Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-12-21

I President The assertion by Demo
cratic journals that this IS a backing
down upon its parts wholly gratuitous
since neither Congress nor any con-
siderable part Of the Union party has
in any way been committed to impeach-
ment measures. If, however, Mr.
johnson is allowed to escape impeaeh-
ment the fact is but too notorious that
/ It will not be for want Of sufficient
ground for it. Charges of the most
serious nature can be brought against
him the proofs Of which are matters
Of history. and which it is fair to pre-
sumo are but slight compared with
what might be developed by a close
examination of the under-current of
bis administration. There IRE many
reasons Why sneh-au examination
should be made, and in the House a
resolution has already been proposed
By Mr.. Ashley providing for the ap-
poiutment Of a committee for that pur-
pose. The people earnestly desire to
be initiated into the mysteries of the
pardon business and into the Presiden-
tial legerdemain by which hundreds of
millions OF dollars worth Of captured
property has been restored to its rebel
owners. They would also ike to know
how the army has been re0rganized
and what sort Of men are the Presi-
Dental favorites who, against the rec
omendations of Gen Grant and the
protests of Secretary Stanton, have
been appointed to places of honor and
trust in its ranks. The people are anx-
ious to know whether in case ofanoth-
er rebellion the United States forces
will, as before, be betrayed into the
hands of the enemy by a set ofLee's,
Twiggs's and Johnson's appointed in
time of peace by a south-side Presi
dent. There are many other things of
interest connected with the mysteries
of my policy which the people would
like to look into, and to examine
which they will be obliged to Congress
to appoint a committee. They do not
desire the agitation incident to an i'm
peachment and would generally prefer
having the President power for mis-
chief limited by wholesome legislation
to au attempt at his. removal from Of
fee Yet there can be no harm in
their knowing whether there are any
further grounds for impeachment than
those which are notorious and public,
and such information may. besides, be
useful in enabling them to make up
their minds when they come to judge
again of the merits of my policy
The great work Of emancipation was
inaugurated BY the abolition Of slavery |
in the District of Columbia. AT length |
this has been followed BY a measure
which has passed both Houses of Con /
gress comforting the ballot upon every |
male citizen of the District, twenty
one years of age, aud having no legal /
disqualification, to vote Pending its
passage IN the Senate an amendment
requiring an educational qualification /
was rejected by a vote of II to 80. In
the House notifications of the meas
ure proposing to limit its benefits by
qualifications Of any kind seem scarce
ly TO have been thought of. Thus
Congress has promptly and deoisively
planted itself upon the doctrine of un-
iversal suffrage, and has clearly fore
shadoWed the character of its future
action and policy in reference to this
subject. So far as Congress is con
oerned the question is now settled as
to whether educational, intelligence.
or property qualifications should be
made conditions Dreoedent to the right
of elective franchise. tt has likewise
been decided that the color of mans
skin should not affect his right to vote.
Indeed the impractieability and injus-
tiee Of all these qualifications are so
manifest as to scarcely bear discussion.
1t would be about as fair and as easy
to raise test of mans conscience as
of his intelligence, and there is no
known criterion by which it would be
in all cases at once safe and just to do
either. A man of very. slender edu-
cation may nevertheless have excellent
Judgment and in that respect be far
better qualified to vote than an indi-
vidual of much finer culture. There
are individuals who cannot even read
or write, who are nevertheless excellent
intelligently and patrioticaily
the use of the ballot. The
same is true of men of very limited ]
property, or no property at all, and !
a either in nature or reason can there
be found any adequate excuse for de-
lying a man the right to vote merely
On account of his complexion.
Congress has therefore done wisely
in enacting universal manhood suffrage
FOR the citizens Of the District Pres
dent johnson will likely veto the
but there is scarcely doubt
hat it will be Immediately passed over
his demurrer.