Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-11-20

IMPARTIAL SUFFEAGE-Nestiag Of CoI0reG
Pe0Pte-The cOlOrrd people assembled IN con-
siderable numbers At the fair building last eve
ming on the occasion OF a mass meeting called
by The COlOred Soldiers and Sailors Union for
tAe expression OF views on the subject OF i'm
partial suffrage. The audience was of a MIXED
character, many white persons being in a.
tendance. A brass band (coloIed) discoursed
music at intervals, and the remarks of the
speakers Were greeted with frequent manitas-
tations of approval
Hon. J. NJ. Edmonds being called upon 10
preside stated that he understood IL 10 be the
desire of the audience that the speakers should
discuss the proprlety OF the colOred people lay
ing before Congress and the people of the Uni
ted States their petition for the extension Of the
right OF suffrage 10 the colored men of the Re-
public, and their reasons why the distinctions
OF race In that respect should be now abolished.
The speaker said that in exact proportion as
Ehe power of the ballot was withheld, the ca
paclty of the people for their own protection
would be diminished and the opportunities for
their oppression be increased. To the colored
people, as class, this essential attribute OF
citizenship OF republic had long been denied,
both by common consent and statutory en-.
actment. Ii was now proposed that that COM
mon consent should be Withdrawn by the ma
Jority OF the nation, and il was the province of
the colored people TO peaceabIy petition for
the abrOgation OF the statut tory inhibitIons or
legal disabilities TWAS mt and proper that
this movement should be inaugurated in the
National Capital. In conclusion, Judge Ed
monds said tha. in the endeavor TO effect their
object the colored people should not become
discouraged by defeats or delays, but should
act with unwavering courage and perseyer-
ance until they achieved success.
Senator Harlan was the next speaker. In
the course OF his remarks he said that ,niusrs al
suffrage was q practical imposs Utility, and that
the idea of the movement in behalf OF the
cOlored pleople was properly conveyed by the
fact that universal suffrage was impracticable
the speaker referred to the exclusion from the
polls of all females, unna,uralized foreigners,
children, youths under twenty-o years Of
age, idiots, and insane persons, felons, va
grants, untaxed Indians &c, and in majority
OF the States, ard until recently in all OF them,
all who had committed treason against the
United States And thus far in a majority of
tRe States and territories II had been deemed
lmPractieaole for the extension OF the right OF
Suffrage 10 Colored men The speaker, IN refer
ring 10 the exclusion of many OF these classes
SAID the propriety of such exclusion could
not be questioned; but with reference to the
Withholding OF The elective franchise from COL
Ored citizens he argued al some length against
the proprlety and justice OF such a measure
The cOlored people having become free, there
was now nothing en- the statute book Of the
I nited States pertaining 70 their civil rights
which distinguished them from other citizens
The only question was as 10 how far they
could safely be permitted TO have a voice IN
the Enactment OF the laws. On this subject he
did not suppose the colored people asked for
any special legislation. If females OF other
races were excluded. they would expect the
females OF other races 10 be excluded also
And so with regard to the other classes not
allowed 70 vote. The speaker quoted from
SRcFNHrS VI INC TIceiucul, 10 snow IndL ne was
committed TO the extension or suffrage 10 the
cOlored people, and after returning thanks 20
ior the attention with which his remarks had
been received, retired
Col. Hinton, CT Kansas, followed, thanking
zoo mat the Chicago Times, the Boston Post,
Lihu ne National IHtelhgeHcer mad come out in
laNoF OF equality for the negro
htN- m: III Hunter and Capt. Smith also
addressed the meeting
DEPARTURE o. THE MAsONs FOR BALTI-
MoRE-lh MS morning, about five o'clock the
knights Iemplar, designing 10 mute in the
ceremony OF laying the cornerstone of the
new Temple, In Baltimore, TODAY hogan 10
assemble al the hall, corner of 9th and I, SIS =
and AT SIX O'Clock the two Commandsr,ss
Washington, No |. y. Il. Bell, I'm Comman
der, and Columbia No. =, T.. l.. Stevens Fn,
Commander, termed IN procession, numbering
about rs Knights and with the u. y Narine
Band, Prof ~ ala, marched to the depot a
large number. who Were too late 10 ioin the
procession, TOOK hacks 20 reach the depot in
time for the train. The knights were IN full
uniform and made a handsome appearance
The Grand Lodge and mem bers OF the Dor
diEaie Lodges TendeZyoused at the depot,
hen, upOn The arrival OF the Tempiars, they
entered speciaI trans prepared for them, NIL
IrE eleven cars, ana the number of Masons
representing The District Of Columbia is esti-
nafsd 81 over thousand. Among them were
Numerous aGrd gentlemen, who for years have
O~ru connected with the order aud have al
Ways been prominent IN forwarding its enter
rTises- nun erOus company of ladies also
Ieit m the tTn'T, 20 witness the grand dIsp law
Heald's Brass Band. with their new and hand =
some outfit, accompanied the Grand Lodge