Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-07

sources which, If not thrown away or Ia
meniably misdrected, would secure TO il a
long course OF prosperity and self government"
Three years had not elapsed when Congress
vas called upon TO determine the propriety OF
reiroceding TO Maryland and Virginia the ju-
spectively reiinq uished to the Government OF
the United States. 1t was urged, on the one
hand, that exclusive jurisdiction was not ne
cessary or useful 10 the e9overnment that 1t de-
pr'Ned he inhabitants of the District OF their
political rights; hat much OF the time Of Con-
gress was consumed in legislation pertaining
to 1t; that its government was expensive; thai
Congress was not competent to legislate for
the District, because the members were
strangers 10 its local concerns; and that IL
was an example OF a government without rep
resentation- AN experiment dangerous to the
liberties Of the States. On the other hand, IL
was held, among other reasons, and success
fully, that the Constitution, the acts of cession
OF virginia and Maryland and the act of Con-
gress accepting the grant, all contemplated
the exercise OF exclusive legislation by Con-
gress, and that its usefulness, If not its neces-
sity, was inferred from the Inconvenience
which was felt tor want Of il by the Congress
OF the Confederation: that the people them
selves, who il was said had been deprived of
Their political rights, had not complained and
did not desire reUocession: that the evil
might be remedIed by giving them a represen-
tauon in Congress when the District should
become sufficiently populous, and in the mean
time local legislature; that il the inhabitants
had not political rights, they had great poIit-
ical influence; that the troub BILE and expense Of
legIslating for the District would not be great,
but would dimIpish, and might in a great
measure be avoided by a local legislature: and
that Congress could not retrocede the iuhablt-
ants without their consent Continuing to live
substantially under the laws that existed at
the Time OF me cession, and such changes only
having beeh made as were suggested by them.
selves, the people of the District have not
sought, by local legislature that which has
eress of the nation.
As general rule, sound policy requires that
Inc Legislature should yield to the wishes of a
people, when not inconsis tent with the Con sti-
tuition and the laws. The measures suited to
one community might not be well adapted TO
the condition of another; and the persons best
qnaiihed TO determine such questions are those
whose interests are to be directly affected by
any proposed law. In Massac usetts, tor in
stance, male persons are allowed TO vote with
"ut regard to color, provided they possess a
certain degree Of intelligence. In a population
in that State OF 1,23l066, there were. by the
census OF 1860, only 9,6G2 persons of color, and
OF the males over twenty years of age there
were 339,JS6 white to 1902 colored. By the
same official enumeration, there were in the
District Of Columbia 81, 764 whites TO a. 3I6 per-
sons OF the colored race. Since then, however
me population OF the District has largely in
creased, and 1t is estimated that at the present
time there are nearly a hundred thousand
whites TO Thirty thousand negroes The cause
OF the augmented numbers of the latter class
needs no explanation. Contiguous to Nary-
land and Virginia, the District during the war
became place of refuge for those who escaped
from serVitude, and 1t is yet the abiding p lace
1 OF considerable proportion of those who
sought within its limits a shelter from bond
age. Until then held in slavery, and denied
all opportunities for mental culture, their first
knowiedge OF the Government was acquired
Wnen, by conferring upon them freedom. it
became the benefactor of their race: the test of
their capability for improvement began when
Ior me hrst time. the career of free industry
ana the avenues to intelligence Were opened 70
them. Possessing these advantages but a linn.
Ited tlme.the greater mum Der, perhaps, having
entered the District of Columbia during the
later years OF the war or since its termination
we may well panse TO inquire whether after
so brief probation, they are, as a class ca
pabie OF an intelligent exercise of the right of
OF omci position. The people who are daily
witnesses of their mode OF living, and who
nave become familiar with their habits of
thought, have expressed the con yiction that
they are not yet competent to serve as electors.
and thus become eligible for office in the local
governments under which they live Clothed
WIN the eleetve franchise, their numbers, al
ready largely in excess Of the demand for labor
would be soon increased by an inf u from the
adjoining States. Drawn from fields where
employme is abundant, they would in vain
seek IL here and go add TO the embarrassments
already experienced from the large class of
idle persons congregated in the District Hard
ly yet capable of forming correct judgements
upon the important questions that often make
the issues of a political contest, they could
readily be made su ubservIent to the purposes of
designing persons. While in Massach setts,
white 10 colored males over twenty wears of
age was one hundred and thirty to one. here
the black race constitutes nearly one.third of
the entire population, whilst the same class
surrounds the District on all sides, ready to
chanRe their residence at q moments notice.
and with all the facility Of q nom adic people
In order to enjoy here, after short reside nee,
privilege they find nowhere else II is with.
IN Their power, in one year, to come into the
District In such numbers as to have the su.
preme control Of the white race. and TO govern
han hp holr fvf,a~
of all the municipal authority-amonR the
rest, OF the power of taxation over property I'm
which they have no interest. In Massacnu-
sets. where they have enjoyed the benefits of
a thorough educational system, q Quaiif1 cation
OF intelligence Is req uired, while here suffrage
Is extended 10 all, without discrimination, as
well TO the most incapable, who can prove
residence IN the District of one year, As TO tnees
persons of color, who, comparatively few in
number, are permanent Inhabitants, and hay-
ing gwen evidence Of merit and qualification,
are recognized as useful and responsible mem.
bers OF the community. Imposed upon an uu-
willing people, placed. by the Constitution,
under the exclusive legislation Of Congress, it
would be viewed rs an arbitrary exercise of
power, and as an indication by the country of
the purpose Of Congress to compel the accep.
tance Of negro suffrage by the States. Ii would
tween the two races, which, becoming deep-
rooted and ineradicable, would prevent them
from living together in state of mutual,
1riendliness. Carefully avoiding every meas
NJ.
and following The clear and we'll ascertained
popular will, we should asxiduously endea yor
TO promote kindly relations between them, and
thus, when that popular will leads the way,
prepare for the gradual and harmonious intro,
duetlon OF this new element into the political
power OF the country.
II cannot be urged that the proposed exten.
sion ofsunrage in the District Of Coiu m bia is
necessary TO enable persons Of color to protect
either their interests or their rights. They
stand here precisely as they stand in Pennsyi-
yania, Ohio, and Indiana. Here. as elsewhere,
IN all that pertains 70 civil rights, there is
nothing to distinguish this class of persons
from citizens of the United States; for they
possess the "fuli and ca uai benefit OF all laws
and proceedings Ior the security of person and
property as Is enjoved by white citizens" aud
are made "subject to like punishment pains,
and penalties, and to none other, any law. stat.
ute, ordinance, regulation, or custom to the
contrary Notwithstanding" Nor, as has been
assumed, are their sum ages necessary TO aid a
loyal sentiment here; for local governments al.
ready exist OF undoubted fealty to the Govern.
ment, and are sustained by comm mites which
were among the first to testify their devotion
to the Union, and which during the struggle
furnished their full quotas Of men to the mill.
tary service of the country. .~E
The exercise Of the elective franchise is the
highest attribute of an American citizen. and,
when guided by virtue, intelligence. patriot
ism, and proper appreciation of our institu-
uone, constitutes the true basis OF q demo.