Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-01-10


not be well adapted to the condition OF an
other; and the persons best qualified to de-
ternline such question are those whose IN
teresfs are to be directly affected by any
proposed law. In Massachusetts,, Tor IN
stance, male persons are allowed to vote
without regard to color, provided they pos
sess certain degree of Intelligence. In a
population in that State Of |, 231 .O66, there
were, by the census of 1860, only 1902 per-
sons of color; and of the males over twenty
years of age, there were 339, OS6 white to 2, COZ
colored By the same official enumeration,
there were in the District of Columbia6O, 164
whites to l4.316 persons of the colored
race. Since then, however, the population
of the District has largely increased, and it
is estimated that at the present time there
are nearly hundred thousand whites to
thirty thousandnegrOes. The cause of the
augmented numbers of the latter class needs
no explanation. CONTIGUOUS to Maryland
and Virginia, the District, during the War,
became place of refuge for those who es-
capped from servitude, ana it is yet the abb
ding place of considerable proportion Of
those who sought within its limits shelter
from bondage. Until then held in slavery,
and denied all opportunities for mental cul-
tire, their first knowledge Of the Govern
ment was acquired when, by comforting
tor of their race the test Of their capabili-
ty for improvement began, when, for the
first time, the career Of free industry and
the avenues to intelligence were opened to
them. Possessing these advantages but q
limited time-the greater number perhaps
having entered the district of Columbia du
ring the latter years of the war or since it's
termination-we may we'll pause to inquire
whether, after so brief a probation, they are
as class capable Of an intelligent exercise of
the right of suffrage, and qualified to dis
charge the duties Of official position. The
people who are daily witnesses of their
ode of living, and who have be come IA
miliar with their habits of thought, have
expressed the conviction that they are not
vet competent to serve as electors, and thus
become eligible for office in the local gov
ernments under which they live Clothed
with the elective franchise, their numbers,
already largely i'll excess OF the demand for
labor, would be soon increased by an influx
from the adjoining States. Drawn from
fields where employment is abundant, they
would in vain seek it here, and SO add to
the embarrassments already experienced
from the large class of idle persons cOngre-
gated in the District. Hardly yet capable
of forming correct judgments upon the i'm
portant questions that often make the is
sues of a political contest, they could readi-
ly be made subservent to the purposes of
designing persons. While in Massachu-
sets, under the census of 1860, the proper
ton of white to colored males over twenty
years of age was one hundred and thirty to
one here the black race constitutes nearl y
third the entire population, whilst the
same class surrounds the District on all
sides, ready to change. their residence at It
moments notice, and with all the facility
Of nOnudic people, in order to enJ Joy here
after Il short residence, a privilege they find
nowhere else. It is within their power, III
one year, to come into the District Ill such
numbers as to have the supreme control OF
the white race, and to govern them by their
own officers. and by the exercise of all the
municipal authority --among the rest, Of the
power Of taxation over property in which
they have no interest. In massachusetts,
where they have enjoyed the benefits Of q
thorough educational system, a qualification
of intelligence is required, while here suf-
frage is extended to all, without discrimi-
nation, as we'll to the most incapable, who
can prove residence i'll the District Of one
year, as to those persons Of color, who,
comparatively few in number, are perlna-
nent inhabitants, and having given evidence
Of merit and qualification, are recognized
as useful and responsible members OF the
community. Imposed upon an unwilling
people, placed, by the constitution, under
the exclusive legislation of Congress, it
would be viewed AS an arbitrary exercise Of
power and as an indication 10y the country
of the purpose of Congress 10 compel the ac-
ceptance OF negro suffrage by the States. It
would engender feeling of opposition and
hatred between the two races, which, be-
coming deep rooted and inerutlicabIc, would
prevent them from living together III d state
of mutual friendliness. Carefully avoiding
every measure that might tend to produce
such a result, and following the clear and
well aseertained popular will, We should as
sidiously cndeavor to promote kindly rela-
tons between them, and thus, when that
popular will leads the way, prepare for the
gradual and harmonious Introduction OF
this new element into the political power cf
the country.
1t cannot be urged that the proposed ex-
tension of suffrage in the District of Co.
lumbia is necessary to enable persons Of
color to protect either their interest or their
rights. They stand here precisely as they
stand in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
Here, as elsewhere, in all that pertains to
civil rights, there is nothing to distinguish
| this class of persons from citizens OF the e.
| S; for they possess: the ''f,!ll and equal
| Deneht or ali laws ana proceedings Tor the
security of person and property as is en-
| ioyed by white citizens" and are made
subject to like punishment, pains and
penalties, and to none other, any law,
statute, ordinance, regulation, Ior custom to
the contrary notwithstanding. Nor, as
has been assumed are their suffrages ne
cessary to aid loyal sentiment here for
| local governments already exist Of undOubt-
ed fealty to the first to testify their devO-
ton to the Union, and which during the
struggle 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 citi
zen, and, when guided by virtue, inteli
gence, patriotism, and proper apprecia-
ton of our institutions, constitutes tie
true basis of democratic form of govern
ment, in which the sovereign power is
lodged in the body of the people It's i'll
fluence for good necessarily depends upon
the elevated character and patriotism OF
the elector, for if exercised by persons who
do not Justly estimate it's value and who
are indifferent as to its results, it will only
serve as a means of placing power in the
hands Of the unprinGipled and ambitious,
and must eventuate in the complete des-