The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-12-12


true allegiance of the elector. 1t ought,
therefore, to be reposed in none except
those who are fitted, morally and mentally,
to administer it we'll; for, if conferred
upon those who do not justly estimate its
value, and who are Indifferent as to its re-
suits, ii will only serve as means Of plac-
ing power in the hands of the unprincipled
and ambitious, aud must eventuate in the
complete destruction of that liberty of
which 1t should be the most powerful con-
servator. l have, therefore, heretofore
urged upon your attention the great danger
| to be apprehended from an uatimely extern
sion of the elective franchise to any new
class in our country especially, when a
large majority of that class in welding the
power thus placed In their hands caunot
be expected correctly to comprehend the
duties and responsibilities which pertain
to suffrage. Yesterday, as it were, four
million persons were held In a condition
of slavery that had existed for generations
To-day they are freemen, and are assumed
by law to be citizens. 1t cannot be pre-
sumed from their previous condition of
servitude that as class they are as we'll
informed as to the nature of our Govern
ment as the intelligent foreigner, who
| makes our loved home his choice. In the
case of the latter. neither a residence of
| FIVE years and the knowledge Of cur institu-
tions which it gives, nor attachment to
the princ pies of the Constitution, are the
only conditions upon which he can be
admitted to citizenship. He must LIoye,
in addition, good moral character, and
thus give reasonable grouod for belle.
1 IL. L L. (o,k g. IL
which he assumes, as a citizen of the Re-
public. Where people, the source Of all
| political power, speak by their suffrage,
through the instrumentality Of the ballot
box, it must be carefully guarded against
the control of those who are corrupt in
principle and enemies of free institutions,
for it can only become to our political and
social system safe conductor of healthy
public sentiment when kept free from de-
moralizing influences. Controlled thro'
fraud and usurpation, anarchy and des-
potsm must inevitably follow. In the
hands of the patriotic and worthy, our
| Government viii be preserved upon the
principles of the Constitution inherited
from our fathers. 1t follows, therefore,
that in admitting to the ballot box a new
class of voters not qualified for the exer-
else of the elective franchise, we weaken
our system of Government instead of
adding to its strengh and durability. l
yield to no one 10 the attachment to that
rule of general suffrage which distinguish
es our policy as nation, but there is
| limit wisely observed hitherto which
makes the ballot privilege and trust, aud
which requires of some class a time suit
able for probation and preparation, and to
! give it indiscriminately 10 a new class,
wholly unprepared by previous habits
and opportunities to perform the trust 1t
demands, is to degrade it and finally des-
troy its power, for it may be safely as
sumed that no political trust is better
established than that such inGiscrimihats
and all-embracing extension of popular
suffrage must end at last in its overthrow
and destruction. repeat the expression
of my willingness to join in any plan
within the scope OF our constitutional
authority which promises 20 better the
condition Of the negroes in the Sonth by
encouraging them in Industry, enlighten-
ing their minds, improving their morals
and giving protection to all their just
rights as freedmen, but to transfer our
political inheritance to them would in my
| opinion, be an abandonment of a duty
which we owe alike to the memory of our
fathers and the rights of our children.
The plan of putting the Southern States
wholly, and the federal government par
TALLY, in the hands of negroes, is proposed
at time peculiarly unpropitious. The
foundations of society have been broken
up by civil war. Industry must be re or
haH lio
| credit maintained, and order brought out
of confusion. TO accomplish these ends,
it would require all the wisdom and vir-
| tue of the great men who formed our IN
stitutions originally. l confidently believe
| that their descendants will be equal to the
| arduous task before them, but it is worse
| than madness to expect that negroes viii
perform it for US. Certainly we ought not
| to ask their assistance until we despair of
| our own competency. There is a great
| difference between the two races in phys
| ical, mental, and moral characteristics,
which will prevent an amalgamation or
fusion of them together in one homogeue-
Gus mass If the inferior obtain the
ascendaDcy over the other, it will govern
/ with reference only to its own interests,
! for it will recognize no common interests,
aud will create such tyranny as this
continent has never yet Witnessed. Al
ready negroes are Influenced by promises
of confscation and plunder. They are
taught to regard as an enemy every white
man who has any respect for the rights
of his own race. If this continues, it
must become worse and worse until all
order will be subvcrted, all industry cease,
and the fertile fields of the South grow up
| lSarnass