The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-01-16

Gradual and harmonious Introduction Of
Ella nav elemen,into the political power
az the country. 1t cannot be urged thai the
pronosed extension Of suffrage inthe Dis
trict ~ Columbia is necessary 70 enable
psrsons OF color to protect either their ia-
ferests or their rights. They stand here
precisely as they stand in Pennsylvania.
ohio and Indiana. Here. as elsewhere IN
all That pertains TO civil rights, there -
nothing to distinguish this class ofpsrsons
from citizens of the Omitted States. Tor
they possess the full and equal benefit OF all
laws and proceedings for the security OF
versions aud property as is enjoyedb by white
citizens, and are made. subject 70 like pun.
ishment, pains and penalties. and none 9TH
er. adv law. statute, ORDINANCE, regulation
or custom 10 the contrary Notwithstanding.
Nor. As has been assumed. are their sui
irasss necessary to aid loyal sentiment
here, for local government already exists
ofundoubted feafy 10 the Government, and
is sustained BIZ community. which were
among the irst to testify their devotion to
the Union, and which. during the struggle,
furnished their full quotas Of men to the
military service of the country The exer-
else OF the elective franchise is the highest
attribute Of an American citizen, and when
guided BY virtue, intelligence. patriotism,
and proper appreciation OF our lnstltu-
lions, constitutes The true basis oi Demo-
cratic form of Gosernment, 10 which me
sovereign power is lodged IN the body OF
the people. lis influence for good necessa-
rily depends upoa The elevated character
and patriotism Of the eiecter; Tor u exer-
cised BY persons. who do not Justly esti-
mate It's value, and who ars Indifferent as
10 its results. il will only prove means OF
placing power in the hands OF the unpriaci-
,pled and ambitious, anc must eyentuate. IN
The complete destruction Of that liberty Of
which il should be the nest powerful con.
serrator. Great jasger is therefore 70 be
apprebended from an untimely extension
OF The elective traHchise to any new class
in our country. especially when . large ma
iority or that class. in welding the power
thus placed in their hands. cannot be ex-
.pected correctly 10 comprehend the duties
and responsibilities which periainio suffrage.
Yesterday, as it we're, 1000, 600 Of persons
were held 10 a condition Of slavery, that had
existed for generations; to-day they are Tree.
men, and are assumed BY law 10 be citizens.
ii cannot be presumed from their previous
condition oil srrviiude that, Is a race. they
are a. well inlprmed as 20 the nature ol our
Government as tie intelligent foreigner
who makes our lai d the home OF his chuice.
in .he case OF tn latter. neither residence
oil FIVE years, and The knowledge Of our In
stitoiions which il gives. nor attachReBt
70 The principles of he Constitution. are
the only conditions upon which he can be
admitted 10 citizenship; he must prove. 10
additions goDd moral character. and thus
give. reasonable grounds foe the belief that
he will be faithful 90 The obligations which
be assumes as a citizen oil The. Republic.
Where people, the source Of al political
power, speak by their suffirages through the
instrumentslity Of the ballot tox. il must
, be carefully guarded against The control Of
those who are corrupt IN principle AMI enc.
Giies 81 free institutions, for il can only be
come TO our political and social system =
safe Conductor ofhealthy popular sentiment
when kept free from demoralizing InHu
encss. Controlled through fraud aud usur'
pstion BY the designing, and despotis N
must inevitably iuiisw. In the hands Of
the patriotic and worthy, our GoserLmen,
will be preserved mon The principles o
the Constitution inhrrlted from ouf fathers
IL follows. therefore, that in admitting q
the ballot bJx new class Of voters. Bol
qualified for The exercise Of the elective
franchise. we weaken our system uf Gov.
ernmsnt. instead Of addisg " its strength
and durability.
ITO Be Co. <'uded.1
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