The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-10

do 80, or whether common humanity would not reauir
tus to save them from themselves But, under tn
circumstances this is only speculative point II Ii
not proposed merely that they shall govern them
selves, bet that they shall rule the white race max
and administer State laws, elect Presidents and
beers Of Congress- and shape to a greater or less ex
tent the future destiny OF the whole country Would
such a trust and power be safe in such hands?
The peculiar Qualities which should characterize
any people who arc fit to decide nnon the manage
ment of public afasrs for q great State have seldom
been combined. 1t is the glory of white men t.
know that they had the qualities in sufficient mea-
sure to build upon this continent great political
fabric, and to preserve its stability for more than
ninety years. while in every other part of the world
all similar experiments have failed But ifanythne
can be proved by known facts--f ali reasoning up-
on evidence is not abandoned, it must be acknoyl-
edged that in the progress of nations negroes have
shown less capacity for government than any other
race of people. No independent government of anv
form has ever been successful in their hands On
the contrary wherever they have been left to their
own devices, they have shown constant tendency
to relapse into barbarism. In the Southern States
however, Congress has undertaken to confer upon
them the privilege of the ballot Just released from
slavery, it may be doubted whether, as a class thew
know more than their ancestors how to organize and
regulate civil society. Indeed it is admitted that
the blacks of the South are not only regardless of
the rights of property, but utterly ignorant of
public affairs that their voting consist in nothing
more tAan carrying ballot to the place where they
are directed to deposit it. / need not remind YOU
that the exercise of the elective franchise is the
highest attribute of an American citizen, and that
when guided by virtue, intelligence, patriotism and
proper appreciation of free institutions it con-
stitutes the true basis of democratic form of gov
eminent, in which the sovereign power is lodged in
the body of the people trust artifeially created
not for its own sake, but solely as means for pro-
noting the general welfare, its influence for good
must necessarily depend upon the elevated character
and trne allegiance of the elector 1t ought there
fore to be reposed in except those who are fitted
morally and mentally to administer it well; for if
conferred upon persons who do not justly estimate
ITS value and who are Indifferent its results, it
VIII only serve as means of placing power in the
hands OF the unprincipled and ambitious and must
eventuate In the complete destruction that liberty
OF which 1T should be the most powerful CONSERVATION
have therefore heretofore urged upon your atten-
uon inc great danger ''to be apprehcnded from an
untlmey extension of the elective franchise to any
new class In our country especially when the large
majority OF that class, in welding the power thus
placed Ill their hands, cannot be expected correctly
TO comprehend the duties and responsibilities which
pertain to suffrage Yesterday, wcre four mil
lions OF persons held in condition of slavery
that had ext sted for generations to-day they are
freemen, and assumed by law to be citizens It
cannot be presumed, from their previous condition of
servltude, that class they arc as well informed
rs 10 the nature of our Government the intelligent
foreigner who makes land the home of his choice
La the Of the latter neither residence of five
years. and the knowledge of our institutions which it
gives, nor attachment to the principles of the Con-
stltuton, are the only conditions upon which he can
be admitted to citizenship. He must prove in add-
l@1, good moral character and thus give reason
able ground for the belief that he will be faithful to
me oblgatlons which he citizen of the
hepubhc Where a people-the source of all pol.ti- |
'al power-speak, by their suffrages through the |
of the ballot box it must be carefully
guarded against the control of those who are corrupt
n principle and enemies of free institutions for it
IAN only become to our political and social system |
'a1e conductor OF healthy popular sentiment when
lept free from demoralizing influences Controlled
NV dos;
rchy and despotsm must inevitably follow. In the
lands OF the patriotic and worthy, our Government
sl De preserved upon the principles Of the Consti-
utlon inherited from our fathers 1t follows there
ORE that i'll admitting to the ballot-box a new class
Foters not qualified for the exercise of the elective
ranchlse, we weaken our system of government in
tead OF AIDING to its strength and durability II
eld TO no one In attachment to that rule of general
mirage which distinguishes our policy as n nation
'ut there is limit, wisely observed hitherto which
makes the ballot privilege and trust, and which
e4ures OF some classes time suitable for probation
nd preparation. To give it indiscrimnately to a |
ew class, wholly unprepared by previous habits
hd opportunities, to perform the which it de-
hands, Is fodegrade it, and finally destroy its power
or II may De safely assumed that political truth
pcttcf esa Gllshed than that such indiscriminate
hd alcnbracing extension of popular suffrage must
nj at last IN its overthrow and destruction"
repeat the expression of my willingness to join I
any plan within the scope of constitutional au-
iofiy winch promises better the condition of the
egroes in the South by encouraging them in indus
y enightening their minds, improving their morals
d giving protection to all their rights as freedmen
III The transfer of political inheritance to them
Saih IN my opinion, be abandonment of q duty ,
e owe alike to the memory of orr fathers and tho |
ghts of children .
Inc plan OF putting the Southern States wholly .
nv the ueneral Government partially into the hands >
negroes, Is proposed at time peculiarly unpropi- i
GUS. Inc foundations of society have been broken
Ny e'll war. Industry must be reorganized JUS .
&C re-estaollshed, public credit maintained and Or
Z, oIouSnt out OF confusion. To accomplish these ,
JUS would require all the wisdom and virtue of the =
eat men who formed our institutions originally y
'nndently believe that their descendants will he
iual 10 the aruuous task before them but it is worse
n !aaohess 10 expect that the negroes will per- n
80. ioi US. certainty we ought not to ask their a
slstance until we despair of our own comnetencv :.
Inc great difference between the two races in pby-
'A' Mentat and moral characteristics will prevent .
ANA iganalon or fusion of them together in one n
'nogeneous mass If the inferior obtains the as :,
hdancy over the other, it will govern with refer y
eo only 10 It's own lnterests-for it will recognize
common 1nterest-and create such a tyranny as Il
- continent mas never yet witnessed. Already the ~
groes are Influenced by promises of confscation | e.
~ piunder. They are taught to regard as an enc y
"hi,e man VINO has any respect for the rights o,
HIS own race If this continues it must became n
'rse and worse, until all order will be sbverted ~
INDUSTRY cease and the fertile fields of the South Al
Y" up INTO wilderness. Of al the dangers which :;
hauon mas yet encountered, none are equal to -
ose "nicn must result from the success of the eff "
= no" making 10 Afrlcanlze the half of coun- r.
would not put considerations of money in compe =.
ON win justice and right. But the expenses in | .
ent 10 reconstruction under the system adopted ~
congress agsravate what regard as the intrinsic =.
Uns vi inc measure ltsel 1t has cost uncounted ~
lions already and if persisted in win add 1.rrI an
Inc weight OF taxation, already too oppressive to
borne without just complaint and NAV finally ra pr