Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-11-21
Democratic Papers AdvOca-
ting Negro SufTrage.

The Chicago Times and the Boston
Post, leading Democratic papers, have
had their eyes opened by the late cleo
lions, aud seem to have come 10 the
sensible conclusion that the Democrat
ic party must either be crushed and
annihilated by the onward march of
public sentiment, or join in the grand
army of suffrage reform, and move in
concert with it. And as the chief end
OF q modern Democrats being is to
a v 'the party" some of the more
~sagscious are desirous of turning over
new leaf" and inscribing Impartial
Suffrage" on their banners. We have
never doubted that equal rights at the
ballot-box, and equality before the law,
would oon be very popular political
tenets, but were not prepared to see
sccessions to she causeat this early day
from those who have so recently been
its chief opponents. But policy some
times influences men who are wholly
insensible to the high claims Of jus
tice. The Democrats yield, as the rebel
armies did, when they realize that
there is no escape from utter defeat
Adversely has its sweet uses even in
politics, and it is christian to hope the
Democratic party may see the errors of
its devious ways, and seek to atone for
the past, by "doing works meet for re-
pentence," in the future.
The Chicago Times is b eablest Demo
cratic organ 10 the northwest. Its is
sue of Nov. II, contains an editorial
article repudiating Andrew johnson as
a failure, and advocating negro suffrage.
1t argues that if the negro question "a
be settled there viii be some chance
for the Democrats TO reconstruct their
shattered ranks, and for this reason
apparently it has nj higher Dr. more
worthy motive-advises that all claim
ed for the colored man be conceded,
Northand South. 1t says negro suf-
frage is inevitable, and wishes the
Democratic party to have 8 hand in
saying whether it shall be qualified or
universal suffrage. The Times says il
means impartial suffrage" or suffrage
based upon intelligence, not color !
Verify the world moves.
The Boston Post is the mouth-piece
of the New England Democracy. II
says Impartial suffrage is wise, just
and politic." 1t favors the Massaehu-
sets system which gives the ballot to
every male, q years of age Except
paupers and persons under guardian
ship who can read the Constitution,
and write their name.
These utterances of radicalism from
Democratic organs, east and west, may /
be sort of feelers to test the pliancy Of
the great mass of the party. We have
no idea that the rank and file Democra-
cy can perform so great a miracle as to
suddenly divest themselves of the rus
ted in~crustations of prejudice, that en-
the little soul yet left in them,
as to be able todeal justly to a despised
class of fellow-men, and to dare TO do
right for rights cWn glorious sake. 1t
is quite probable a large portion of the
present time Democracy will cling to
their uncharitableness of feeling until
their latest breath. But the nobler
men of the nation, men who can rise
above caste and prejudice, are the ru-
element, and whether the hard
shell Democracy viii or will not assent, I
the doctrine of impartial suffrage and
civil equality will inevitably follow as
the consequence of the overthrow Of (
and as a necessary safeguard in
the work of reconstruction. ,