Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-13
The Logic of Freedom.

We publish elsewhere the rel0lnder OF the col
ored men TO the views expressed respecting their
race by the President at their interview with him
This reoinder is entirely courteous and dignifed,
and is quite invinclble as an argument Ii touches
the vital points of the objections to suffrage A
war Of races is the danger which all opponents of
suffrage urge why it should not be
granted They neglect, however to state that
this war OF races will not be commenced by blacks
but by whites. Black men only ask for their
rights, and if these granted they will have
nothing TO make by of races. This war
will De begun, il at al, by the whites. Do not
those, then, who the argument admit that
they do not dare to do justice by the black race
for fear Of the evil passions of the white race
And not this reflection upon a race
which It is proposed to clothe with excu-
siVe civil and political rights at the South F.? Is
there any valid answer to this inquiry of these col
ored men, 81 Can 1t be that you would recommend
policy which would arm the strong, and cast
down the detenseess "
There is unquestionabiy very strong prejudice
at the South against Uni, ersal suffrage but it ID
no stronger than was the prejudice against
cipation. The latter did MT bri z on a war of
races, and why should the former? The question
practical one, Dut II Is not therefore necessary
10 ignore Inc fundamental principles OF gov
eminent and the rights of IN the settlement
OF Every day inc government is admitting
the necessity OF securing OF the rights Of
freedom the Freedmen. 1t insists that their
freedom shall DE respected. 1t procaims the
laws calculated TO Cypress them VOID. 1t extends
the protection OF the Freedmens Bureau over
every southern state. Il retains military force
ali through the South. President johnson and
General Grant admit the necessity OF putting the
strong arm OF federal power, so lar, between the
backs and the preJudIces OF their late sters.
If ii be right and necessary for the federal gov
eminent 10 defend some OF the rights OF the
Freedmen, and insist southern states shall
recognize and respect these rights, is It not cow
ardIy refuse 10 give than all their rights, and
defend them IN their enJoym snt? Does a gov
eminent deserve the name wnlcn leaves part Of
It's people to be oppressed, DISTINGUISHED, rampled
upon, without making effort to prevent such
great injustice Is i very serious charge
to make against the whites OF South, that they
Will exLerminaLe the blacks before they will per-
NIT them TO have their rights
| We believe TINS talk ABOUT war OF races, is
Only the logic OF oppression, which should be
thrown aside with the dead carcass of slavery.
We have entered upon the OF universal free
dom this country, and We should adopt the
logic OF freedom. II is question OF preju-
dice, out it is question OF right, and prejudice
must yield to ighs. Inc nation dared 10 elnan-
clpate IN spite OF the puejudices OF the
masters anu the whole democratic party, and now
It should dare TO secure all the II MS OF freemen
70 the Freedmen ia spite OF the prejudices OF the
same persoLs-