Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-14

barism. In the southern states, now
ever, Congress has undertaken TO
confer upon them the privilege of the
ballot. Just released from slavery, it
may be doubted whether as GLASS they
know more than their ancestors how 60
organize and regulate civil society.
Indeed, ii is admitted that the blacks
of the South are not only regardless of
the rights af property, but their voting
can consist IN nothing more than carry
ing the ballot to the place where they
are directed to deposit It, reed not
remind you that the exercise of the
elective franchise is the highest attri-
bnfe OF the American citizen,
and that, when guided by
virtue, intelligence, patriotism, aud
proper appreciation OF our free inHti
tutions, it constitutes the true basis of
democratic form of government, in
which sovereign power is lodged IN the
body of the people. A trust artiiclally
created, not for its own sake, but solely
az means promoting tue general vel
fare, its huence for good must neces-
sarily de end upon the elevated char
acter andtrne allegian of the eiector.
1t ought, therefore, to be reposed ia
none except those who are fitted, NOR
ally and mentally, to administer 1T we'll;
for if conferred upon persons who do
not Justly estimate It's value, and who
are indifferent as to it's results, 1t will
only serve as a means of placing power
in the hands of unprincipled and am
bilious men and must eventuate in the
complete destruction of the liberty OF
which il should be the most powerful
conservatol. L have heretofore urged
upon your attention the great danger TO
be apprehended from an untImely ex-
tention OF the elective franchise TO any
new class in orr country, and especially
when large maj rity of that class, in
welding the power thus placed ia their
hands, cannot be expected correctly
tc comprehend the duties aud RESPONSE
biiities which pertain to suffrage. Yes
terday, as it were, four millions OF
persons were held in a condition OF
slavery that ad existed for generations.
To-day they are freemen, and are as
sumed by law to be citizens. 1t cannot
| be presumed from their previous cOndi-
ton of servitude, that as class they
are we'll informed as to the nature of
our government as an Intelligent
foreigner WHO makes our land the home
of his choice la the case of the latter,
neither residence OF tive years, and
the knowledge of our institutions
which il gives, nor attachment to the
principles of the constitution, are the
only conditions upon which he can
be admitted 10 citizenship. he
must prove, in addition, a good moral
character, and thus give reasonable
ground for the belief that he will be
| faithful to the Obligations VIII CHI he as
sumes as a citizen of the republic. -
Where people, the source OF all polt-
ical power, speak by their suffrage,
| through the fundamentally OF the bal
| lot-box, il must be carefully guarded
against the control of those who are
corrupt in principle, and the enemies
of free institutions; for 1t can only be
cone to our political and social system
safe conductor of healthy popular
sentiment, when kept free from demon
sliZing Influences, controlled through
frand aud usurpation by designing
men, anarchy aud despotism must inev
jtably follow. In the hands of the pa
triotic 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, that We weak
en- our system of government, instead
of adding to its strength and durability.
| Weld to no one in my att chment
to that rule of general suffrage which
a a
INIT there is a limit wisely observed
hitherto, which makes the ballot a
privilege and trust, and which requires
of some classes tune suitable Tor pro-
baton and preparation. To give 1t IA
discriminatory to new class wholly
unprepared by previous habits and OPP
portunities to perform the trust which
IL demands, is to degrade 1t and finally
70 destroy ITS power. For il may be
.fely assured that no political truth is
better established than that such indis
criminate and ali-embracing extension
of popular suffrage must end at last IN
its overthrow and destruction. / repeat
the expression of my willingness to JOIN
in ANYTHING within the scope OF our
constitutional authority which promises
to better the condition of the negroes
in the south by encouraging them IN
industry, enlightenment, the improve
ments of their morals, and giving pro-
I, ction to their Just rights as freedmen;
bur to transfer our political inherit
ance to them would. in my opinion, be
an abandonment of duty which we
owe alike to the memc~7 of our fathers
aud the rights of our children.
The plan of putting the southern
states wholly, and the federal govern
ment partially, into the hands of the
negroes, is proposed at time peculier
lv unpropitions. The foundations of
society have been, broken up by civil
war; industry must be recognized.
Justice re-established, the public credit
maintained, and order brought out of
confusion. To accomplish these ends
would require all the wisdom and
virtue of the great men who founded
cur institutions originally. 1 conf
IDENTIFY believe that their descendants
will be equal to the arduous task before
them, but it is worse than madness to
expect that the negroes will perform 1t
for US. Certainly We ought not to ask
their assistance until we despair of our
own competency. The great difference
between the two races in physical,
mental, and moral characteristics,
will prevent an amalgama-
ton and fusion of Them to-
gether in one homogeneous mass, If
the inferior obtains the ascendency over
the other, it will govern with reference
entirely to its own iuterest-for it viii
recognize no common interest-aDd
create such tyrsny as this continent
has never vet witnessed. Already the