The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-10-11
TOO Many IRONS.

'HaI AAnsaS mas TOO many Irons In the
fire at once" Alludisg to the combina-
ton recently effected at Lawrence between
tAstemPsranes men and the female suf-
fEageites, it sage, with truth:
Combinations of this nature are gener-
ally weak; it usually happens that the CO.
alition is exposed 20 al the disadvantages
of both elements, and combines only a
part Of their strength.
Meanwhile, we fear that our friends in
that State are relying far too much upon
the negro suffrage amendment as certain
to be adopted. True, Kansas is Radical
State; her people are Intelligent; and the
early history Of the State, If nothing else,
ought to bsse uprooted those preiudices
of race out Of which so much oppression
and hatred grew. Negro hating was the
curse of Kansas in her infancy. We
trust in maturity it may not prove her
shame. For it would be shame if the
people of that State, after all their expert
enees, those peculiar to them as we'll as
those common to all who have survived
the war, should vote 10 perpetuate the
system of caste when South Carolina and
Missouri abandon it. 1t would be shame,
| if, in the Radical State of Kansas, the
| people were to prove so untrue to their
| principles as to maintain the disfranchise-
ment of citizens becaus of race or color.
Republicanism means equality of right.
The old democratic motto-"equal and
exact justice, without distinction of race,
creed or color"-embodies the idea which
has carried the Republican party
forward to triumphs so complete and glo-
riOUs. Those who abandon that idea in
tue hour of its victory give their foes the
right TO say that they have been fighting
for they knew not what; they tear the
Iaurels of victory from their own brows,
and accept the worst of defeats-the de.
feat Of men who had the power but not
the spirit to win.
They cast their votes against the cause
of just and safe reconstruction, for with
what excuse can their Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress vote for equal
suffrage in South Carolina. If the people
OF Kansas are afraid of il? With what
reason can We hope that the people of the
South will accept a change which Kansas
rejects? They cast their votes in favor Of
Andrew Johnson, for Republican defeat
in such State as Kansas would do more
to encourage aud embolden him than any
other thing We can imagine. The ''great
reaction" which be and his friends have
30 long expected, would seem to have
come indeed, and it is impossible to say
how far his audscity thus stimulated,
might carry him. They cast their votes
in favor of Copperhead President and a
rebel reconstruction. Loyal reconstruction
is possible only on the basis of equal suf-
frage. 1t is too late for the Republican
party to withdraw from the position in
which the necessities of reconstruction
have placed it. In the next Presidential
election, it will be maintained by all oppo
nenIs of the Republican party that it is
fully committed to the cause of impartial
outrage, and every Northern vote against
that principle will tell against the success
of Republican candidates. Indeed, we
cannot tell how great may be the influence
Of defeat in Kansas upon succeeding
elections; we cannot tell whether the Pres
idency itself may not depend upon tho
vote of that single State in the coming
contest; we canrottell whether peace, or
civil war brought on by President en-
boldened to resist the acts Of Congress,
may not hang trembling in the balance.
1t IS no time to scatter our FIRE. It is no
time TO divide among ourselves.
We should not have any fear whatever
of the result in Kansas, lift did not seem
possible that public attention would be
diverted by other issues from this, the
main and vital question of the election.
It is possible that the Republicans may
be. too sare of success upon this point
and may neglect the effort needed TO con-
solidlte their strength. Reconstruction,
the next presidential election, peace or
war, do not depend on the adoption of the
female suffrage amendment, nor upon the
support of a temperance law, nor yet
upon votes affecting railroad matters. But
they do depend upon the spirit with which
Northern freemen meet the issue of equal
suffrage. In itself. the question whether
negroes vote in Kansas, is of very little
practical consequence, but in the effect Of
the vote upon public opinion. North and
South, and in those consequences to
which we have referred, it becomes 10
reality the vital issue of the campaign.
1t is not because the negroes are of con-
sequence, but because peace, safe recon
struction, and final settlement of nation
al troubles are of consequence, that We
urge the people of Kansas, whatever they
may do upon the minor topics, to vote
right on the negro suffrage amendment.
If the importance of the vote is not for
COTTON, We know that the result will give
no satisfaction to rebels. and no encourage
ment TO a treacherOus President.