Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-01-12
COLUMBUS. OHIO SATURDAY MoRNIN ], JANUARY I2 1867


quired, while here suffrage is extended to al
without observation-disclosures wellto the most
incapable, who can prove a residence in the
District of one year, as to those persons Of
color who, comparatively few in number, are
permanent Inhabitants, and having given
evidence of merit and qualification, are rec
ognized as useful and responsible members
of the community. Imposed npoh an unwill-
ing people placed by the Constitution under
the exclusive legislation of Congress, ii
would be reviewed as an arbitrary exercise
of power, and as sanjindication by the.cOun-
try of the purpose of Congress- to compel the
acceptance Of negro suffrage by the States,
1t would engender a feeling of opposition
and hatred between the two races, which, be.
coming deep-rooted and ineradicable, would
prevent them from living together in state
of mutual friendiness. Carefully avoiding
every measure that might tend to produce
such o result, and following the clear and
well ascertained popular will, we should as
siduOusly endeavor to promotes kindly rela-
tions between them, and thus, when that pop
ular will leads the way, prepare for gradu-
al and harmonious introduction of this new
element into the political power of the cOun-
try. 1t cannot be urged that the proposed
extension of suffrage in the District of Co
lumbia is necessary to enable persons Ofcolor
to protect either their interests or their rights.
They stand here precisely as they stand in
Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. '1"'I...
Here, as elsewhere in all that pertains TO
civil rights, there is nothing to distinguish
this class of persons from citizens of tho Uni
ted States, for they possess tue full and equal
benefits of all laws and proceedings for the
security of person and property, as is enjoyed
by white citizens, and are made subject to
like punishment, pains and penalties, and to
none other, any law, statute, ordinance, regu-
lation or custom to the contrary notwith-
standing nor, as has been assumed, arB these
sutfrages necessary to aid loyal sentiment
here, for local governments already exist of
undOubted loyalty to the Government, and
sustained by communities which were among
the first to testify their devotion to the Union,
and which, during the struggle, furnished
their full quotas of men to the military ser
vice of the country, . ...
The exercise of the elective franchise is the
highest attribute of an American citizen, and
when guided by virtue, intelligence, patriot
ism aud popular appreciation of our insti-
tutions, constitutes the true basis of gol ecn
ment in which the sovereign power is lodged
in the body of the people. Its influence for
good necessarily depends upon the elevated
character and patriotism of the elector; for if
exercised by persons who do notjustly esti.
mate its value, and who are Indifferent as to
its results, it will only serve as a means of
placing power in the hands of the unprinci-
pied and ambitious, and must eventually end
In the complete destruction of that liberty of
which itshould be the most powerful Conser
vatOr. ....s. .....,.. .
Great danger is therefore to be apprehend-
ed from an untimely extension of the cleo
tive franchise to any new, class in our coun-
try, especially when the large majority of
that class, in welding the power thus placed
in their hands, cannot be expected correctly to
the duties and responsibilities
which pertain to suffrage. Yesterday, as it
were, four millions of persons were held in a
condition of slavery that had existed for gen.
erations. To-day they are freemen, and are
assumed by law to be citizens. '...'.l
1t cannot be presumed, from their previous
condition of servitude, that, as class, they
are as well informed as to the nature of our
Government as the intelligent foreigner who
makes our land the home of his choice. In
the case of the latter, neither residence of
five years and the knowledge of our institu-
tions which it gives, nor attachment to the
Of the Constitution are the only
conditions upon which he can be admitted to
He must prove, in addition, a
good moral character, and thus give reason
able ground for the belief that he will be
faithful to the obligations which he assumes
as citizen of the Republic. Where o people,
the source ofall political power, speak by their
suffrages, through the instrumentality Ofthe
ballot box, it must be carefully guarded
against the control of those who are corrupt
in principle and enemies of free institutions;
for it can only become to our political and
social system safe conductor Ofhealthy pop
l. 1,n,,
izing influences. Controlled, through fraud
and despotsm must inevitably follow. In
the hands Of the patriotic and worthy, our
Government will be preserved upon the prin'
ciples of the Constitution Inherited from our
fathers. 1t follows, therefore, that, in ad-
mitting to the ballot-bOX new class of vo-
teTs not qualified for the exercise of the cleo
tive franchise, we weaken our system of gov
eminent instead of adding to its strength and
.., s.r. III, ..Lrg .-.
p. In returning this bill TO the Senate deep
ly regret that there should be any conflict
of opinion between the Legislative and EX7
eeutive Departments of the Government, in
regard to measures that vitality affect the
prosperity and peace of the country. Sincere
~ desiring to reconcile the States with one
another, and the whole people to the Govern,
ment of the United States, it has been my
earnest wish to cooperate with Congress in
all measures having for their object proper
and complete adjustment of the questions re-
sulting from our late civil war. Harmony
between the coordinate branches of the Gov
ernment, always necessary for the public
welfare, was never more demanded than at the
presepttime, and it will, Therefore, be my con-
stant aim to promote, as far as possible, con-
cert of action between them. The differences
of opinion that have already occurred have
rendered me only the more cautious lest the
Executive should eHcroach upon any'o of the
of Congress, or by exceeding, in
any manner, the constitutional limit of his
duties destroy the equilibrium which should
exist between the several coordinate depart
ments, and which is so essential to the har-
monious working of the Government. gglrug
g. I,know it has been urged that the Execu-
tive Department is more likely TO enlarge
the sphere of it's action than either Of the 9th.
or two branches of the Government, especial
ly in the exercise of the veto power conferred
uponit by the Constitution. 1t should be re-.
however, that this power is Who'll
ly negative and conservative in its character
and Was intended to operate as o checkupon
hasty and lmproyident icy,
islation, and as d means of protection against
invasions of inst powers of the Executive and
Judicial Departments. 1t is remarked by
Chancellor Kent that " to enact Laws is, D
transcendant power, and if the body that pos,
sesses it be full and equal representation of
the people, there is dapgero of its pressing with
destructive weight upon all the other parts,
of,the machinery of the Government" lthas
been thoughtheCessary by the most
skillful and the most experienced artists in
the science of civil politics that strong bar
riers should be erected for the protection and
security of the othernecessary powers Of the
Government, 4 Olui uu.gQBlsl 'IG E9oIs1A i'
Nothinr has been deemed moro fit and ax-