The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-09

portions of the country. There is q great
deal done for him on this point. The non
slAvehoider who was in the rebellion and
was as loyal as those that lived beyond the
limits Of the state was carried into it, and
his property, and, in Q number of instances,
the lives of such were sacrificed, and ne who
has survived has come out with nothing gain
cd, but . great deal lost. Now, upen prin-
ciple of Justice should they be placed In q
condition different from what they were be-
fore? On one hand one has gained great
deal /; on the other hand one has lost great
deal, and in a political point OF view scarcely
stands where he did before.
| Now we are talking about where we are
going to begin. We have got at the hate
| that existed between the two races. The
query comes up whether these two races. Sc
looted as they were before, without prepare
ton, without time for passion and excite
mont to disappear, and without time tor the
| slightest improvement, whether the one
| should be turned loose upon the other and be
thrown together at the ballot box, with this
enmlty and hate existing between them
The query comes up, will we not there com
mence war of races / think l understand
this thing, and especially is this the case
when you force it upon people without
their consent.
You have spoken about the government
Where is power derived from? We say il is
derived from the people. Let us take it so, and
refer to the District of Columbia by way of illus
tration Suppose, for instance here in this poll
teal community which, to a certain point must
have government, must have law, and putting 1t
now upon the broadcast basis you can put it, take
into consideration the relation which the white
has heretofore borne to the colored race, is it
proper to force upon this community, without
their consent the elective franchise, without
regard to color, making 1t universal! Now
where do YOU begin. Government must have a
controlling power, must have Judgement. For
instance suppose congress shall pass a law au-
thorizing an election to be held at which all
over 81 years of age, without regard to color,
should be allowed to vote, and majority should
decide at such election that the elective fran
chise should be universal, what would you do
about it? Who would settle it? Do you deny
that the first great principle is the right of the
people to govern themselves? VIII you resort
to an arbitrary power and say a majority of the
people shall receive a state of things they are
Opposed to?
Mr. Deuglass-That was said before the
war?
The President-I am now talking about Il
principle not about what somebody SAID
/ Mr.. Downing-Apply what you have said,
Mr. President, to South Carolina, tor instance.
Tie Presdent-Suppose you go to South Care
lima or TO Ohio, that does not change the princi-
pie at ali. The query TO which | have refere d
upon this principle aud has existed upon it, and
now you propose to incorporate element that
did not exist before in it. | say the query comes,
IN undertaking this thing, whether we have a
right to make change in regard to the cleo
tive franchise, in Ohio, for instance; whether
we shall not let the people in that state decide
the matter for themselves. Each community is
better prepared to determine the depository of
political power than any body else; and it il for
the legislature or The people of Ohio TO say
who shall vote, and not for the congress of the
United States | might go down to the ballot
box tomorrow and vote directly for universal
/ suffrage, but Il Il great majority OF this people
we're n gainst it / should consider it would be
tyranicai and arbitrary in me to attempt to
force it upon them without their viii. 1t is a
fundamental point in my creed that the will of
the people must De obeyed when fairly ex-
pressed. Is there anything wrong or unfair in
that?
Mr.. Douglass. suiling-A great deal wrong
Mr. President, with ill respect.
The President-The people must determine
that for themselves do not want to be engag-
ed in II work that will commence II war of races.
In each community, if man demeans himself
| we'll and shows that this new state Of affairs will
operate well he will be protected in all his rights
and given every possible advantage by that com
munity. When they have been econciled so
cially and politically to certain things, then will
this order Of affairs work tremendously, but,
forced upon the people before they are prepared
for 1t, it viii be resisted and work inhaTmonious
". felt a conviction that forcing that matter
upon the people, upon the community, will result
in the injury of both races and the ruin Of one
the other God knows | have desire but for
the good of the whole human race, | would it
were SO that all YOU advocate could be done in
the twiukling of all eye but it is not in the
ture of things and | do not pretend to be wiser
than Providence or stronger than the laws of ma
| turc.
Let us now seek to discover the laws govern
ing this question. There is a great law control
ling it let endeavor to find out what that
law is, and conform our action to 1t; all the de-
tails will then properly adjust themselves and
work well in the end God knows that anything
l can do in the mighty process by which the
great end is to be reached, any thing can do TO
elevate the races to soften and ameiiorate their
condition, will do and to be able to do is
the sincere desire of my heart. l am glad to
have met and thank you for the compliments you
have paid me.
Mr. Dayton--I have to return you our thanks
Mr.. President, for so kindly granting US this in
terview We did not here expecting to
argue this question with your excellency but
simply to state what our views and wishes
in the premises. If we were disposed to argue
the question, and you would grant US PERMISSION
of course we would endeavor to controvert some
| of the points you have assumed.
Mr. Downing-Mr Douglass, l take it that the
president, by his kind expressions and his very
full treatment of the subject, must have contern-
plated some reply to the views which he has ad-
vanced and in which certainly do not concur,
and say this with due respect
The President-I thought you expected me to
indicate to some extent what my views were OH
the subject touched in your statement
Mr.. Downing-We are very happy indeed to
have heard them
NJ. Douglass-If the president will allow me
l would like to say two words III reply.
| The PRESIDENTIAL have done is simpIy TO in
dictate what my views are, as l supposed YOU ex-
pected me to favor your address