The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-27
TUESDAY, MARCH 27. 1866.
The True Issue OF the Campaign.

sylYania In October next is not a complex
one. 1t does not consist, as our opponents
are enGeavoring to make us believe, Of a
series of questions concerning the settlement
Of negro suffrage, support or defeat of Mr..
JOHNSON, conhscation, and negro equality
All these are mere side issues, thrown out by
the Democracy for the purpose of binding
the eyes and directing the attention from the
vital question on which the campaign hangs.
That question is whether the Rebel popula-
ton, with their hands yet red with blood,
and their souls yet bitter against our nation,
shall be Immediately entitled to participation
in the government of that land whose ruin
they still desire, or whether wisdom and
safety do not dictate that the Southern
people be kept, at least for the present, outside
of our legislative halls. This is really what
the people are to decide. If it can be shown
that history and common sense recommend
the immediate placing in the hands of traitors
of the weapons which they still desire to
plunge into the national heart; If it can be
proved that ever in the past the instantaneous
forgiveness and reinstatement in rank Of un-
repentant rebels has been OF advantage to the
Government thus casting their crimes into
oblivion, then policy would dictate that the
good citizens of our State should support
the Democratic nominee. Ii. however, on
the other hand, reason and experience advise
us that, whenever traitors in arms, and openly
and avOwedly unrepentant, have been ad-
mitted into the citadel, destruction to 10y
atty has resulted, then we demand the suf-
frages of all true Americans.
1t is not true, as the Democracy have
asserted, that the Republican party desire to
hold the late Robel States in condition OF
yasallage or inferiority. 1t is only so long as
those States maintain their arrogance and de-
fend their unlawful actions, that we would
have them held in state of probation. And
in so doing we violate no law, nor perform
any act Of injustice, but merely follow the
course dictated by common sense. The
moment the South has shown regret for its
action, and gives us promise OF reformation
Tor the future, and eternal loyalty, at that
moment those who are now opposing the
opening OF the doors OF Congress would
hasten to welcome the prodigal brothers.
And that we do not Immediately assent to
the admission OF their representatives, is no
evidence Of the desire of the Northern people
to act uIjustly to the South. We are told
that taxation without representation is
tyranny" Granted. But when a citizen is
guilty of some heinous crime, does not that
Offense disfranchse him? Is he not deprivedo of
representation? Yet, should he be possessed
of property, his loss Of suffrage would not
in this taxing without allowing the payer to
be represented, we are not aware Of having
violated any OF the received maxims OF poll
tical justice, but only conform to custom
transmitted to us from time immemoral.
The criminal, by his own act, has lost his right
to vote as he has his right of freedom; and
until pardoned by the authorities, this crimi-
nal continues to be taxed and unrepresented
yet this affords no evidence of the violation
OF an old and cherished doctrine.
If the right of suffrage is forfeited by an
individual by the commission OF a capital
crime, does it not follow that so great an
offense as treason should work forfeiture OF a
right which is lost by an act against an indi-
vidualP If for the murder of q fellow being a
citizen loses his vote; surely an attack upon
the life of the nation precludes the traitor from
the exercise OF suffrage. We therefore see no
injustice, no inconsistency with the principle
for which we fought in 1776. The whole
Southern people have committed heinous
crime. By their act they have forfeited the
right of representation until they be pardoned.
AS by their own deed and free will they lost
that privilege, and as it was no fault OF the
United States that they we're guilty of such
ofenses, surely the nation ought not to suffer
because Of the exemption OF traitors property
from the terms to which the possessions of
loyal citizens are subjected. Therefore, so long
as the South remains wilfHl and defiant so
long will the people OF the North refuse to
receive with open arms unrepentant traitors,
and no cry OF the sYmpathizers about ''no
representation" win prevent the levyine Of
just taxes for the support of the nation. AS
it is not inconsistent with precedent or Justice
to hold these Rebels in state of probation.
therefore such of our citizens as believe that
the safety OF the nation demands that thew be
so held, will support that party whose doc
trine is to recompense loyalty and punish
treason.
The cry Of negro suffrage" is device OF
the enemy. The question to be settled is not
negro suffrage. When the day comes that it
shall be presented before the people, then we
will fairly and openly meet the issue, and