Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-02-02
Congressional.
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION
SPEECH OF MR.. BOUTWELL, OF MASS.
liz Hnnsr nF Rrp's IAN 10

SPEECH oFMR. BOUTWELL, OF MASS.
Tx HoUsE or REP's, JAN. 10.
Mr. Speaker, it is only recently that en-
tertained the purpose TO speak at all upon
this bill, and it was my expectation TO avail
myself Of the kindness Of the chairman Of the
Judiciary Committee to divide with him the
time allotted to him by the rules Of the House ;
but l accept the opportunity now presented
Of speaking before the previous question is
demanded, 10 state certain views | entertain
on this subject
/ | may say, in the beginning, that l am OPP
posed to all diatory motions upon this bill.
| am opposed TO the instructions moved by
the gentleman from New York, Mr.. Hale,
because | see in them no advantage to any
body, and apprehend from their adoption
much evil in the country. Ii should be borne
10 mind that when we emancipAted the black
/ people we not only relieved ourselves from
the institution Of slavery, we not only con-
ferred upon them freedom, but we did more,
we recognized their manhood, which, by the
old Constitution and the general policy and
usage of the country, had been, from the or
ganizauion Of the Government until the eman-
cipation proclamation, denied to all the en-
slaved colored people, As a consequence Of
the rec gniton Of their manhood, certain re-
suits follow in accordance with the principles
Of this Government, and they who believe in
this Government are, by necessity, forced to
accept those results as a consequence Of the
policy o emancipation which they have inau-
gursted and for which they are responsible.
But to say now, having given freedom to
them, tina. they shall not enjoy the essential
/ and nrfvflauaa of - 70 oh
the principle Of the proclamation of euanci-
patton, aud tactly to admit that the whole
emancipation policy is erroneus..
1t has been suggested that it is premature
to demand immediate action upon the quest
ion Of negro suffrage in the District Of Co.
lumbia. | am not personally responsible for
the presence Of the bill at the present time,
but am res ponsible for the observation that
there never has been day during session
OF Congress since the emancipation proolsma-
tion, ay, since the negroes Of this District
we're emanc pated, when it was not the duty
of the Government, which by the Constitution
is intrusted with exclusive jurisdiction in this
District, to confer upon the men Of this Dis
trict. without distinction OF race or color, the
rights and privileges Of men. And, therefore,
there can be nothing premature in this meas
ure, and | cannot see how any one who sup
ports the proclamation Of emancipation, which
is recognition of the manhood Of the whole
colored people OF this country, can hesitate as
to his duty and while make no suggestion
as to the duty Of other men, have clear
perception of my own. And, first, we are
bound to treat the colored people in this Dis
trict in regard to the matter ofvoting precise
ly We treat white people. And | do not
hesitate to express the opinion that if the
question here to-day were whether any quali-
festion should be imposed upon white voters.
in this District, If they alone were concerned,
this House would not, ay, not ten men upon
this floor would, consider whether any quail
fcstions should be imposed or not.
What are the qualifications suggested
They are three. First and most attractive,
service in the Army or Navy Of the United
States. shall have occasion to say il | dis
cuss, | hope TO do, the nature and origin
Of the right Of voting, that there is not the
least possible connection between service in
the Army and Navy and the exercise Of the
elective franchise none whatever These
men have performed service, and | am for
dealing Justly with them because they have
performed service. But am more anxious
TO dea Justly by them because they are men.
And when it is remembered that for months
and almost for years after the opening of the
rebsllion we refused to accept the services of
colored pers ons in the armies Of the country,
it is with an i'll grace that we now decline to
allow the vote of any man because he mas not
performed that service
The second is the property qualification
| hope it is not necessary in this day and
this hour Of the Republic to argue anywhere
that d property qualification is not only un-
st in ITSELF but that it is odius to the people
of this country to degree which cannot be
expressed. Everywhere, believe, for half
century, it has been repudated by the peo-
pie. Does anybody contemplate such quail
hcauon to the exercise of the elective franchise
in the case Of black people or white?
And next, reading and writing, OF reading,
as qualification is demanded, and an appeal
is made to the example Of Massachusetts.
wish gentlemen who now appeal to Massa-
chusetts would often appeal TO her in other
matters where | can more conscientiously Hp-
prove her policy. But it is different propo-
sltion in Massachusetts as practical measure.
When, ten years ago, this qualification was
imposed upon the people Of Massachusetts, 1t
excluded no person who was then a voter
For two centuries we have had in Massachu-
setts a system of public instruction open to
the children of the whole people without
money aud without price, Therefore all the
people there had opportunities for education.
Now, why should the example Of such State
be quoted to justify refusing suffrage to men
who have been denied the privilege Of ednca-
tion, and whom it has been a crime to teach
Is there no difference
| suppose it will happen, even if you pass
this reading amendment, that between any
two annual elections, any negro twenty-one
years OF age in this city, or who may corue
here, will acquire the ability read. The
requirement will not exclude many men. My
objection is, not that in this District it will
exclude great number from the exercise of
the elective franchise, but do object to it as
matter of principle. The right to vote is "a
higher and better right than can be derived
from the simple fact that man can read.
have often elsewhere endeay ured to trace
the origin and nature Of the right to vote. |
believe that during this discussion the views
/ entertain have not been stated and there
fore, with such brevity as can command,
will venture to state the opinion entertain
Of the nature and proper limi miations OF the
elective franchise. And while it may not be