The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-05

Y.
destitute of the property qualification
requisite to entitie them to vote
They have been we'll educated. and
are the sons of many of our most
respectable citizens, and some Of them
have been colonies and generals in the
Confederate army. Are they, with
all their responsibility, virtue, edu-
cation and distinction, to be disfran-
chised by this compromise and placed
upon an equality with the negro, OF
below him, as to the right Of suf-
frage?
At the organization of the State
Governments, during, and immedi-
ately after the American Revolution
there were great many restrictions
imposed on the right of suffrage. Tie
example of Great Britain had its in
tuence on the Judgment of our an
cestors IN regulating this right.
But as time progressed, and republi-
can principles were better understood
and more highly appreciated, these
restrictions were all swept away, ex-
cept IN one or two States, by n more
enlightened, liberal and Just public
opinion. All free white male per
sons, over the age of twenty-onc,
have been allowed to vote in all the
Southern States, for many years past,
who are citizens. No other qualiti-
cation IS required. In my opinion,
this is. right and proper, and should
be adhered to, as sacred to republican
principles. Its abandonment at
this time, and the disfranchisement
of two or three hundred thousand
| voters, would be sad grievance.
They are liable to taxation, to work
on the roads, do military and police
duty, and, when necessary, to defend
their country at the sacrifice of their
lives
If the proposed compromise sim
ply enfranchised negroes, who could
read and write, and had q property
qualification, without DISTINGUISHING
white persons, it might, with reason
and propriety, be accorded to by the
Southern States There is sound
philosophy, public policy and justice
IN permitting, as they do in some of
the Northern States, negroes to vote
who have a property qualification,
and can read and write. 1t would be
a stimulus to their good conduct and
elevation, morally and intellectually
1t would be safety-valve to their
superior intelligence and industry
Such negroes in the Northern States,
as 9 friend of mine recently informed
me, generally vote with the least
radical party" In North Carolina,
when such negroes were allowed to
vote in that State, Mr.. Stanley de-
clared in the House of Representa-
tlves, always voted with the gen
tlemen. In Connecticut, very re-
Gently, this class of negroes voted
against comforting general suffrage
on their whole race. They said, :" let
them show themselves worthy of suf-
frage, as we have done, and they can
obtain it.
The proposed constitutional amend
ment DISTINGUISHES all in the South
ern States who had ever taken an oath
to support the Constitution, and af
terwards aided or conntenanced the
war in any way. The unanimous
opinion of the South has been tha!
such terms were dishonorable and
self-degrading. [ would ask, in all
candor and sincerity, if those of i'm
partial suffrage are not equally SO 2
Ii it be dishonoraLle to deprive two
or three hundred thousand prominent
men in the Southern States Of the
right of holding office, is it not equal
ly dishonorable and degrading, to de-
prlve the same number Of humble.
though worthy men, who have fought
our struggle for self-govern-
ment, Of the right of participating at
all IN the government under which
they have to live ? In my opinion.
it is worse. They who are sacrificed
by the amendment are allowed to
vote; but they who are to be sacrificed
by {" impartial suffrage are de-
prived Of this right altogether. This
too, is to apply only to
the Southern States. In the North.
the same class of persons are allowed
to exercise the right of suffrage.
[ know it has been urged that this
qualified impartial suffrage will only
those who are not so well |
qualified to vote, and thereby i'm
prove our representatives and civil
officers. DR.. Franklin illustrated his
views on this subject by stating a
case. In his day and time, there was
u property qualification OF $3.50 for a
voter in Pennsylvania. A man had a
jackass worth this sum, and. he was
to vote. Before the naxt |