The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-23

the slightest symptom of d1scontent. How
are they now 2 They are free /; they may
arm themselves they are in the midst of
their race ready and able to help, and In a
country garrisoned with negro troops. 1t
will no longer be death to circulate among
them documents which speak to them of
their rights and dignity as men; and the
literature they shall read and hear read will
not be of a sort to diminish their spirit of
resistance Let but such legislation be I'M
dcrtaken, and let the collision ensue and
tell YOU. the fires that were kindled in st.
Domingo, when a similar attempt was made
there, will grow pale and dim before the
flames that shall light up our Southern hor
lion. The home of the negro must and will
be here He will still occupy the hills and
the valleys where he was born, still cultivate
the broad acres his hand has reclaimed from
the wilderness. Shall we live together as
friends, or shall we live as enemies?
There is another reason why think that
the extension of suffrage to the freedmen
will be conducive to national tranquility,
and that is, 1T wiU afford q neac element of
strength to the government. 1t will effect this
mainly in two ways. First, it will bring in
an accession of voters heartily loyal to the
Government to which they owe their free
dom, who will support national policy,
and who may be relied upon In any emer-
gency in peace or in war. Secondly, these
will act as check upon class not loyal at
heart to the Government.
I wish to be understood that do not
mean that the designs of this class will man.
ifest themselves in any violence against the
freedmen or the unionIsts. Neither do l dc
sire to be thought IL defamer of the State in
which 1 was bred and reared up from infan-
cy to manhood, and which shall be my fu-
ture home. But territorial boundaries do
not divide truth from error, nor do impreca-
lions upon the head OF the writer affect what
reason speaks.
The recent Rebellion was fought out with
a desperation unexampled in history. A re-
morseless CONSUMPTION robbed the cradle
and the grave" to fill the ranks. The poo
pie were taxed, impressed, and plundered to
furnish food. The soldiers in the army were
halffcd and halfclothed, and the families of
many were suffering for the necessaries of
life. For four long years we were stretched
upon the rack with now and then an audi
BILE groan, but few daring to whisper the
real cause of our agony. And to what end but
that confederacy founded upon slavery
might take its seat among the nationsl IT
this could be accomplished, it were well
worth all the toll and sorrow. The chiefs
saw golden visions in the future. Glory and
honor awaited them; there were the laurels
of victory, and the laurels of civil office
Southern chivalry was to sparkle IN the
courts of Europe. Southern beauty was to
grace the drawing of St. James, and
shed lustre hpon imperial balls at the Hotel
de Vile. The Slayeocracy was to 60 on
working out its favouritc form Of govern
ment in the several States. and, with Cotton
for king, was to be the richest people upon
earth. But how are the mighty fallen and
the weapons of war persisted Defeated,
crushed, and Inundated, ruined in hope,
and ruined in fortune, what passion might
we not reasonably expect would be tine
spring of their future policy ? Gaul did
not love Rome, nor do the Poles love the
Autocrat. Can we expect these, then, to
love the Government which has been COM
PEELED to reduce them to this extremity 3
Will they not be acise as serpents, and 6ide their
time stealthily carrying out the programme
of Sanders card or listening for the French
bugles on the Rio Grande!
When the rebel States are admitted, they
will be entitled to from fifteen or twenty ad-
ditionai members of Congress. If the loyal
blacks are excluded from the ballot-box,
there will be no difficulty in saying before
hand what will be the complexion of the
delegations. Where the spirit of rebellion
existed before, it still exists. If defeat has
broken its power, it has only achetted its re-
reage The first lesson that shall be taught
to thousands of unborn infants will be Sc
crct curse upon the American flag. and upon
the men who bore it to victory. Men will be
elected upon the ground of their former de
votion to disunion and their prosecution of
the war. Having the balance of power, as
they will, what corrupt combinations may
not be formed, and how soon may we not
have to fight again the battle for national
existence? The few who remained faithful
will be dumb their voices will not be heard
in your national councils.
JUSTICE OF THE MEASURE.
I shall assign but two principal reasons
why national Justice requires that this right
should be granted. And L do not see how it
is possible to say any thing to enforce them
beyond their bare announcement.
Whoever pays a tar to the support Of GoC-
ernHaet should hare q roice in ats ddministra-
ton. Take, for example, the free colored men
in Louisiana. For number of years they
have been paying taxes on property valued
at more than fifteen millions of dollars Are
these to have no hand in the appropriation
of the public money! Are the revenues de-
rived from the fruits of their labor to be cx-
pended without their voice being heard, or,
perhaps, even turned against them for their
oppression
The second is equally self-evident; and it
is, Whosoercr fights. far the Government should
hace Uoice IN its Administrations. General
Jackson called the negroes Fellow citizens"
and they helped to swell his ranks in his
most memorable campaign. They ralliedto
the national defence in the late struggle, with
what gallantry and devotion let Port Hud
son tell
If we do not recognize the principle that
he who fights or pays should enjoy the right
of suffrage, then indeed is republicanjsm
delusion. Away with your boosted constitu-
ton, away with the solemn mockcry of lip
service to the Declaration of Independence
Let us have at last the manhood to repudiate
avowedly the teachings of our fathers in
which we affect to take pride, and seek on"
lessons of political wisdom in the British,
House of Lords.
APPEAL TO CONGRESS-
If [ could reach the ear of Congress, I
would appeal to them to Danish prejudice,
and consider the question in the pure ligh t
of reason. Color is a matter of taste; anCs,
although the negro be at present general Y
inferior, yet he is as capable rs thousand
and thousands who swell the vote in our
towns and cities. The objection of ignor-
ance has been as strongly urged against al
lowing free suffrage to the white man. If
Congress desires TO prevent future agitation;
to render the freedman peaceful and content
Al.