The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-12-08
=" Universal Amnesty---Universal
Suffrage"

Universal Amnesty---Universal
Suffrage"
We notice that there is a good deal still being
said, In various parts Of the country, through
the press and otherwise, upon the subject OF uni
versal amnesty 10 the late rebels In cOnside
Of the rebel States granting universal suffrage
Such propositions In our Judgment, IL complete
begging Of the whole question at issue. We
say TO the rebels u you VN seeois TO certain
propositions, &C Srin pardon you. II We have the
right TO say that certain conditions must be com
piled with on the part Of the rebels, as a condo
ton precedent 10 their enjoyment Of the rights
OF citizenship, there certainly can be no reason
why We should demand concessions from them,
for until they arc pardoned and restored TO their
former rights, they cannot legally exercise any
power whatever. And for us 10 ask them TO do
certain things in order that they may regain the
rights Of citizenship, 10 TO admit that they 10
possess certain prerogaiives, Notwithstanding
their treason. The President, in instituting his
provisional governments, proceeded upon the
theory tina, there was no civil government in the
States lately IN rebellion. and inasmuCh as these
governments" with the solitary exception Of
Tennessee, have never been recognized by Con-
gress, properly speaking heTs are no eiri yor-
srHmsnis ~ Ms ten States nor unreprescRied IN
o5ngrsss. This being so, why should We hold a
rarley with men having no legal status TO speak,
aud Of co0rse no right TO make contract We
have he right to make such laws for the people
in the insurreciionary States rs we may deem
proper, aud we possess the power, aud II Is the
duty Of the government. to enforce them.
The proposition TO adjust our difficulties grow
ing out OF the war upon the basis Of universal
amnesty for universal suifrage-waiving all OBJ
objections as TO the legality Of such measure
|, seems TO us has not been properly aud careful
ly considered In the frs, place, Il would ma
ierially increase the power fthc Southern States
by giving them thirteen additional members u
CoAyrsss and hirfeeR more roiss ~ ne electoral
college for PresidtHi and Tice- Precedent In the
next place II would be the means Of restoring the
have planned, plotted aud conspircd to destroy
the government for the past thirty years Nave
We any evidences that their ideas have under
gone any material changes during the six years
just passed Are they more patriotic aud loyal
than they were in 1851 Are they more strong
ly attached TO the Union now than when they
retired from the balls Of Congress, aud went
home and organized new government contain
ing features and based upon principles essential
ly different from our own? Are not their pref.
udiccs decPentd aud intensified, rather than
modified or dissipaied by the crushing defeat they
have met at the point Of the bayonct Are they
more disposed TO legislaic in favor Of freedom,
justice and humanity than before, and IL so why !
Would they never seek to have the Confederate
debt assumed or the National debt repudiated ?
Would they be willing TO vote money gu, Of the
treasury To pay pensions TO the manned and
crippled soldiers Of our army, when their own
relatives, disabled In attempting to defend them
and their ideas, were denied the privilege OF
sharing in the gratuiiies Of the government 2
Can the leaders of this conspiracy against the
government, be taught TO love the power tina,
inflicted upon them such terrible punishment !
What would prevent, II these men were again
restored 10 power, the formation OF coalition
between the Northern dough-faces aud ihemselve.
to rule the country Ia the interest Of that party
calling itself " Conservative, but which is only
the synonym Of slavery and reIrogression
And, in our opinion, the other prOposi,ien--
universal suffrage-is open TO many aud as
grave objections as the first. What proof have
We that the negro just emancipa,ed from posi-.
iion OF servitude covering two aud a half centu-
ries, IL capable OF expressing an intelligent Opin-
ion at the ballo,-box in his present ignorant and
degraded condition Has his Judgment ever been
tried Has he had any opportunities Of demon
sirating bis capacity for usefulness Is il asccr.
tanned whether he could raise himself TO the po-
si,ion to clearly comprehend the great principles
upon which our government Is founded, aud to
act intelligen,ly 10 the matter Of suffrage To
what standard the negro may attain, inIelleeiu-
ally and morally when left TO himself, II belongs
10 the future TO determine, aud until that qucs.
ton Is solved In a satisfactory manner, we think
the discussion Of the question Of universal suf-
frage is ill-timed and inoppOr,uue.
We are satisfied that the easiest and most prac.
teal way OF settling the difficulties In which we
are nov involved Is to insist upon the Constiiu.
tional Amendment. II seems TO US well adopted
for the purposes for which Il was designed, and
the people have expressed themselves by an over
whelming majority 10 iis favor. and the South
must either accept II or remain unrepresen,ed.