The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-03-21
.THE FOLLY OF DIsFRANCHlsE-
MENT.v

Under the caption above the Springfield
(Mass.) Republican, one OF the ablest kepub-
iican journals in the country-a journal
which does not yield slavish obedience to
any party or clique in opposition to its better
judgment-has q pithy article, which We
copy below. The Republican recognizes the
truth that the consent Of the governed Is an
essential element in republican govern
ment, and that minority Of the intelligent
classes attempting to govern (using the ma
chnery Of such government as ours) like
attempting to move weight by taking hold
Of the wrong end Of the lever. II, having the
power to do it, you pronounce that the politi-
cal ideas Of large portion Of the citizens OF
State are wrong, and therefore forbid them
to exercise political power, although they
have important interests which are identical
with the interests Of all other citizens in the
State, the government Of that State will not
work we'll for any length Of time, and its
duration will be brief unless repressive meas
ures should be constantly used by the cen
trail power, or by some irresistible power
from the outside Here is the article from
our Springfield contemporary:
at would be a great help in reconstruc
ton projects If nobody was to make Gov
eminent for others that they would not live
under themselves. In fact, this was once
the idea Of American liberty, which we used
10 be attached to as principle. The worst
sign Of the times is the extent to which 1t Is
dropped.
and not those who administer them thai
make the character OF the community, anC
under this system the best part OF the popu
lation will be rapidly diminished. Nobod!
can feel for military ignorance and fore
that respect which Americans have for tn
law, and which used TO be regarded as tn
best protection for life and property. Tn
negroes are the only ones likely to be satlI
fed because never having known any la'
but the will OF their superiors, they hav
none Of this feeling. 1t is all perfectly ma
ural for them; whether they complain to th
master or the commandment all one. VIVA
ever they want or whatever they suffer, sue
is the weakness Of character engendered b
slavery they look to somebody else for r,
lief They have not the idea OF beneftin
their conditions by their own exertion
Even going to law is too much trouble, an
they will flock to the Bureau.
" w nat sort oil government 10 tnlS 8oln
to be which is made out Of what is weaket
and most inefficient? A government ougf
to be something strong, and there is som
truth in the nature Of things by which wha
is strongest will govern. We are strong a
home because our Government is built oil
principles exactly the opposite Of those W
propose to put in operation elsewhere.
our principles are good, our practice mus
come to naught. Consider whether matter
in this State would be improved by havin
the whole Republican party thrust out Of tn
Government And yet the Democrats eve
here have ten times the knowledge, cha
acter, intelligence and ability to make
respec able administration that is possesse
in the South by the elements that have u
speck or stain Of rebellion.
There can thus be no real, no true, n
lasting reconstruction in the South that doc
not include all classes of its people. Governc
Andrew had a true perception of the cas-
when, early in his efforts in this direction, b
advocated not only universal suffrage, bu
the securing of the active cooperation Of tn
more intelligent and influential citizens {
the South, without regard to their share
the rebellion, provided always, Of cours
they were now ready to stand by the Uno
and help in making it perpetual. We sha
have to come back to that before we g
through with the business. Disrranchis
ment is as great folly, as applied to Il
whites, as omission to cnfranchise is wicke
II hn