Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-12-13

ambitious, and must eventuate in the
complete destruction of that liberty
of which it should be the most pow
erful conservator. l have therefore
heretofore urged upon your attention
the great danger to be apprehended
from an untimely extension of the
elective franchise to any class in our
country, especially when the large
majority of that class, in welding the
power thus placed in their hands,
cannot be expected correctly to COM
prehend the duties and responsible
ties which pertain to suffrage. Yes
terday, as it were, four millions OF
persons were held in a condition Of
slavery that had existed for genera
tions. To-day they arc freemen, and
are assumed by law to be citizens
1t cannot be presumed from their
previous condition of servitude, that
as class they are as we'll informed
as to the nature of our government
as the intelligent foreigner who makes
our land his choice. In the case OF
the latter, neither residence of 1--WE
years and knowledge Of our institu-
tions which it gives, nor attachment
to the principles of the Constitution,
arc the only conditions upon which
he can be admitted to citizenship
lie must prove, in addition, good
moral character, and thus give rcas.
able ground for the belief that he viii
bc faithful TO the obligations which
he assumes as a citizen of the repub
lie. Where a people, the source Of
all political power; speak by theil
Suffrage through the fundamentally
of the ballot box, it must be carefully
guarded against the control OF thOs,
who are corrupt in principle aud enc
mics of free Institutions; for it cal
only become to our our political AMI
social system a safe conductor OF
healthy popular sentiment, when kept
free from dcmoral!zing Influences
Controlled through fraud and uSur.
patton by the designing, anarchy and
deSpoti,m must inevitably follow
In the hands of patriotic and worthy
men. our government will be preServ
cd upon the principles of the Consti
tuition Inherited from our fathers. l
follows, therefore, that in admitting
to the ballot box a new class of
voters, not qualified for the exercise
of the elective franchise we weaker
our system of government, insteaC
of adding to its strength and durabi
lily.
l yield to no one in attachment t.
that rule of general suffrage whic
distinguished our policy as a nation
But there is a limit wisely observe,
hitherto, which makes the ballot
privilege and trust, and which re
quircs of some classes q tuition suitf
bic for probation and preparation
To give it Unfortunately to a ne'
class wholly unprepared by previou
habits and opportunities to perforl
the trust which it demands, is to d,
grade it, and finally to destroy il
power. For it may be safely assun
ed that no political truth is better e
tablished than that such indiscriminat
and all embracing extension of pop
lar suffrage must end at last in i
overthrow aud destruction. | repet
the expression of my willingness
join in any plan within the scope G
my constitutional authority; (which pr
misses to better the condition OF Il
negroes in the south, by ENCOURAGE
them in industry, enlightening the
minds, improving their morals, al
giving protection to all their just RICH
as freedmen. But the transfer of O.
political inheritance to them, wouI
in my opinion, be an abandonment (
a duty which we owe alike to the n
mory of our fathers and the rights I
our children. The plan of putt
the southern states wholly, and t
general government partially, into
han Is o. negroes is proposed at
time peculiarly unpropitlous. 1
foundations OF society have been b
ken up 10y civil war; industry must
rcOrgauizcd, justice rc-estaOIioh
public credit maintained, and orc
brought out of confusion. TO accC
plish these ends would require all
wisdom AID virtue of the great Il
who formed our Institutions original
coutilcntly believe that their desc
dlnts will he equal to the ardu'
task before them; but it IS worse Il
madness to expect that negroes '
Dc form it for US. Certainly We on
not to ask their assistance until
despair of our own competency
The great difference between the
races i'll physical, mental and mt
characteristics will prevent an au
gamatiOn or fusion ot them toget
in one homogeneous mass. Ii the
fcriur obtains the aSccndancy over
other it will govern with reference
ly to its own interests; tor 1t Will
cognize no common interest, and
ate such tyranny as this contil
has never yet witnessed. Alre
the negroes are influenced by prom
of confscation and plumber. I
are taught to regard as an enemy
ry white man who has any respect
the rights of his own race. If
continues it must become worse
worse, until all order will be subN
ed, all industry cease, and the fel
fields of the south grow up into a
derness. Of all the dangers W
our nation has yet encountered, I
are equal to those which must re
from the success of the effort now
king to Africanize the half of