Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-15

eStaDllSnlng their permanent resi- t
dence here are required to remain G
FIVE years and then to go through an
established process of naturalization
before they are allowed the privilege
of voting. Yet we all know that
many females are far better qualified
to vote intelligently and wiser than
many men who are allowed to vote;
and the same is true of many males
under twenty-one, and of foreigners
who have not resided here for the
period of five years. The truth IS
that the whole system of suffrage OF
any republican State is wholly artl-
fetal, founded upon it's own ideas OF
the number and class of persons who
will best represent the wishes and
interests of the whole people. The
right of suffrage is not given to
particular class because they have
any greater interest in the Govern
ment, or because they have any more
natural right to it than others, nor to
exercise it for themselves and in their
own behalf, but is given to them as
fair and proper opponents Of the will
and interests of the whole community,
and to be exercised for the benefit
and in the interests Of the whole.
/ The theory is that the fathers, has
bands, brothers, and sons to whom
, the right Of suffrage is given will in
its exercise be as watchful of the
} rights and interests Of their wives,
sisters, and children who do not vote
as of their own. While the rules of
: suffrage are different in the different
2 States, the plan Of basing representa-
/, ton in the national Legislature upon
r the number of voters in each would
4 be manifestly unjust; it might with
S the same propriety be based upon the
q number Of members in the Legislature
t of each State. But if the rules OF
# suffrage were the same in all the
q States, the adoption ofsuch rule for
S national representation would be
F; manifestly unjust. The Union con
a tains many very recently settled
o States, and by reason of the great eX
e tent of unsettled country all still
d have, such must be the case for many
n wears to come. These new States tC
great extent are settled by emigra
e ton from the older States, and it ha;
lie been and will ever continue the cast
at that a much larger proportion of thi!
re emigration are males, The conse
If quence is that the newly settled States
at contain a very much larger proportion
Sc of males than the older States, ant
tn therefore a much larger ratio o
al voters.
re Can it be justly claimed that 6v
or thousand people in Nevada or Colo
We RADIO should have the same voice i
al the Government as twenty thousan
rs people in Massachusetts or New 9orl
lc- even though the number of male
re- above wenty-one were the same i
each? [ have said more than wa
in necessary upon this particular point
Sc, BY the existing Constitution tn
he States holding slaves, in addition
tu their other population, were entitle
tie to have three fifths Of their slave
-Or counted in aScertaining their shar
re, of representation. BY the. ament
ur- ment of the Constitution abolishin
-er slavery, which was really one of tt
ON results of the war, this entire mass
irS slave population, counting by million
ate were made free, and as the Constit
es- ton stands the states where SLAYER
eX- existed would now be entitled to hay
for the remaining two fifths added
in their numbers for representation, {
ion though no one Of them all, is above
ent to vote.
by This very fact, it seems to N
nd furnishes a very sufficient reason #
elf a readiustment of representatiC
as among the States, and an answer
onS the often repeated question, WI
amend the Constitution at all? Wi
no no amendment on this subject the la
ess slave States come into the low
ion House of Congress with a much larg
csc representation than ever before.
m it safe to do this, is it just to t
be loyal portion of the nation who ha
the borne such immense burdens to mai
tain its existence? If not, | hold ,
, to are not bound to encounter any su
md peril. For a long period Of yea
ees, sectional hatred toward the Nor
the had been cultivated in the South
les consequence of our dislike and &C
the demnation Of their wicked and an
eed republican system of human SLAYER
no This feeling was excited and foment
7 Of by the arts of ambitious and desie
ent ing men till it broke out in gigan
ing rebellion for the purpose of separ;
lite ing from US, and forming separa
the government for themselves-the me
his terrible and bloody civil war t
isis world has ever seen, lasting for 70
the years; characterized by almost
ers Vulnerable instances of cruel a.
dis barbarous hate on the part of the
am surgent States. Wetinally succeed
ted in putting down the rebellion ovt
isis throwing the government they had s
be up and adding the modification
pom total defeat of their cause to The
dis other reasons for hating US and d
led liking our Government. These pc
my Pile have submitted to the nation
isis Government because they have be
one compelled by force to do so.
But have we any evidence that jus
ent. fies the belief that they are now rea,
,tly to yield willing allegiance to. the &c
till eminent and obedience to it's law
e of All the mass of evidence taken by t
the reconstruction committee, the to
ity, and sentiment of the almost emit
on southern press, the information deriv
hey from private sources, concur in sho
l. Il