The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-07

enjoyed the BENEFITS Of a thorough educational
system, qualification OF intelligence il required,
while here suffrage is extended 10 all, without
discrimination, as we'll to the most incapable,
who can prove a residence in the District OF one
year. as to those persons OF color who, compare
lively few in number, are permanent inhabl-
tants, and having given evidence OF merit ana
qualification, are recognized as useful and re-
spOnsible members OF the community. I'M
posed upon an unwilling people, placed 3
the Constitution under the exclusive leglS-
Iation OF Congress. 1T would be viewed
as an arbitrary exercise of power, and as
an indication by the country of the purpose OF
Congress to compel the acceptance OF negro sut-
trage by the States. IL would engender ieel-
ing of opposition and hatred between the Two
races, which. becoming deeprooted and inera-
dicable, would prevent them from living together
in q state of mutual friendlmess Carefully
avoiding every measure that might tend to pro-
duce such result and iolowine the clear aud
well-ascertained popular WILL we should assidu-
ously endeavor to promote kindly relations be-
tween them, and thus, when that popular viii
leads the way, prepare for the gradual and mar
monous intro dUctiUn of this ne element into
the political power Of the country.
II cannot be urged that the proposed eXten-
sion of suffrage in the District OF Columbia Is
necessary TO enable persons of color 10 project
either their interests or their rights. They
stand here precisely as they stand In Pennsyl.
vania, ohio, and Indiana. Here, as elsewhere,
in all that pertains to civil rights, there is
nothing TO distinguish this class of persons
IRON citizens of the United States: for they
possess the "lull and equal benefit OF all laws
and proceedings for the security of person and
property as is enjoyed By white citizens" and
aIe made subject to like punishment paius,
and penalties, and to none other, any law,
statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom to the
contrary Notwithstanding" Nor az has been
assumed, are their suffrages necessary to aid
loyal sentiment here; for local governments
already exist Of undOubted fcalty to the Gov.
eminent, and are sustained by communities
which were among the first to testify their devo.
the Union which durInO
gle furnished their full quotas of men TO the
military service of the country
The exercise of the elective franchise is the
highest attribute of an American citizen, and,
when guided by virtue, intelligence, patriotism,
and proper appreciation of our institutions,
constitutes the true basis OF a democratic form
of government, in which the sovereign power is
lodged in the body OF the people, It's influence
FOR good necessarily depends upon the elevated
character and patriotism of the elector, for if
exercised by persons who do not Justly estimate
its value, and who are Indifferent as 10 It's
results, it Will only serve as a means OF placing
power in the hands OF the unprlncipled and am
bilious, and must eventuate in the complete
destruction of that liberty of which it should be
the most powerful conservator. Great danger is
therefore 10 be apprehended from an untimely
extension of the elective franchise to any new
class in our country, especially when the
large majority of that class, IN welding the
power thus placed in their hands, cannot be
expected correctly to comprehend the duties
and responsibilities which pertain to suffrage
v,
were held in a condition OF slavery that had
existed for generations; to-day they are free
men, and are assumed by law to be citizens lt
cannot be presumed, from their previous con-
dition of servitude, that, as class, they are as
well informed as to the nature of our Govern
ment as the intelligent foreigner who makes
our land the home OF his choice. Iu the case of
the latter, neither residence of FIVE years, and
the knowledge OF our institutions whichit gives,
nor attachment to the principles Of the Consti.
! tuition, are the only conditions upon which he
| can be admitted 10 citizenship. He must prove
| IN addition, good moral character, ana thus
| give reasonable ground for the belief that he
! will be faithful to the obligations which he
assumes as citizen of the republic:
! Where a people-the source of all political
power-speak, by their sutrages, through the
| instrumentality of the ballot-boX, it must be
| carefully guarded against the control OF those
who are corrupt in principle aud enemies OF
political and social system safe conductor of
| healthy popular sentiment when kept free from
| demoralizing influences. Controlled, through
fraud and usurpation, by the designing,
anarchy and despotism must inevitably follow.
In the hands of the patriotic and worthy, our
Government will be preserved upon the princl-
Piles of the Constitution inherited from our
fathers. 1t follows, therefore, that in admitting
to the ballot-boX new class OF voters not qualt-
fed for the exercise of the elective franchise, we
weaken our system of government, instead OF
adding to its strength and durability.
In returning this bill to the Senate deeply
olpnIon between the legislative and EXecu-
tive Departments of the Government in regaId d
10 measures that vitally affect the prosperity
and peace OF the country. Sincerely desiring
TO reconcile tbl statc, vi ne another, anC
the whole people to the Government OF the
United States IL has been my earnest wish tC
cooperate with Congress in all measures hav
ing tor their object a proper and complete
adjustment OF the questions resulting from oul
late civil war. Harmony between the co-ordi
nate branches of the Government, always
necessary for the public welfare, was never
more demanded than at the present time, and il
will therefore be nay constant aim to promote
as far as possible, concert of action between
them. The differences of opinion that
have already occurred have rendered
me only the more cautious lest the
Executive should encToach upon any of the pre-
negatives of Congress, or, by exceeding, in am
destroy the equilibrium which should exist be
tween the several coordinate departments, anC
which is so essential to the harmonious Workin&
of the Government l know it has been urgeC
that the Executive Department is more likely L
enlarge the sphere OF Its action than either o
the other two branches of the Government anC
especially in the exercise OF the veto power con
terred upon it by the Constitution. 1t should
be remembered, however, that this power i
wholly negative and conservative in lis charac
ter, and was intended to operate as check upol
unconstitutional, hasty, and improVdent legis
lation, and as means OF protection agains
invasions OF the just powers Of the Execu
tive and Judicial Departments. II is re
marked by Chancellor Kent that ITO enac
laws is a trans cendent power; and, If tn
body that possesses 1t be a full and equa
representation of the people, there is danger 0
its pressing with destructive weight upon al
ment. 1t has, therefore, been thought neces
sary, by the most skilful and most experienced
artists in the science of civil polity, that stron
barriers should be erected for the protection
aVaA ~ Of tha ID nNuQ n