Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-02-24

a majority " the nalion as = great AID
glorious event In tho history Of ihe human
race, viii not be followed, IN due time, by
the enlargement u the right. and priyl'
lsgr. OF tue people who are declared to be
enirAnehised2
10 NY Judgment, geutlsmsn, It Is the
mart OF wisdom Ia provide In the organic
Law Of the State, that the freedmen In our
midst shalt enjoy civil rights, on an equal
ily with the white population Of the State
ny c,yil rights, ! mean the right TO sue In
tie Courts Of the country, aud 10 testify
under the sams rules that apply TO the adj
instability Of the testimony Of white per-
sons to acquire aud hold property, real
and personal, and to DO placed upon an
equality with waite men in respect 10 the
punishment Of crimes,
More than this, believe II would be un-
wise TO exclude the freedmen in our midst,
from the exercise Of political privileges, by
making the enjoyment Of these privileges
to depend upon the accident OF birth or
color. | wish TO he perfectly frank In the
statement Of my views, but do not wish
10 be- misunderstood. | do not believe that
the great mass Of tho freedmen In our
midst are qualified by their intelligence, to
exercise the right Of suffrage, and do not
desire to see this privilege conferred upon
them. But think that progress Is the
great law of mind under every free gov
eminent, and do not believe that any
policy can be enduring or permanent in
this country which is based upon accident
nj circumstances and the "traditions of
prejudice instead OF being founded upon
the eternal principles of truth and justice.
If We fail TO take our stand now upon
principlc--if we fail to make political priv
ilegcs depend upon rules of universal APP
plioation, we will inevitably be betrayed
into the error of legslating under tho in.
auence Of ancient prcjudices, and with q
view only 10 the present. think that hu.
man wisdom cannot discern what is to DO
the future of the African race in this coun-
try. Let us not, therefore, arrogate to our
selves the attribute Of 0mnisience, and as
sumo that the freedman will never attain
to TINT measure Of intelligence which will
qualify him to exercise the privilege Of
voting for those who are to make tho laws
by which he will he governed.
| would not DO Hing to deprive any
man who is qualified under existing laws
to vote, d the exercise of that privilege in
the fn.urc. But believe it would be wise
10 regulate the qualifications Of those who
are to become voters hereafter, by rules Of
universal application. think il would be
no difficult task to fix such qualifications
for the exercise of the right Of suffrage as
would be satisfactory to the nation, and in
no degree detrimental to the interests of
the people of the State.
feel gentl men, that would be want
ing in the full discharge of my duty on this
occasion, if | did not warn you, and tho
people through you, of the evilresults which
may be expected to follow any system Of
legislation in the Southern States, intend
cd to operate only upon the freedmen, and
to keep them in condition Of necessary
dependence upon their former masters, at
the same time that their nominal freedom
is acknowledged. Justice requires that the
national government shall see to it that
this now despised and degraded race shall
be protected in the beneficial enjoyment Of
the great boon which has been accorded to
them. Any system of laws, therefore, in
tended to deprive them of the actual fruits
Of liberty, will meet with resistance from
the Congress Of the United States. Such
legislation in Other States has already
aroused the attention of the nation, and
feel assured that repetition Of it in Tex
as will but increase this jealous watchful-
ness. Even if such legislation could NEE.
with liberation for the present. which is
not to be expected, il would be but the be-
ginning Of another agitation which would
necessarily result in the triumph of the
views of the majority of the nation. We
are not without experience of the fruits of
such agitation. The late unhappy war was
but the elimination of protracted effort
on the part of minority Of the nation to
impose their views upon the majority. |
sincerely hope, gentlemen, that you will
thoughtfully consider what is the path Of
duty, and safety, and that your labors may
be influential to restore peace and tran
guilty to the country-aot hollow and
unsubstantial peace, but peace, real and
fruitful, that may rebound to the permanent
glory Of the nation.
Not knowing, gentlemen, how far you
may think proper to make altera,i ons in
the present Constitution of the State, in
relation to its general civilpolity, forbear
to make suggestions which | might other
wise deem proper.
beg you, gentlemen, to accept the assu-
rance of my high respect for you personal
ly, and of my cordial disposition to confer
with You frankly during the continuance
of your labors.
7 HAMILTON