Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1867-01-19


ed popular will, we should assiduously
endeavor n promote kindly relations be
tween them, aud thus, when the popular
will leads the way, prepare for the gradual
and harmonious Introduction Of this new
element into the political power Of the
country,
1t cannot be urged that the proposed eS'
tension OF suffrage In the District OF COlum-
bia Is necessary TO enable persons OF color
10 protect either their interests or their
rights, They stand here precisely as they
stood in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana
Here ms elsewhere in all that pertains to
civil rights, there Is nothing TO distinguish
this class of persons from the cltizensof the
United States for they possess the full and
equal benefit of all laws and proceedings
for the security of person and property MS
are enjoyed by white citizens, and nre
made subject TO the same punishment, pains
and penalties, and TO none other-nny law,
statute, ordinance, regulation or custom TO
the country notwithstanding. Nor, MS has
been assumed are their suifrages necessary
to aid loyal sentiment here, for local gov
ernnicuis already exist of undoubted fcalty
TO the Government, and are sustained by
communities which were among the first TO
testify their devotion 10 the Union, ana
which, during the struggle, furnished their
full quota of men to the military service OF
the country.
The exercise of the elective franchise is
the highest attribute Of an American citi-
zen, and, when guided by virtue, intelli-
gencc patriotism and aproper appreciation
OF our institutions, constitutes the true ba-
sis Of Democratic form of Government, IN
which the sovereign power is lodged in the
body of he people. Its influence for good
depends upon the sterncst character and
patriotism Of The eleclor, for, il exercised by
persons who do not justly estimate its val
uc, and who are indifferent as to its results,
il will only serve ms n means of placing
power in the hands of the unprincipled and
ambitious, and must eTentuate in the COM
,,,cte destruction of that liberty, of which
!, sbouiu sc the most powerful conservation.
Great danger 10 therefore to be appre-
hcnded from an untimely [. tension ol 'ne
elective franchise to any class in our cotn.
try especially to the large majority o. '""H'
class. In welding the power thus placed
in their hands they cannot be expected cor
rectly to comprehend the duties and re-
sponsiblities which pertain to Suffrage
Yesterday, rs it were, four millions Of per-
sons were held in condition Of slavery
that had existed for centuries; to-day they
are frcemen and are assumed by law to be
citizens. 1t cannot be presumed from their
previous condition of servitude that, rs
class, they are as well-informed as to the
nature of our Government rs the intelligent
foreigner, who makes this land the home of
his choice. In the case ofthe latter, neither
a residence of five years and the knowledge
of our institutions nor attachments 10 the
principles of the Constitution are the only
conditions upon which he can be admitted
to citizenship. lie must prove in addition
good moral character and thus give
reasonable ground for belief that he will be
faithful to the obligation which he assumes
as citizen of the republic, where people,
the source of all political power, speak by
their suffrage through the instrunentality
of the ballot box. 1t must be carefully
guarded against the control of those who
are corrupt in principle and the enemies of
free institutions for it can only become to
our political and social system sa'e con-
ductor OF healthy popular sentiment when
kept free from demoralizing Influences
Controlled through fraud and usurpation
by the designing, anarchy and deception
must inevitably follow. In the hands of
the patriotic and worthy our Government
will be preserved upon the principles OF the
Constitution inherited from our fathers.
1t follows therefore in admitting 10 the
ballot box new class Of voters not quail
fled for the exercise of the elective fran
ohise, we weaken our system of Govern
ment instead of adding to its strength and
durability.
In returning this bill to the Senate l
deeply regret that there should be any con-
tiici of opinion between the Legislative and
Executive Department of the Government
IN regard to measures that vitality affect the
prosperity and peace Of the country. Sin
crely desiring to reconcile the States with
one another. and the whole peope TO the
Governments 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
he questions resulting from our late civil
war. Harmony between the coordinate
branches of the Government is always nee
essary for the public welfare, was never
more demanded than AT the present une,
and it will therefore be my constant aim to
promote as far rs possible, concert OF ac-
tion between them. The differences Of opin-
ion that have already occurred have rem
dered me only the more cautious, lest the
Executive should encroach upon any OF the
prerogatives of Congress; or, by exceeding
in any manner the constitutional limit of
his duties, destroy the equilibrium which
should exist between the several CO ordinate
departments, and which is so essential to
the harmonious working of the Government.
| know IL has been urged that the Execu-
tive Department is more likely TO enlarge
the sphere of its action than either of the
other two branches of the Government, and
especially in the exercise Of the veto power
conferred upon it by the Constitution. 1t
should be remembered, however, that this
power is wholly negative and conservative
in its character, and intended to operate
upon u, constitutional, hasty and improvi-
dent cgislation, had rs means OF protec-
tic- against invasions Of the just powers Of
the Executive s... &. uuio,pt Uepar;mcnts.-
Ii is rema ked BY Chancellor Kent that, to
enact laws is n transcendant power, and if
the body that possesses i. be full and
equal representation Of the people there is
danger of its pressing with destructive
weight upon all other parts Of the machiue-
ry of government. Ii has therefore been
thought necessary by the most skillful and
more experienced artists in the science Of
civil poiiiy, that strong barriers shouli be
erected for the protection and security of
the other necessary powers Of the govern
meut. Nothing has been deemed more fit
and expedient for the purpose than pro-
vision that the head Of the Executive De-
partment should be so constituted as 10 Sc
cure a requisite share Of independence, and
that he should have negative upon the
Of laws, and that the judiciary
power. resting on a still more permanent
basis, should have the right of determining
upon the equality Of laws by the. standard
Of the constitution. The necessity Of some
such check in the hands Of the Executive
is shown BY reference 10 the most eminent
writer's upon or system Of Government,
who seem TO concur in the opinion that en-
are most to be apprehended
from the department in which all legisla-
tive powers are vested by the Constitution.
Mr.. Madison IN referring 70 the difficulty Of
providing some practical security for each
...s.at fHe iurasinu Of ofhefs remarks