The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-01-09

! Wnere JQey nave e0lOVeQ the De0eltS oil
thorough educational system, a quail
| itication of intelligence is required,
while here, suffrage is extended to all,
( without discrimination, as well to the
most incapable, who can prove resi-
| dence in the District of one year, as to
| those persons of color, who, compare
lively few in number, are permanent
inhabitants, and having given evidence
\ OF merit and qualification, are recog-
nized as useful and responsible mem
bers of the community. Imposed upon
an unwilling people, placed, by the
| Constitution, under the exclusive leg
islation of Congress, it would be viewed
as an arbitrary exercise of power, and
| as an indication by the country of the
! purpose of Congress, to compel the ac-
! ceptance of negro suffrage by the States.
II would engender feeling of oppOsi-
ton and hatred between the two races,
which, becoming deep rooted and ine-
radicable, would prevent them from
living together in state of mutual
friendliness. Carefully avoiding every
| measure that might tend to produce
such result, and following the clear
and well ascertained popular will, we
should assiduously endeavor to pro-
mote kindly relations between them,
and thus, when that popular will leads
the way, prepare for the gradual and
| harmonious introduction of this new
country.
1t cannot be urged that the proposed
extension of suffrage in the District of
Columbia Is necessary to enable per-
sons of color to protect either their in
terests or their rights. They also stand
here precisely as they stand in Penn
sylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Here, as
elsewhere, in all that pertains to civil
rights, there is nothing to distinguish
this class of persons from citizens of
the United States; for they possess the
full and equal benefit of all laws and
proceedings for the security of person
and property as is enjoyed by white
citizens" and are made Subject to like
punishment, pains and penalties, and
to none other, any law, statute, ordi-
nance, regulation, or custom to the
contrary Notwithstanding" Nor, as has
been assumed, are their suffrages neces-
sary to aid IA sentiment here; for local
governments already exist of undoubt-
ed fealty to the Government, and are
sustained by communities who were
among the first to testify their devotion
to the Union, and which during the
struggle, furnished their full q uotas of
men to the military service OF the coun-
try.
The exercise of the elective franchise
is the highest tribute of an American
citizen, and, when guided by virtue, in
telligence, patriotism, and proper ap-
probation of our institutions, consti-
tutes the true basis of democratic
form of government, in which the SOW
ereign power is lodged in the BODY of
the people. Its influence for good
necessarily depends upon the elevated
character and patriotism of the elector,
for if exercised by persons who do not
justly estimate its value, and who are
indifferent as to its results, it will only
serve as a means of placing power in
ha L. 1F \
bltlous, and must eventuate in the COM
plete destruction of that liberty of
which it should be the most pow
erful CONSERVATION. Great danger is
therefore to be apprehended from
an untimely extension of the elective
franchise TO any new class in our coun-
try, especially when the large majority
ofthat class, in welding the power thus
placed in their hands, cannot be ex-
pected correctly to comprehend the du-
ties and responsibilities which pertain
to suffrage. Yesterday, as it were, four
millions of persons were held in n con-
dition of slavery that had existed for
generations; to-day they. are assumed
by law to be citizens. 1t cannot be pre-
sumed, from their previous condition
of servitude, that, as class, they are
as well informed as to the nature OF our
Government as the intelligent foreigner
who makes our land the home of his
GuOlGt. LII lut case Oh Ine latter, nellleT
residence OF five years, and the knowl-
edge of our institutions which it gives,
nor attachment to the principles of the
Constitution, are the only conditions
upon which he can be admitted to citi-
zenship. He must prove, in addition,
good moral character, and thus give
reasonable ground for the belief that
he will faithful to the obligations which
he assumes as IA citizen of the Republic.
Where II People-the source of all poIit-
ical power-speaks, by their suffrages,
through the instrumentality of the bal
lot box, il must be carefully guarded
against the control of those who are cor
rupt in principles and enemies of free
institutions, tor 1t can only become to
our political and social system a safe
conductor of healthy popular sentiment
when kept free from demoralizing in
huences. Controlled, through fraud
and usurpation, by the designing, AN
archy and despotism must inevitably
follow. In the hands of the patriotic
and worthy, our Government will 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 exercise of the
elective franchise, we weaken our sys-
tenn of government, instead OF adding
to its strength and durability.
In returning this bill to the Senate,
deeply regret that there should be any
conflict OF opinion between the LeSis-
lative and Executive Department ofthe
Government i'll regard TO measures that
vitality affect the prosperity and peace
of the country Sincerely desiring to
reconcile the States with one another,
and the whole people to the Govern
ment of the United States, it has been
my earnest wish to cooperate with
Congress in all measures havinG for
their object a proper and complete ad=
justment OF the questions resulting
from our late civil war. Harmony be-
tween the coordinate branches of the
Government, always necessary for the
public welfare, was never more de-
manded than at the present time, and
it will, therefore, be my constanr-aim
10 promote, as far as possible, concert
of action between them. The differ
ences OF opinion that have already oc-
CURED have rendered me only the
more cautious, lest the Executive
should encroach upon any of the pre-
'rogatlYes of Congress, or by exceeding
in any manner. the constitutional limit
of his duties, destroy the equilibrium
which should exist between the several
coordinate departments, and which is
so essential to the harmonious working
of the Government. know il
has been urged that the Exec
utive Department is more likely to en-
large the sphere of its action than either
of the other two branches of the
Government, and especially in the ex-
ercise of the veto power conferred upon
it by the Constitution. II should be re-
membered, however, that this power
is wholly negative and conservative in
its character, and was intended to op-
crate as check upon unconstitutional,
hasty, and improvident legislation, and
as means OF protection against inva-