The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-10-05
SUFFRAGE

Not the least of the many complicated
and perplexing questions that have come
m the heels of the rebellion, is that of
suffrage. Many of them are abstract,
this complex. Some come before the
people. or their representatives, for adj
Indication, and that ends them, but this
effects the composition of the Court it
self. Il will not be questioned that it is
desirable the system of suffrage should
be harmonious and similar in all the
States we hold that it is an imperative
necessity in the spirit of our institutions.
We now have in the late rebellious
States, in the Territories and the Dis
trict of Columbia, suffrage unrestricted
by race, color orprevious condition. The
remainder of the States, with one or TWO
exceptions, adhere TO their established
usage, and the question of manhood suf-
frage is now the principal issue in some
Of the State elections. Wisconsin and
Kansas will soon have decided upon the
question of female suffrage. Michigan
has lately disfranehised prize fighters,
and the Constitutional Convention of
the same State decided that all Indians
in that State should be voters. Should,
therefore, any of the Northern States
reject manhood suffrage, and Kansas and
other Western States adopt female suf-
frage. the question will become a very
complicated one. A clause in the Con
stitution declares that the citizens of
each State shall be entitled to all the
privileges and immunities of citizens in
the different States" but under this un-
equal system a mans or a wOman's priv
ueges may be abridged as much Ly a
removal OF a few rods across a State
line as though be had removed TO for
eign Government, and disavowed ale
glance. This is a condition of affairs not
to be desired. The bestowal of the right
Of suffrage, irrespective of race or color,
in the District of Columbia, was an ex-
pertinent, in the South il was a neces-
sity. The revivification of rebellion, un-
der the auspices of My Policy" re-
quired a counteracting influence, or the
domination and elevation of those TO
high places who had scarce returned
from the rebel camps and councils. 1t
was no time to quibble over details and
quaIifcations-it was cut the mast or
sink the ship. When it came to the
question of the Territories, consistency,
irrespective of any other consideration,
demanded that wherever Congress had
authority, the privileges and immunities
should be equal. The entire idea was
radical innovation upon the prejudices
and established usages of the country.
It was approved by some for its inherent
qualities of right, justice and Democrat
ic equality: by others, who saw proper
10 cOnciliate the seven hundred thou
sand voters who were hereafter TO be
manipulated. 1t was opposed by some
from prejudice, selfishness, and an intui-
tive premonition of 4 power that would
be potent against their partisan schemes;
by others, who held that rapidly e1-
tending and patriotic idea. that the safe
", perpetuity, grandeur and welfare of
the Republic depended upon an elevation
Of the standard of qualifications for him
who casts the ballots, controlling and
Perpetuating this great experimental
Government And so from all parties
comes approval and disapproval, the mo-
tives varying as widely as the systems
advocated. That Ohio and New Jersey
viii reject manhood suffrage, and that
Kansas and Wisconsin will add female
suffrage 10 the red mans investiture
with the ballot in Michigan, are about