The evening Argus., 1866-11-20
CONVE RSION.

Meeting g. good democratic friend, the
other morning he said "Well, hear there
was two coysrsions, last night, to negro suf-
frags-ths Chicago Times and the Rock
sland Argus." We admitted the rumor TO
De true, as far as we were concerned. This
is, we are told, free country, and every
man has right to his own opinions, and q
right 10 express them. too: and whether any
one agrees with US or not. that fact alone
will make no sort of difference in regard to
our convictions. The organ of the republican
party, published In this city, will not agree
with us, of course, for it denies that the re-
publican party is in favor of negro suffrage
Republicans generally, in this region, deny
thss they are in favor of negro suffrage, and
of course they won't agree with u.s. In this
respect, we are in advance of ofthem-bus they
and most ether people, admit that the color
ed people OF this country ought to have some
voice In choosing the men who shall make
laws for their government. II is better to.
come to the point at once, and have the ques-
tion settled and out of politics.
We are in favor of it, frat because it is
Just and right that taxation and representa-
tion should 60 together and second, because
it will put and end to negro politics-and an
end to the radical party at the same time,-
We have seen the democratic party commit
several mistakes, in our day-but none more
fatal than to oppose the popular idea that
the colored man has no interest in this coun-
try, except to work, be taxed and punished
For years past democrats have suffered them
selves to be led into false positions upon this
subject, and have gone on, struggling against
popular opinion, and failed to attract to the
party that power and prestige which, in q
general way, compared with other parties,
their principles entitled them to. we have,
like thousands of others ,acquiesced and work
ed tor the success of the party, because we
believed Its success would be of mere real
benefit to the country than the success Of its
opponents. Still the popular Jefferson,an
idea of equal and exact justice to all men of
every race, creed or color, grew and gained
strength among the people,-and though
the democratic party carrisd out this idea
faithfully as to the white races. it has not. of
iase, uui1c uoHc Juslict TO th6 negro. We
have always contended, in public speeches
and in our paper, thatshe negro was a human
being, an accountable being, and, like our
selves, destined 30 future state of rewards
and punishments; that he was the inferior
of the white man and entitled to the proseo.
tion of the stronger and more intellectual
race, that, bo mental and morally he need
cd the good advice and good example of his
supsriors. and should be afforded oil proper
means for self improvement. And now, we
believe, is the proper time for the democracy
to come forward and repair any fault o,
neglect they have may been guilty Of, and be-
come the protector and friend of the colored
race as well as of all other races. Il is the
hsighth of absurdity to talk of democracy
and still try to keep any race of people in
subeotion. True democracy teaches that al
people, everywhere, no matter Of what race
or color, should bs permitted to occupy what
evor position their moral and intellectual
faculties fit them for. Give all fair chance
in he race Of fimprovsment. The white racs
runs no risk of being outstrippsd in that
race The negroes, az q raoe, are onlysimita-