The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-02-10

cation, proposition odious to me, and which
believe cannot be successfully commended
To the people. think that the success
OF this proposition, in loyal states even, is
wholly problematical, ami we cannot afford
to lose this opportunity to correct n great
wrong simply by difference about words.
II is said that Massachusd TITS prescribes as
\ qualification thar voters should read and
write, and that the unfortun bite class who are
disfranchised in that state should be looked
after. Sir, has this exclusion ever worked
harm 20 the Union? Does it make a real prac
tica! difference between the voter of Massa>
chusetts and Illinois as to the influence each
shall exercise in the v9rnment of the
country? Besi'es. l believe that practically
1t has no bearing even in Massachusetts,. |
am informed by men who have had great
share i'll the politics o: Massachusetts,,
| that no man Is Practically disfran>
! chised in Massachusetts, because he cannot
read and write. that it is never made cause
! of challenge. However that m ~ be, We are
not now called to redress the wrongs of the
! nonyoters of Mass ichuset::: their exclusion
does not in jure the nation practically, does
not deprive "a man in Illinois of his due share
in the choice of President and Vice President,
and nii due influence in Congress. We can
not right ali wrongs in Il single measure ie.
us cohfne ourselves to those in which "
have practical interest
Il IS said that the southern states may i'm
pose property qualification, and SO exclude
the negroes. not OH account Of race or color. /
bnt Tor want of property qualification, or
that ihey might pro7.de TO- a qualification OF |
Intelligence. and so disfranchise the negroes
because they could not read or write, and
still enunefate them To do this they must
ravpe al1 La
to negroes and second. provide qualifications !
which VIII disiranchise ha their white .
voters two things neither of which will, in /
any human probability, occur. And in the /
event that it was possible that both these (
measures should be adop: d, and all the blacks /
and half the whites disqualified it woud be /
come grave question whether the provis- .
Ion OF the constitution rLirh requires the |
United States to guaranty to ca.' state g.
Republican form Of gorernmrut ws.iI not
authorize the GoverEm E to rec'iy So gross
wrong There Is no measure 10 which
tanciiul objections may hot be urged but |
believe this to be the least Objectionable Of
any measure which has been suggested TO
meet this evil. But abprn all, ! am well per
suaded that It's the only measure that can
meet the approval of three fourths of tn
states: Consequently. that this IS tn pa'-
practical measure before the House.
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