The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1867-12-12


trary, wherever they have been left to
their own devices they have shown
constant tendency to relapse into bar
barism. In the Southern States, how.
ever, Congress has undertaken to con
fer upon them the privilege of the bal
lot just released from slavery, it
may be doubted whether, as class,
they know more than their ancestors
how TO organize and reg Llate civil 30.
ciety. Indeed, it ID admitted that tho
blacks Of the South are not only re.
gardless of their own rights of prop
erty, but theT voting can consist in
nothing more than carrying ballot to
the place whero they are directed to
deposit it.
] need not remind you that the ex-
crcise Of the elective franchise is the
highest privilege of an American citi-
zen, and that when guided by virtue,
intelligence, patriotism and proper APP
probation Of our free institutions. it
constitutes the true basis of Demo
cratic form of Government, IN which
the sovereign power is lodged in the
body of the people. A trust artificial
~ created, not for rs own sake, but
solely as II means of promoting the
general welfare, it's influence or good
must necessarily depend upon the ce-
waited character and true intelligence
Of the electors. 1t ought, therefore, TO
be imposed on mono except those who
are fitted. morally and mentally, to
administer it well; for, if conferred up
Oh persons who do not Justly estimate
It's value. and who are indifferent a. to
it's results, it will only serve as means
of placing power in the hands of the
unprnciplcd and ambitious, and must
eventuato in the complete destruction
Of that liberty of which it should be
the most powerful conservutor,
have, therefore, heretofore urged
upon your attention the great danger
to be apprehondcd from an untimely
extension Of tho elective irachise to
any new cluss, in our country especial
ly when large majority of that class,
in welding the power thus placed IN
their hands, can not be expected cor
rectly to comprehend the duties and
res possibilities which pertain TO sut-
| trage.
Yesterday, as 1t were, four millions
Of fpersons were held in Il condition OF
slavery that had existed for genera
tons. TO day they are freedmen, ant
are assured by law TO be citizens. |
can not be presumed, from their pre-
vious condition OF servltude, that Us q
class thoy are as well informed as tC
our government as the Intelligent for
eIgner who makes our land his home
In the case Of tho latter, neither res
Idence Of five years and the knowledge
of cur institutions which 1t gives, MOI
the attachment TO the principles OF tn,
Constitution, arc the only condition.
upon which he can be admitted t.
citizenship. Ho must prove, in add
ton, a good moral character. and thus
give reasonable ground for belief tha
he will be lallnlul to the obligation
which lie assumes as n citzen of Ih
Republic.
When II people, the source Of all po
iitical power, speak by their suffrag
through the instrumentality of the bal
lot box, it must be carefully guarde
against the control Of those who ar
corrupt in principle aud enemies o
free institutions; for 1t can only becom
to our political and social system,
, safe conductor of healthy popular ser
Gment whom kept free from demoral
, zing influence. Controlled throug
} frauds and usurpation by dcsignin
I men, anarcy and despotism must ine'
s ltably follow. In the hands Of IL
A patriotic and worthy, our GovcrnmcI
0 will be preserved upon the principle
2 ofthe Constitution inherited from OF
. fathers. 1t follows, therefore, that,
, admitting to the ballot u new class
@ voters, not qualified for the exercise
O the elective franchise, we weaken OF
II system OF government, instead
?. adding to its strength and durabil
o ty,
Y weld to no one in attachment to Il
It rule of genera, suffrage which distn
n guishes our policy as \ nation; b
1, there IS a limit, wisely observed hit
,r crIo, which makes the ballot priv
70 lege and 4 trust, and which requir
1t of some classes n suitable time for pr
a baton and preparation, To give
d indiscriminate!y to new class, Who'll
to unprepared by previous habits Il
4, opportunities to perform the trl
of which 1T demands, is TO degrad it, a
IS finally 10 destroy its power, for it m
Ie safely be assumed that no pohti
er truth ls better established than Il
.r such ir.discrimInate and all embraci
20 extension Of popular suffrage m,
IN end at last IN its overthrowing and
struction,
n. l repeat the expression of my w
to ingness to joln in any plan, within
H. scope of our Constitutional authori
D. which promises to better The con-
b tion of The negroes in the South,
81. ~, 80, n ;uJuatrN tbn