The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-10-10
M. Raymond on negro ssafase.

-lWIs no 14kOAAsA IN 4sO8 ~ SMHI0SCs
It is well known that Mr.. Raymond, the
Editor Of the New York Times, is the author
of the address and resolutions of the Phila-
delphia Convention. tits also we'll known
that Mr.. Raymond voted in Congress for the
Howard amendment. Mr.. Raymond is the
Acknowledged Louder Of the Worth party in
this State. And yet this same Mr.. Raymond
is vehemently urging the Southern States to
accept the Howard amendment, and in his
last issue he takes ground as follows for ne
gro suffrage. He admits that there is moth
ing in the Howard amendment which ohlig-
es the States to adopt negro suffrage, but be
thinks the day is not distant when the South
ern States will adopt it of their own accord.
What will those papers that have been
charging us with g completely" on this ques-
ton with Mr. Stevens, say to this advocacy
of negro suffrage by their file-leader, Mr..
Raymond?
1--WE hold, in common with the Journal,
that the suffrage question belongs exclusive
ly to the States, and that Congress has no
right to compel any State to allow negroes,
aliens, or any other class of its inhabitants,
to vote. This is among the powers express
ly reserved to the States by the Constitution;
and if that instrument is still the supreme
law of the land, Congress has no right to
override or override this provision. The suf-
frage question must be left to State regu-
lation.
Our own opinion is that the Southern
States, if left to the free operation of the in
fuences which always control political re-
suits, will themselves extend the suffrage to
their colored population. It will become
their interest to do so-indeed it will very
speedily become necessary to their peace and
to the preservation of those friendly relations
between the two races upon which the well
fare of both must hereafter depend. While
slavery existed, peace was maintained by
force. The negroes had no rights, no place
in Southern society, no consideration or in
fluence whatever. This is all changed. They
are no longer chattels-they are persons
They have rights, and those rights must and
will be recognized and protected. They
have all the rights of free men-the right to
sue and be sued-the right to earn and re-
ceive wages, to make contracts, to hold
real estate, to hold meetings, to discuss pub
lie questions, to bear arms, to petition for a
redress of grievances. The enjoyment and
exercise of these rights gives them power
makes them important elements of civil and
political society and just as fast as they
become qualified for the exercise of political
power, they will find or force their admission
| to it.
The extirpation of slavery has struck a
death-blow at the mere prejudice, based on
race or color, which has hitherto excluded
the negro from political and civil rights. 1t
may not die instantly, but it will very spec
| Oily lose its commanding power, and yield
like all other mere prejudices, to the force OF
reason and the enlightened and liberal spirit
of the age. The colored race may not be at
once admitted to the right of suffrage, but it
will not be, as it has been hitherto, solely or
mainly on account of its race or color, but
because slavery, and the prejudices which
had their root in slavery, have deprived that
race of the means and opportunities of be-
coming qualified for the exercise of political
power When that obstacle is removed, its
admission will be prompt and easy"