice, would tbe a distrust of Providence to
doubt. To the action of tine great council of
the nation the eyes of al are turned, as with
1t must rest the Inauguration of the measures
which vast majority of those who stood firm
ly on the side OF their country in its peril. re-
gard as indispensable to its own security and
the maintenance of good faith to its now 9TH
erwise helpless allies, 80. - ~
Inc oDJecGlotl 70 investing the colored race
with the elective franchise, growing out of
lheir ignorance, Is one having great force, but
applicable alike to the white man OF the same
mteiiectual cond!tlon.a 10 obviate this, there
may pc necessity lot postponing their full
lnVessl!ure with TINS right until they, in COM
mon with other IGNORANT persons, shall be fit
Tea 9y education for its exercise. The stimu-
lIs tnis Woula mpart to the educational effort
OF pom races would be OF lncalculable benefit.
~ IN the ineantime, as measure OF security to
Tue natlon, tne constitution OF the Union
snouu 9e SO amended as to limit the right of
national a. representatlon 70 the legal number Of
sunlases ih each state' and to define who
s sI.a ne electors, IN tqe safes, or President,
rce-IresiGent, ana representatives to the
Oongless OF the United States The fathers
~ tnls o.ate, nearly nIty years ago, in framing
liz aeef wiiseii wo iiayc essot-
pieu " .ase uton US our respective ofhciai func-
sionSi p.an.eu ~ upon uie nroaaeSt oasls OF
Az a,a 'lpaI:aai Jusllce. Adopting
s.e Il:isiple anu pracuee OF universal suffrage
~ gisins sae panot 70 ali tney PROVIDED sys-
o oene o: uivcIsai eaocation winch should fit
an ior us lltelilseno exercise. during our ex-
aS.eaGe as no PERSON ever proposed to
Se,, - ID W ;nv r no voice mas