Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-22
Speaker Colfax.
THE NEW FRANCHISE LAW.
The Intelligencer and the Star

We are glad to perceive that the authorities
OF Georgetown call on all who are entitled IN
vote under the new franchise bill for mimi.
eipai omcers OF that town to register them
selves IT once, though the law in ouestion. bv
An oversight In framing 1t, accOrds them until
AFTER their next election before it is necessary
to maze the registration emitting the new vo.
tiers to exercise the franchise. Their action ia
In strict accordance with the intent Of the law.
making power. Apropos the Con,tituttonaI
CHss", with its usual blindness to the In terests
OF the public Of this District, urged the George.
town authorities to take ad van tage Of the over.
signt OF Congress, and proceed to hold the
oiecuon without receiving the ballots of the
new voters, and thus set Congress at defiance.
Our amiable and ingenious contemporary. tbs
In'eil'Sencer, yesterday morning repubiished
the CorstitutioSai Unions article, with rernark,
which, where they mean aught besides zeal.
ousy ana meanness to wards the STAR, indicate
sympathy with, and appreciation of, the mis-.
coievous advice Of the latter paper. which the
oeo'se'own authorities nave so promptly and
properly repusIated. =
We feel called on 70 say a few words in replv
to the InteIlioeneey's attack upon the SrAp in
theafticle In question. 1t Is in keeping with u.
many previous efforts to prejudice the D ublic
against the STAR,in the hope of profitine in own
business AFFAIRS. How comrieteIy 1t has failed
An tHat business course up to this time, al
Know; nor Is 1t possible that it can ever &C.
complish the sinister end 1t has in view. Ths
people OF the District Of CoIumbia know thar
their every interest quires them not TO slirh
the good will Of Congress, which il as nport-
ant 70 those among rs who live ON daily wages
as 70 the capitalist who lives by eankfns or ON
the pronfs OF trads, or 10 the ow ners OF District
Zeal estate. The STAR regards IL A its dntv
10 take heed that Congress shall fss,er the
interests OF the people Of the District, and
iaoors steadily TO that end. The STAR has a,
steadily advocated the Union cause from ths hs-
ginning ofthe war until now, a. the Intellfoenaer
mas opposed that cause during the same period
The two papers have agreed upon nothing in
yeiving public Affairs since tia Santhsrn
conspirators vacated their seats In Consres.
70 draw the sword against the life Of the mn.
tier. The LnteHisexeey. sill furious ON accou,,
OF the failure Of the rebellion, the success OF
~nics IL seemed to have so deeply At heart, is
surviving to e-establish the rebel leaders In the
control ofths Government OF the United States.
The STAR. true TO it, record, while anxious to
amsiiorate the condition Of the masses AZ the
South, who are not responsible for the terrible
results OK the war, 10 immovably opposed to
ne rehabilitation OF the South ern leader.
In control q the General or any STATE Govern.
ment which, wherever 1t might occur. von,d
De absolutely throwing away all the rood tina.
should result freu the terrible sacrifices or I;fs
and property throughout the war. II ID clear
that those leaders and their satellites ara nov
rs bitterly hostile 10 thssaprsmacy or the ON.
efa oovernment and 70 the sentiments and
Peops OF the loyal States - on the 2ad of Jan.
uary, 1863, and seek bat 70 snsson % thsm.s,v "a.
behind the shield Of their Constitutional rtshts,
n they claim those rights 10 be, that thev may
with inpunity renew the course Of naked de-.
posism towards all or UAion senslme.ts Al m.
South, which charscssrized their aamiaistra.
oon OF the anairs Of the exploded Oonfsderacv.
The STAR holds 10 10 be but the plain dutv ~
the country 70 prevent TIE revolution Ne thu
South from going backward to the fearf.i AZ.
IRENE indicated BY the temper of the Secesaiop
leaders above referred to, and IL recoen,ze. !,
the current efforts to improve the blask rae.
90 a. 70 make II - soon a. possible Of yassiy
more value TO the public interest than il
ever mas oeen, most potent means Of defeating
tne reactory schemes OF the secession lsaasrs
and sympsthizers. The attempt to destrov tns
Union Inevitably destroyed slavery. The a..
structiop Of slavery devolved new dut ties . no,
the country with reference to the negro race
ana the prosperity and peace Of the whole
country depends In great measure upon tina
manner In which these duties shall be dis.
charged. The STAR believes that IL will hs
madness for the country not to march steadily
up 70 the legitimate sequence of the abolish.
ment Of sisysry-to the work Of making ths
negro race As Intelligent al self-rslians, ana
~ iadus'riaily valuable 70 society at large a.
pessabfe, and a. soon a. possible. Thus, the
STAR though frankly opposed to increasing
the number OF ignorant, thriftlsss and shtln-
lees voters anywhere, did not deem tt proper
Co wage obviously Intellectual opposition 20
me weii-known purpose Of Congress to in.
itisss here (whsre the law clearly accords
them fhe power and the right 30 to do) the
experiment Of placing ali men, without N.
gard - the color Of their skins, on an Ga uaaity
Of citizenship. The STAR believes 10 to be the
better policy on the part the psopls of the Dis
trtet 70 receivs in good temper and with frask
acquisseenc %. the exercise Of it, undoub bad
rieht By Congress to legisists In thus matter
contrary 70 the views OF the body Of Our
vhttes.s hnAe less due to their own interest
toan 70 thar OF the cause Of the Union a. In.