New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-27
COLORADO.

Governor Csmmings % seuetsr suusser-
| The Negro Suffrage Quesiisn-Ae'isu
| OF the Lesisiasurs-Petisisn or Csisred
| Citizens-Ths susjees Considered.
WASHINGTON. Friday. Jan. 26. 1866.
The following telegram has just been received
here by Senator Sumner Of Massachusetts,
DENVER CIT. Colorado Territory. Jan. Is. 1866
TO ne Hon CHARLES SUMNER, Washinsioni
The Legislature Of Colorado. at Its first session In
1861. passed law establishing the qualification OF
voters making distinction on account OF color or
race; but the session OF 1854 passed law deprivns
negroes and mnlattoes Of tie right 70 vote.
SoSrad citizen; have pst'iSSned GSs CuT nssi.s
ture. now In session. no the subject.
Alter stating the facts. the Governor says:
II Incredible and II 1t we're not for the record
II would be Incredible, that such measure could have
been adopted at such time.
The colored people at that moment everywhere
eagerly pressing forward to the support Of the Govern
ment and their services were gladly accepted. They
contributed larPy TO the triumph OF the nation over
couDtrys history, when they were doing their utmost
10 rescue tie Government from It's imminent danger,
this wrong was perpetrated upon them.
Is fact worthy Of notice that this was the only
case In the whole nation where the public sentiment
refrigerated during our fearful struggle.
This petition In the handwriting Of one OF Its sig,ers
eyinces en- ability endorse ntellgeDty the night of
suffrage, which |, would DO well all who enjoy that
invoke your earnest attention to the subject. and
hope, for the honor Of the Territory that you WIN
promptly take action to erase this odious record from
the statute book.
In connection with thls subject deem Il proper to
say, also that the Legislative Assembly owes 10 the
enlightened sentiment OF tie country TO take into con-
sideraton the condition Of the colored peops with re-
gard TO public schools. ma
Under the law OF 1861 offering them equal political
privileges with others they here In considerable
numbers and TO equal II not greater extent than
any other class Of immigrants. They brought their
families and have kept them here. The evidences Of
their industry ugalty and thrift are seen 10 various
parts OF Denver Of the finest property OF the town
belonging to them. They are subject 70 the tax ad
for the support Of the public schools whiie ths Gull
dren are not ermiited to attend them. . "
In consequence OF their exclusion from DOTH pnohc
and private schools some Of these people have been
compelled to send their children to the Eastern Ststes
TO be educated. while paying taxes for edueaton ID
that territory Bot all not able to incur THIS e1
pense and as q necessary consequence many OF their
children must grow up in ignorance
This but Que II the FORMS or at least one Oh tne
features of the accursed spirit OF Slavery nom whose
thraldom the nation has just emerged, py Wmcn tns
children of our race are educated at the expense Of
| another -, -,
do not in this connection discuss the question Of
equality OF race about which 30 many words ana mucn
labor have been wasted, but 1 submit Wi,nout sisus
various parts Of the Territory are taxed 10 pay Ior
educating white children while their own chioren are
excluded from the public schools. aud your action WIZ
determine how long this Illuminating spectacle snaii DC
In tce TO the living end gratitude TO those who died
thar the nation might forbid that the state OF things
against which these petitioners protest should longer
prevail. ,,, - ..u.,o, %
For the rest the responsibility Is with You
ALEXANDER CUMMINGS.
Governor VI Colorado Territory.