Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-01-25

statements could be duplicated almost
every where in the rebel States
Besides this insecurity of life ad proper
ty these present governments have ostra
cised a large fraction ofthe loyal citizens Of
those States. In two States and perhaps
more majority of the whole population is
Ostracised. Black men are III the same
condition politically, now that they are
citizens, as they u:cd to be when they were
slaves.
Certainly, if ever the Omitted States"
in the langua.e of the Constitution, were
called upon to interyene,it would be for the
relief of American citizens so situated -
That clause in the Constitution is but Il
dead letter if it will not apply now.
And should hardly be wiling to wait
for Il decision of Congress before we act
notice that a decision is threatened a
gainst such action. | don't know that it
is improbable. But the court shonld rec
ollect that it has had bad luck with its pol
itical decisions The people of this coun-
try thus far have preferred to govern the
country themselves and let the court at
tend to its law business. Both its great
political opinions have been reversed up
on appeal to the ballot box. and the gen.
cral opinion of the bar of the country fol
lows the popular verdict rather than the
judicial decisions. The Constitution, by
furnishing Congress with IA mode OF get
ting rid of both President ais, court. cyi-
dently intend'-,. to make it master Of the
situ"..on.' O. course its Ultimate powers
are llot TO be excised upon slight occasions
But the questions with Which we have low
to deal embrace in their scope the we'll
being of Il large portion Of the country and
enef fourth the entire population. As an
industrial and political question we shall
have none more important before us dur
ing this Congress. Having determined
the proper thing to be done, it is the man
ifest duty of Congress to take all the con-
stitutional methods within its power to
compass it.
And know nothing that promises SO
good Il result as to reorTaniZe one or more
of the insurrcctionarv States. Pcrhap; 1t
would be wise HOW to make the attempt
in such States as offer the best opportuni-
ties for success Il general bill, enbracln.
the whole present difficulties in its eXeeu-
ton, which would bid fair to shipNreck the
attempt Better allow Il part to await ia
tuiG iAiSch
time as best they may.
| Nor do see the wit of establishing ter
ritorial governments, rs is proposed. Why
create Il territorial organization i'll Il State
of Il million inhabitants Appoint Gov
ernor from Washington. and provide that
delegate may be sent here to speak, but
not to yotcl 1t locks like farce. Ii
will serve no good purpose whatever
Certainly for domestic government 1t Is
not needed, nor to prepare the machinery
to become q State. Such all organization
would be laughing stock to the people
in the State and out of it.
But let Congress provide at once for a
convention to frame Il constitution, to he
submitted to Congress for It's APPROVAL
The principal question in such IL case, up
Oh which there would be division of opin.
ion, would lie as to the qualification OF vo-
tcrs. All who would favor such organlza,
ton would of course insist upon ignoring
color as basis for suffrage; but should
| there be any restriction
| Both education and property have been
at times insisted upon; but have hoped
| that, since the prompt action on suffrage
in the District OF Columbia, we had come
| W tllt ScUsibit SUiiCIusiOli man ~ &c
superior to his accidents and go at once
to IA result which will be arrived 1T finalIy.
delay it as long as we may. If men all
over the country may safely be trusted
with the ballot when it is III white hands.
know of no reason to apprchcnd danger
when it is in colored hands. Let us nave
this matter. Organize government, give
universal suffrage without regard to color;
in other words, duplicate the suffrage bill
in the District of Columbia, ana then our
friends across the way may begin TO CON
graduate themselves that they are i'll a fair
way to see the end Of the negro question.
The negro has been hard antagonist FOR
them. He has destroyed the Democratic
party; and the only way row for any par
ty to deal with him successfully is to do
the fair thing hy him and give him his
rights! Let him have the same rights AZ
the white man and he subject To The
same disabilities. Then he will help pa,
your debt and bear his share Of the bur.
dens of the Government. But restrict hin
hamper him, and You make trouble for til,
future. 1t is only when the stream is vex
ed with dams and its natural course i'm
peded that yen have care and anxiety
If we will but strike ont boldly and res
the governments Of the States We are IL
reorganize upon manhood, and not upor
caste, have entire faith we shall be sue
cessful. and the negro question be finall,
settled. ! confess see no othe: cours,
that promises the blessing of good govern
mcnt to this generation.
Having done this, the present Congress
will leave the completion ofthis great bus
mess to its successor. Make The attemp
with two or three of the States, care no
which, and the next Congress will, hav,
no donht, So far appreciate your course n
in time to bring in ,Al tire States in til,
same manner.