Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-02-23
Negro Suffrage.

NNStU DuufOSsts
a short time ago Mr.. Thaddcus Stevens,
in his place in Congress, referred to some
expression of opinion By the President, that
had been published by the papers, and de-
clarcd the President was gciliy of u usurpa-
ton such as, two hundred years ago, would
have cost n British King his head. The
President docs not seem much alarmed by
the violence Of this Congressional Thersiies.
and, as occasion comes, appears to think
and act as it the Constitution guaranteed
to him some rights thata White man is
bound to respect. To the delegation from
Montana he intimates his determination to
do all in his power for the peaceful rcstora-
iion Of the country; success in which he
declares will fill the measure of his ambi.
tion to oycinowing. Their. If any one
thinks his office very desirable, he is ready
TO make the best bow at his command aud
to retire. He has no plans and favors no
organization that contcmplaies his re elec-
lion, aud is content day BY day TO do what
presents itself MS his duty. according to the
I lighthe has to guide him.
Aenin, when Fred. Douglass and his
colorcd n ssoca;es present themselves. the
President is equally explicit lie thinks
ihe colorcd race have had a vast benefit
conferred upon thcm in the abolition of
slavery, aud that il is a wrong to white and
black to force upon unwilling communities
the exercise OF suffrage by tho negro
These are his opinions, aud il is for such
opinions he is denounced rs a usurpcr and
pointed to the block on which Charles the
First lost his head There is something
7 touching in the words of this man. who
has borne outrage and insult, incurred loss
of property, aud rskcd life and limb for
the Republic, when he says he does not like
TO be araigncd by men who can turn ncatly
rounded sentences aud braudish the harm.
less Weapons of rhetoric, but who have
never iiskcd their estates or persons in the
cause Of the country.
1t is difficult TO suppose that a practical
and common sense people will allow them
sci, es to be influenced By such leader as
Thaddeus Stevens. lie has reached an agc
when most of the passions that disturb the
human mind a,e cooled by the influence of
time and experience; and when, il ever, n
large knowledge of men aud affairs has
I
~. But he is in his scycnticth year, as
saw ge, relentless. uncharitahlc aud insult.
ing as il his amablo nature was boiling
with the heated blood of youth. lie tears
aud tramples upon all that come in his
path-his fellow members and the presi.
dent have no claims upon his courtesy or
respect While dcnouncng usurpution,
he is the impcrsonaiion Of that crime aud
in his language, as he probably would do
in fact, is he had the power, lie consiens
the victims of his abuse to the hcadsman,
and TO he'll, with the easy assurance of
dispenser of fate. To him, rs there arc no
couriesics in life. so there arc no conditions
in society that should mitigate or delay the
application Of principles that he processes
to believe are abstmcily just. II is ab-
stractly true that mans color should make
no difference in his place in society. This
is only the affirmation Of an absolute, Gle
mcutary truth. Then, says Mr. Stevens,
let the negro vote. Let him vote at once.
Secure hin his rights by provisions of law
aud constitution. Are We TO wait until
men overcome their prcjudiccsY And this
is the guide and leader of great nation
at the most pcrious period of their history
This is the Moses who is TO bring us into
the land Of promise
Uulcss we mistake all the signs Of the
times, this violent cffoit TO enffuuchisc the
negro is utterly disiasiclul to the Amcr-
can people They have condemned sla.
worry. They will secure to the col red man
the protection of the law. aud access to
the courts of justice. These arc great
steps. That the future is full Of promise
for the negro, VIC do most earnestly believe
We hate, with unspcakabc hatred, that in.
finite mcanness which dsparagcs his race,
and denies 10 them future advancement
aud elevation. THERE'S no language strong
enough 20 condemn as it deserves that ar.
rognnce which, while it shuts the door TO
tho ncgfos improvement, afhrms that he
is incapable of Il. 80 wo rejoice at his
freedom, We rejoice that he is in some
courts allowed TO testify; aud shall rejoice
when he il permitted to all. We are for
the repeal Of the disabling acts against him
that exist 10 ludiana, Open the sclools
TO HIM Give bim tho chances Of fair
field. But when good Il TO bo done VIC are
willing 10 do II IN ihosc ways that atc pos.
siblo sud nccc-sibc aud have no relish for
heating out our bruins ngninst the locomo-
tive Of public opinion. We take The com.
munlty In which we livc--wo take tho State
Of lndiHna--nnd consider whit !. tho pros.
pect for cnIpnelising ihoncgro here Are
tho people prepared 10 say tho negro shall
vote with up Are they prepared to say
aud tho QUO I. the natural corallary Of the