Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-10
MASSACHUSETTS,.
The Jacobin Polioy-State Gov
eminent of the South to be
Abrogated.
Negro Suffrage to be Enforced
The President to be Impeached.

BosToN, November s.-Hon. George
S. Boutwell, delivered lecture in Music
Hall, on political matters, taking for
his subject policy and justice in public
affairs" The first portion of his address
was given up to noting of instances in
this country, and in the old world, Of
policy in government regardless Of JUS
tice, and injustice and fatal results at.
tending its use From these experiences
he thought that he should resolve that
this government should not be recon
structed except on basis of absolute
justice.
In the work of reconstruction he ar
gued that there are four classes of people
to be considered as the loyal people Of
the North, the rebels Of the South, and
loyal whites and blacks of that section Of
our country. The constitutional amend.
ments which have been proposed by
Congress, protect the loyal people of the
North, in reference to the equality there
provided for, in representation, and the
security of the national debt and exclu-
sion Of the rebel debt
In speaking of the rights of the black
people, which must be considered in the
matter of reconstruction, Mr.. Boutwell,
said that the pivot upon which the policy
of justice must turn hereafter, is the right
of the negro to vote. That must be de-
manded in the South. Peace can only
be brought about by the extension of the
elective franchise. Without suffrage
there will be nothing but war and trouble.
White men of the South are banded
together in secret organizations against
colored people. There are two bitter enc
mics in the South-the whites and the
blacks-ready to rush upon each other
Collisions and serious outbreaks are to
be avoided only by extension of the cleo.
tive franchise to the black masses. This
extension of the franchise will at once
divide the public sentiment and force Of
the South.
We must also make these men citizens
for commercial reasons. All the inte-
rests of business is centered in freedmen
and the elevation of this people
Coming next to discussion Of policy,
which the fortieth Congress should adopt,
Mr. Boutwell, said two great ends must
be brought about; First, universal suf-
frage. One way of obtaining this was
by holding the States as they now are
until by their own motion they do JUS
tice to the colored people.
Congress may abolish the governments
Of these States and establish territorial
governments, and declare who shall and
who shall not vote.
This is most likely the result to which
the action of Congress now tends. The
destruction Of these false governments
and he formation ef constitutional gov
ernments.
The next object to be accomplished
was the punishment of the President if
he should be found guilty Of unconstitu-
tional acts. If he was guilty Of uncon-
stitutional acts, if he was guilty of vio-
lating any Of the laws Of the land, the
lecturer argued that he should be ar
raigned.
For the purpose of showing that the
President had violated existing laws, and
that there were charges against him of
grave foundations, Mr.. Boutwell, cited
two instances We know he has said
that he has appointed men TO office
who can not take the oath of July,
1862, because they have aided and
comforted the enemy and again that he
also appointed men TO Office who, at the
last session Of Congress, were rejected by
that body when offered for the very same
Offices in which he had placed them, and
the law says that the appointments of
the Executive must have the consent OF
the Senate.
Mr.. Boutwell,, in his conclusion, pre-
dicted that if the Republican party did
notissue universal suffrage before 1868,
it would fall out Of sight.