Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-23
COOPER INSTITUTE MEETING.
Speech of Secretary ySeward-yieus Of Da
Xid DndIer

COOPER INSTITUTE MEETING.
speech of Secretary Seward-Vieus Of Da-
vid Dudley Field.
NEW YORK, FEB. 22.-Cooper Institute was
crowded tonight by thousands OF the support
ers of President Johnson
Hon. L. IL. Cutting presided over the meet
ing, assisted by large number OF prominent
ci'Izens as vice presidents. The meeting was
NrIy enthusiastic.
David Dudley Field presented an address to
the people OF New York and resolutions. The
address Is TO the effect that the first question
before the people Is the great one Of pacif-
cation, and what the country needs is re-
pose. The conflict OF arms has ceased, and
the conflict OF passions, which led 10 that OF
arms, should cease also. Our heroic soldiers
cherish no enmtties towards those: the only
element OF disturbance is the political con-
dition Of the freedmen. There is no SUBJ
stantlal disagreement amongst loyal men re-
spectng their civil rights. We ali agree
that they must have the civil rights of any
other class OF citizens. The right of person
and property, TO sue and be sued. and TO certi-
fy, IN short, equality before the law. but
whether they shall also have the suffrage is a
pending question. There can, however. De no
question whatever that under the Constitution
the power OF determining who shall or shall
not enjoy the elective franchise belongs excIu-
slNely to the respective States. New York has
no more right TO say who shall or shall not
vote in Virginia than kirgi nia has TO saw who
shall or shall not vote IN New York. The
elective franchise is not a natural right but a
political uust. Ii is even true that every per-
son who is subjected TO the laws is entitled to
part in making them; then every soiourner
amo ngst us, every foreigner. the moment he
lands. Is entitled TO vote. Because blacks have
fou ght for the country, that does not necessari-
ly give them the right TO govern ID. or to paruc-
lpate In the Government. If ii were other
wise, every brave boy from sixteen to twenty
one who fought in the Union ranks should
have vote, without waiting for years 70 par
uclpate IL the Governmental 10 which he is sub
lected.
The blacks fought for a country and they
have il; they fought for freedom and they have
II; we should welcome eouremaneipated brother
10 the rights OF manhood, but when we are
asked TO give all men OF his race at the mo-
ment of their emancipation, the right TO partlci-
pate in the Government, we must answer IN
the words OF one Of their own number, more
intelligent than many others, white or black,
"the able bodied only bear arms. the able
minded only should vote" The address com
mends the Presidents veto and saws that the
exclusion as Representatives from eleven
States now unrepresented in Congress, of Ioyal
men, who were fairly elected and can take the
oath, is a manifest usurpation. II concludes
by expressing confidence in The integrity and
fidelity of Andrew johnson to the principles
in reference TO which ne was elected, and
hearty recommendation ofthe general doctrines
OF hls two messages. and readiness TO support
him IN all constitutional measures for the pub
lie welfare.
The resolutions are 10 the same effect. and in
addiuon approve the action of Senator Morgan
and Representative Raymond and Darling, i'm
sustaining the Presidents veto.
Mr.. Seward said, after few words ofintro-
duction:
What shall / speak of or about! The call
OF your meeting specifies the subject. But first
let me say am not here alarmist. i am
not here 10 say that the nation is in peril or IN
danger; in peril Ifyou adopt the opinions. OF
in peril II You reject them; in peril il You adopt
the views of the apparent or real majority of
Congress, or if you reject them: it is not an
peril any way; nor do think the cause of
liberty and human freedom. the cause OF pro-
gress and amelioration or civilization, the cause
ofnational ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, present or future
material or moral, is in danger of being long
arrested, whether you adopt one set of politie
cal opinions or another
The Union, that is TO say, the nation. has been
rescued from all It's perils. The noble ship has
passed from tempest and pillows into the verge
OF a safe harbor, and is now securely riding
into her ancient moorings without a broken
aft. There are some small reefs vet TO pass as
she approaches these mool ings. One pilot saws
she may safely enter directly through them: the
other says that she must back, and by lowering
sail take time TO 20 around them. Ii is merely
a difference Of opinion between the pilots 4
think them both sincere and honest. but the yes-
sci will go in safely one way or the other.
The worst that can happen will be that by
taking the wrong instead of the right passage,
or even taking the right passage and avoiding
the wrong one, the vessel may roll a little, and
some honest, capable and even deserving DO
litical statesman, President or even Congress
man may get washed overheard. If this cannot
be helped ii can be borne. If i am one of the
unfortunates let no friend be concerned on that
account. As honest, as good or capable politi-
clans. statesmen or President will make their
appearance hereafter faster than will be needed
to command the ship as well and wisely as
any that have heretofore staIlked their hour on
deck. Although i do not think we are in n
crisis, the question to-day is worthy of delibe-
rate examination and consideration.