Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-12-14


opposed 70 the Democracy, BY whatever
name that la.ty may have be,n called, I'D
vocatcd the principle Of impartial sutfragc.
The present radical party, party which
aims nj the Capitalization rather than the
ropuiariza,icr OF the government. has not
done it; but, on the contrary, has taken
great pains 10 be understood as standing in
an attitude of opposition TO impartial SUN
frsge. II Is doing this very thing now
What is called the ''conyrcssicnai plan
does not embrace this all >uportant princi-
pic. II does not base nor attempt 70 base
representation ON taxation, but on the other
hand expressly provides chat q large boay
of people may be excluded rom e.c" .ne
basis OF representation, notwithstanding
that they shaii be made 70 pay saxee. =,
II 10 sherein snti-dcno cratic. us IN o.
recs antagonism to the traditions Of Dsmoc
racy but entirely consistent Win the. ceo>
trsiiza,ion theories Of ancient Sedefemsm, 70
which theories the present RADICAL party
has succeeded BY . direct line OF 'nnef't'
ancc.
On the other hand, it is seen that the Dem
ocratic party in tunes past hes stood !"
uositiye attitude upon this genuine Demos
cratic principle. Tho attitude 10 forcioiy
illustrated b. tho history Of that party in
the State OF New York, and especially IN
the constitutional Convention OF that state
in ls2l-in the midst Of the Missouri agita-
ton. Suffrage in that State, as IN I'll others
depended originally upon property con.
sidera,ion, applicable impartiAlly to men OF
all sorts. The form Of government wes per-
haps less Democratic than in any other Of
the original States. Comparatively few Of
flccn were elective, and immense power
and patronage were centralized ia the
hands Of few men. The Democracy sought
1 change; the Federslists, naturally opposed
any change. Al length, the Democracy
gaming sufficient strength in the Legislature
The question Of Constitutional Convention
w.s submitted 10 the people and affirmed BY
an immense majority. Having . majority
Of the convention, the Democracy, against
. united Federslist opposition, abolished
the property qualification as TO white men.
but y sufficient number Of doubling Thorn
ascs voted with the Fcderalists TO prevent
its abolition - to black mem The prioci
pie, however, was not lost. TAXATION ~ Z
basis Of suffrage Was still retained, and to
compensate for the property qualification Of
! the negroes, which Was no longer required
" WHttcss TIC toitV"u8 CssuSc 80 s"eOs seN
| in tilc Constitution Of New York, and 70
Mains There tow, 70 ss's 3 Ssy s;or .aou b .~see
10 direct fdration, unless he shall be seissd
and possessed Of such real estate AZ Gtore
SAID.
Thus was the principal Of ''no nxatior
without representation" reafiismed hy th'
| Democracy in the great State Of New York
impartial suffrage was still conteuded for b.
the great body Of the party in that State
and was only partially overcome by aeees
sions to the Fcdcralist opposition but IL
lieu thereof il was provided tnat no maj
who did not have the right 10 vote SHOULD
10 liable to pay taxes. In the State Of New
York, TO this day, the property ofnegroes
under the amount Of &250-the amour
which qualities them to votc-is exemp
from taxation. Aud this fundamental : vi
was made by the Democratic party, eve
after tho anti. slavery agitation had bcc0m
a disturbing element IN politics.
The history Of that party in other State
might also be cited to show that ito iOrme
advocacy Of this great principle was an &C
two advocacy, ~sa mot mere passive oo'
In one Of the new States, tho qualification
of suffrage prescribed by democratic con
situtionaf convention are such as forcihl
illustrate the absurdity Of different rule
In Minnesota, persons Of Indian blood VIII
have adopted the language, customs an
habits Of civilization are admitted to ii
right of suffrage Certainly, Indians q
not .'whitc men" Why admit them N
moro than persons Of negro blood who ha,
adopted 1.-THE language, customs and habi
Of civilization" This clause in tho Const
tuition of Minnesota was m,dc ground
opposition to her admission by northcI
: opponents OF the democracy, and by one
two southern democrats-cspecially by NJ
| A. q, Brown, Of Mississippi. But it ",
i supported by majority OF the democrat
party. For II WAS urged that Indians l,Ah
TO he taxed arc counted in the basis Of re
: rcsentaiion, anu therefore that it VAS III
y democratic u exclude them from the elccti
. franchise. This il true democratic doctrin
- Negroes also are included in tho basis
' representation, not any longer "a propert
: but each individual African, 40 the full u
and not - . vulgar fract,on Of . man.
Being included in the basis of represent
y ton, they have, under the democratic d.
70 trine. the right to voice in the selection
representatives TO be chosen upon that bss
L Negroes. also, as other free men, are subj,
II to taxation. They are thereby made int
tai members Of the community, or State. a
y have right. upon the democratic basis
: affirmed in all but ono Of the original Stat
Q to voice in tho government Of tho State.
J. lf excluded from this right, in whole or
!, part. the democratic doctrine, ~ laid do,
u in New York, il that such whole or ~
n part ought to be exempt from taxation.
- II is thus seen that tho doctrine Of imp
: tial suffrage is ono Of the earliest and m,
y essential doctrines Of democracy. Il il I
{. atlirmatioh Of the right Of every man who
ns made pArtater Of the burdens Of the Sta
10 TO he represented by his own consent.
~ vote, in its government. II 10 the III
! principle upon which oil true republic
government rests. Il 10 the bssis up
"a which tho liberties Of America will be pi
= served, il they are preserved at oil.
= The democratic party must returs fre
e its drifting, and stand upon the ixnovAs
= scck OF rRixcirLs.-Chicago Times.