The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-07-12
THE PRESIDENT AND NE
GRO SUFFRAGE.

are disposed to dwell with delight on
the fact that, on some occasion, he ex-
pressed himself in favor of allowing a
qualified negro sufage-to wit THAT
it might be reasonable to allow a vote
to such as had borne arms, such as could
read and write, or had certain amount
of property. Tits true also that, whilst
denying the right of Congress or the
the. President to interfere with the
States in regard TO suffrage, he said, as
simple citizen of Tennessee, he might
not object to confering the right to such
classes.
To do him full justice we should look
at the circumstances of the case. He
was elected by the Republican party.
which during the war was particularly
fierce towards the South, and not only
contemplated arming all the negroes of
the South, but intended, if opportunity
offered, to trust to the negro population
of the South to assist to vote down and
rule thewhites Of thatsection. Through
their members of Congress, and Com
mittees to visit Washington, they kept
the matter constantly before the Execu-
tive; and there can be little doubt, had
Mr.. Lincoln lived, he would have even.
tually favored this ruling idea of his
party. The case of Mr.. johnson was
very different. He understood the sub
ject thoroughly and, we think, never be-
lieved it practicable. He did not wish
to break with the party that elected
him; and, through fear of an unyieldine
obstinacy of the South, may have be-
lieved that it might become necessary
In The future to make some compromise
with his party on this subject. At all
events, he discovered that he must take
issue with his party forthwith, or say
something calculated to allay their sus,
picions. The project Of comforting the
right of suffrage upon the negroes OF
the District of Columbia was pressed
forward as feeler; and it was soon
found that he was opposed to it. In or
der to maintain his influence with his
party, which he then believed might be
necessary to save the country, he took
occasion to make the expressions which
we dare say, hewould not make again il
they could now be recalled. We are
satisfied that he does not believe now
that the extension of the right of suf-
frage to any class of the colored people
of the South is necessary. The readi
ness with which the Southern people
yielded to all the conditions imposed by
him, and the sincerity with which they
desired to return to the Union, together
with the party rupture forced on him BY
the arrogant Radicals in Congress, hav,
convinced him that such a proposition
is no longer tenable or right. He very
naturally relapses into his former views
as the South gets right, and the North
gets wrong. Indeed, we are warranted
in coming to this conclusion from his
constant declaration to the colored PEG
pie in all their interviews intended Il
draw him out ON the subject. He has
warned them against being brought int
collision with the white race and adj
vised them that a separation must take
place, if they cannot get along harmoni
ously together, 7
On the whole, we cannot see any in
consistency on the part of the Presi
dent, when all the circumstances. arc
considered. The inconsistency is il
their own party. Many of them, willis
trying to hold the party together, ant
denouncing the President, are evidently
backing down on this subject. In this
State they now profess to be generally
opposed to negro suffrage, though it il
wellknown they were heretofore inclined
to favor it, and doubtless yet expect t.
do so, if the party North require it,
They will have scene of delightful
confusion when the issues are made NJ
for them by their radical brethren. IL
the meantime, we warn all conservative
Union men to look out for the coming
storm and, if they wish to preserve
their consistency, to take their stand q
once along with the President who's
views on this question will be foune
both honest and consistent which can
not be said of those who are cayilling a
his course: