The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-11-24
From the Boston Post.
The Suffrage Question.

1t 10 ne now thing that this paper pronoun-
ces for impartial suffrage in every state of
the Union, therefore we 'folow" no journal
In advocating it. We expressed the same
opinions on this bject we offer now, nearly
two years ago. Events may have made the
matter more urgent, but events never have
altered our views of the soundness of the
principle in a free community. 1t is, in fact,
thoroughly democratic principle, equal In
It's application, and fortified by the highest
considerations both of policy and of right
Wespoke out plainly for impartial suffrage
before the war drew to its close. Because
we hold that it Is not merely a safe and
sound principle to rest che management Of
our public affairs on, but that it is the safest
and soundest, and genuinely democratic be-
sides IN spirit and theory
LIZ would be no such strange matter for the
south to adopt this principle, state by stats,
and apply 1t to their population impartially.
The negroes used to vote in Tennessee, upon
such qualifications for the suffrage as the
state saw proper TO impose; and John Bell
held his seat IN congress at one tine by the
aid OF the black vote that was thrown tor
him. Tennessee could easily adopt the plan
again, making suffrage subject to certain
simple conditions, which blacks and whites
were required equally to obey No discrimi-
nation is made between blacks and whites in
comes to be applied. Ali fare alike, and
none can approach the ballot-box who do not
possess the requisite qualification Of intelli
gence 10 begin with. IL is, we hold, sound
democratic principle; equal and just, yet
throwing around the ballot sufficient protec-
tion to maintain our institutions in safety.
This is not universal suffrage by any
means-'it is impartial suffrage. The former
theory would bore holes enough in the ship
of state to sink her very shortly the latter
mans her with a capable crew, and keeps
down mutiny where all hands have an equal
interest in the noble vessels safety.
No one now expects the southern states to
adopt the congressional amendment. The
action of the Georgia legislature forbids the
expectation, if it had ever been seriously in
dulged. Indeed, the radicals in congress
who passed the amendment, did not disguise
their belief that it would be rejected north
as well as south and Wendell Phillips de.
cared that they only passed it to tide over
the tall elections with the people of the
north. 1t was but an elactioneering trick
they offered 1t TO the south, knowing that 1t
would not be adopted, and calculating that
the reJection would furnish q coed pretext to
Keep the southern representatives out of
congress, and the southern vote out of the
electoral college in '6S.
The whole OBJ eot in view was to hold fast
bT she power they already had In tn cir hands.
Negro suffrage was but the pretenos and GOV,
or OF the entire scheme. 0ne section thus
rullng sne other, and the other section being
for another Presidential term at the mercv al
party which obtains votes not ~ maef,no
the issue but By hiding it bshind the cloud of
passion it is skilled in raising this controll-
ing radical party expects to 70 on getting
rich of of the necessities of others. and To
WELD government, which was established
in tbs principles of justice only. for nothing
but partisan and individual ends That is ali
the congressional amendment means, or ever
meant.
Now, we shink the southern states, having
no thought OF adopting this amendment un-
der dursss,-if that can in any true sense be
called adoption which is compulsory from be-
ginning to end,-can easily evade those con-
ditions of the radical leaders, and in doing
it adopt a suffrage principle which they will
find the best adapted to the changed indus.
trial condition of their society. If the PEG
pie of the south will hold conventions in the
several states, and alter their constitutions in
such q way as to give to every citizen. withc
out regard TO color or anything else, the right
to vote whenever he becomes intelligent
enough to read the constitution under which
he lives and labors they will take what
life there is out of this amendment at once,
deprive the radicals Of oil further pretexts