Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-01-25
The Suffrage Question.

ufNtIkutltSS III Vic AiSHs
zion. The vote in the national House
of Representatives, by which universal
negro suffrage was sustained, we by no
means regard as conclusive. A large
majority OF Republican members had
decided in caucus TO favor qualified sur
frage, by making intelligence basis
for the franchise. In accordance with
this view Mr.. Hale of New York offered
an amendment to motion to recon-
nit the bill, so as TO extend the suffrage
in the District of Columbia to all per-
sons coming within either OF the follow
lug classes, irrespective Of color, but
subject only to provisions or qualiti-
cations already existing
F8st-Those who can read the Con-
stitution OF the United States.
Seeon9-Those who are assessed for
and pay taxes on real or personal
property within this District.
Third-Those who have served in and
been honorably discharged from the mil
itary or naval service of the United
States, and to restrict such right Of sur
frage to the classes named and to in
clude proper provisions excluding from
the right of suffrage those who have
bone arms against the United States
during the late rebellion, or given aid
and comfort to said rebellion.
The House, after striking out from
the instructions the property qualifi'
cation clause, refused to recommit the
bill to the judiciary Committee, by
vote of IS against 117-the So affirm
alive votes all being given by Republi-
cans, and all the democrats voting with
minority of the Union members, -the
two extremes thus uniting, with diff
Grant ends in view but resulting in an
apparent defeat Of the Administration
programme. On the final vote the
whole Republican strength was cOnCen-
trated in favor of the bill, while all the
democrats went againet 1.-THE former
preferring unqualified suffrage for the
colored men of the District to no suf-
frage at all, and the latter caring more
20 defeat their Republican antagonists
and to embarrass the President for
whom they have recently expressed so
much tender soliCitude.
This qualified suffrage, on the basis
of a certain degree Of intelligence and
Of honorable military service, is in &C
cordance with the expressed and well
known views of President Johnson, as
well as those OF the late President Lin
coin. It 10 also in accord with the
views of majority of Republican men,
hers Of Congress, and ola goodly portion
of those outside Of Congress who stand
above the mere partisan or trader in
politics. 1t Is doubtless the desire of a
majority of the substantial men in the
loyal states, regardless or politicrl party
considerations, and OF a large portion
of the sincere Union men at the South
10 secure some such boon as this to the
freedmen.
No man can reasonably be presumed
to know better than President Johnson
the real condition OF the Southern PEG.
pie, Of all classes and conditions, theil
passions, and prejudicies, Born among
the poor and humble ofthem, working his
way up to the highest ranks by his knowl
edge of Southern men and interests
for quarter Of century connected Off
cially with the governing classes there, al
ways speaking on behalf Of the laboring
masses Of his white fellow citizens, and
more recently deVotiDg his entire en-.
ergies, and exposing life and proper ty
for the Union and the protection Of al
Union men, including the colored race
his patriotism is as broad and unQues.
toned as his knowledge.
This intelligent and patriotic South.
ern man, whom the loyal men Of th'
country voted for little more than on,
year ago, has expressed the opinion ths
universal and unqualified suffrage
among the freedmen Of the South wOul {
be likely to work more against thu
Union interest than for it--that dema
gogues among their late owners coul(
and would control them more than an,
influence that could be brought from
the North. He therefore looks for al
extension of suffrage among &hen
based on honorable service or intelli
gence as the safer and wiser policy.
There is no question as to She iuris
diction Of Congress over such matter
in the District Of Columbia, while tn
President and many others deny its in
ri. 'dietion in this regard. in the states
The result, SO far as the action Of Ii
prese ut Congress is concerned, is likel
to be Qualified suffrage, or no spffrag
Al all, sox eolored men in the souther
stases.
The Senate and the President, ma
- disposed to sanction the vote Of th
House, AZ the lest that under the ci,
eumssapces. can he done for the cOlore
men of the District, whose average ix
teNigsnce Ia much above the pisntatie
negroes Of the South.