The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-03-08

wrong done to the body polite and should be treat
ed accordingly.
To quote the language of a celebrated writer 'the
idea OF rights should be fundamental and supreme
in civil institutions. Government becomes a nui-
sance and scourge in proportion as it sacrifices
these to the many or the few
Liberty and popular institutions are not one and
the same they may be Numerically opposite IN
as far it disregards trampes on the rights of
many or of one, it is despotism The SOVEREIGN
power, whether welded by single hand or by sew
eral hands, whether by king or a congress- which
despoils one human being OF the mmunities and
privileges bestowed on him by God, is far tyr
amy y
Another pretext for the disregard or sacrifice OF
individual rights is, that may often become neces-
essary or means of promoting the public good. To
this reply that there can be public good which
must rest on injustice its foundation The great
est public good of which we know, is equal justice
and full protection to all who compose the cOmmu-
/ nifty. Agriculture may prosper; commerce NAV
prosper arts and manufactures may prosper; but
what is all this in community where the God given
rights of men are at the mercy Of and trampled
upon by those in power. What were all these in
that fearful day of reckoning through which our ma
tion has Just passed, for its violation of fundamental
principles and its sins of oppression and injustice
A sentiment OF the inyiolabe sacredness of human
rights, alpervading ever active and vigilant I'M
swerylng and uncompromlslng, is greater public
good far more important element Of public security
and prosperity than has yet been dreamed of in
our political philosophy. And the sooner we aban-
don ideas of security success as state or nation
| Oh any Olu6F SIOuuu Ille DcIler.
| Public virtue and safety are forever incom-
paube with disregard Oh human rights-the equal
rights Of al men before the aw-the rights of indi-
| native or adOpted-black or white.
| So muchfor the general argument
Now Tor the particular objection usually urged
against the acknowledgements OF the coored people.
l. They are an inferior race: Granted, and what
then! rights are predicaed humanity, not on SUI
perorty OF size strength intellect or race Rights
grow out of manhood. Given faculty, and there is
| right To use that faculty If colored men are hu.
man beings, with all the faculties and attributes OF
human bengs-emotons, suscephbIities, passions
reason, conscience, will and immortal naures-theI
they have all the rights OF human beings, and to de
ny them these rights is to deny them humanity Il
| by oppression, want of opportunity advantages
they are inferior, so much stronger is the obligation
OF the superior race to accord TO them those rights
by which they improve their condition, and pro
tect and help themselves. But whatever may be the
general fact to the infeoriy of the col0red race
1t is not fact regards the coOred people OF this
otdte Tor they are certainly equal to the average
to their enterprise, thrift and intelligence, noTWth
standing all the disabilities underwhch they labor
SO that this objection has no legitimate application
as against impartial suffrage in Wisconsin. -.
2 1t would tend to obllterate natural distinctions
and to promote equality That it would have the
effect to elevate and dignity the class Of population
III question, viii not be contradicted. This, indeed
is OF the Chief arguments i'll its favor But while
it throws down political distinctions, by giving al
men, without regard to color perfect equality before
the law, It can never disturb natural distinctions
nor equalize social relations. These matters be
yond the reach and control of the ballot. The natu
raj distinctions OF the races it may be noted is much
better preserved in communities where the persona
and political rights OF the colored men are recogeiz
ed and projected, than i'll communities where an OPP
posie policy prevails. Massachusetts and Soutt
| Carolina furnish the evidence
| 3. 1t would make the coored men eligible tC
Office, This is true but with vast prepondeTance
| OF white voters governed by the common prejudice
Of caste this eligibility may not be considered alarm
| ing. Through nothing but the most extreordinary
merit could the colored man find his way to official
position even the lowest grade and in such circum
stances, should cOored citizen be elected to office
we cannot believe the dignity safety of the state
would be seriously compromised or endangered b!
the event.
| 4. 1t would draw immigration to the state. The
bestowal of this right has not had this effect in 9th
er states. In New England, where save in Con
necticut suffrage is universal there is a small color
| ed population. But should we seek in any way Il
repel population which could be drawn here BY
this cause! Would not the fact OF any class being
attracted here to enjoy equal rights, pre-suppose
degree of intelligence and manhood worth having
! in a community
/ 5. No class of people have more thoroughly prov
ed their claim enjoy their rights than the coore(
people. By their patriotic and heroic endurance
wrongly their prompt obedience to law-by thei
unanimous, determined, and enthusiastic loyalty t
| the government-by their services in the cause 0
the unlonby the alacrity and zeal with which the,
periled their lives for the repubicby the nationa
pledges made to them by Presidents Lincoln anC
johnson, and by eyey principle Of justice and homo
They are entitled to the privileges Of the eectiv
| franchise.
| There is no excuse for Withholding this RICH
w
numerous enough to do harm. were they so disposed
They could not change the political complexion of
1 single assembly district in the state. We compe
| them to fight for and to pay their shade of tn
| taxes. Why then deny them the use OF the ballot
Justice is the highest eXpediency-equity the strong
est protection Tor the state. Every mans right
less sacred Tor wrong done the weakest and mum
blest. Every mans liberty is in danger where tn
rights of the poor and the lowly disregarded.-
| Every mans rights are assured where equal law
are enacted and equal justice administered ant
where the weak are made strong, and the helples
find sure defense in the spirit and word OF their OF
ganic law.
To the plea that acknowledgements of the eoloret
men would lead to a war of the races we answer tn
blacks would not attack the whites, for there would
be no motive to do so. They did not when wrong
ed and enslaved. Why should they when justice i
done them? And if the whites are SO brutal am
equal rights are conferred on them, that is soo'
reason for Withholding sufrage-notfrom Oh ao e
Ifu and loyal blacks, but from the diaboa ant
traitorous whites. 1t is the same plea alwas rge
against emancipation and is as senseless ana wick
| ed i'll the one case as in the other.
Let us set the example Of justice in Wisconsin,
where injustice is without shadow of excuse w
have set an example of wrong to the oppressed-tt
whom the nation owes debt it can never repay
by taking the side ofhis oppressor. Let us max,
haste to correct our mistake, and put Wisconsin OF
| the record IN favor of1mpartlal freedom. .-.-
There is peace safety for the state nation
but in the republican principles of politicar rights TO
( all men irrespective OF race creed or color Thu
people and government are now on trial. They mus
come up to the nights ofjustice and impartial free
uOllii OppTeSslOH
wrong. towards the depths of despotism.
| Entertaining the views we have above expressed
and urged, your COMMITTEE in favor fagain sub
hitting to The people of Wisconsin the question 0
extending the right Of sufrag hoping and believing
that with full view of the subject, and more thor
ough consideration of the principles involved tn,
decision of last November win be reversed, and mex
| November give q result in accordance with thu
/ claims OF right and justice-placing Wisconsin il
that high, noble and exemplary position trul,
republican commonwealth which she ought to occu
Ply.
| We therefore recommend the passage of bill No
| Al S. as herewith returned, without amendment.
l Respectfully submitted,
c. c. sHoLEs,