The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-01-12

constitution for State, in which the
right of suffrage should be fixed, but
that it could call convention to form
new constitution and establish a
new government, and prescribe the
qualifications Of those who should
vote for the members of that conven-
ton and participate In the, organiza-
ton of the new government.
The power which I claim for. Con
gress is vast and dangerous, and
should be exercised with deliberation
and only in case of clear necessity, as
it trenches directly upon the general
theory and structure of the Govern
ment; yet it unquestionably exists.
If when other remedies have failed,
it be the clear and deliberate judg-
ment of Congress that loyal republi-
can State governments can not be
maintained except by comforting the
elective franchise upon the negro
race in those States, Congress may
confer it upon the ground that it is
necessary to the performance of a
prescribed duty. In this view it is
not necessary to regard the rebel
States as Territories, as the Constitu-
tional provision applies in express
terms to States.
As practical questionit can not be
supposed that four millions of free
colored people can for great time be
kept in state Of political vassalage
and denied their voice in the Govern
ment by which they are controlled,
and which they help to support. As
a political question, our republican
theory, which asserts that govern
ments exist only by the consent of the
governed" and that g taxation and
representation should go together,
does not admit that suffrage shall be
limited by race, caste, or color. As a
question of natural right, it is hard to
say that suffrage is not natural
right, when upon its exercise may, de-
pend the possession and enjoyment of
all other acknowledged natural rights.
1t is hard to say that man
has a right to life, liberty. AMI
the pursuit of happiness, and yet
has no natural right to a voice in that
government by which these other
rights will, be protected or denied.
But as all other natural rights are.
subject. to restriction and Limitation
for the general welfare of society, this
should be no exception to the rule
The proposition az once to Introduce
to the ballot box half million of
men, who but yesterday were slaves,
the great mass of whom are profound
ly ignorant, and all impressed with
that character which slavery impresses
upon its victims, is repugnant to the
feelings of large part of our people
and would only be justified by neces-
sity resulting from inability to main
tain loyal republican State govern
ments without them. adt
But the necessity for loyal republi-
can State Governments that shall pro-
tect men of all races, classes and opin-
ions, and shall render allegiance and
support to the Government of the
United States must override every
other consideration of prejudice or
policy. ce.I eafl a4Gs
If it be found necessary not to ac-
,ept the present State Government in
he South, and to exercise the great |
power which has hitherto lain dor
nant in the Constitution, the people |
# the South will have the consolation |
# knowing that it is their own
lct and deed. By the unrestrain-
ID slaughters of Memphis and New
orleans; by the unpunished murder |
# loyal men; by the persecution and
xile of those who adhered to the
Union; by the contemptuous rejection
# the generous terms that were offer
d, they are fast proving that the ex-
powers of the Constitu-
ion must be summoned to cure the
wills under which the land is labor
ng. dsH1al tas ura sars Us g
Let them take warning, and speedily
eform their ways before they have
riven the Nation to a point where
heory, passion, and prejudice, must
II give way to the stern necessity of
new governments, that
I'LL protect all men in equal enjoy
lent of life, liberty, and property
But come what will, the Nation
Ill live, and its unity and power be
Throughout the late conflict, we
lscerued the hand of God leading
he Nation through blood to a purer
norality and clearer perception of the
tights Of men, and cannot doubt that
q His own time. and by His chosen
means, He will conduct it safely
through this sea of troubles to a fra
ernal peace, unstained by oppression,
n broken by rebellion, and crowned
nth the choicest blessings ever
ouchsafed to any people.
OLIVER P. MORTON.
JUDGE BALLARD of the Tinted