The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-10-22

chise in California; nor does she claim the right
to interfere in the domestic regulations of any
sister State of the Union. On the other hand
she makes her appeal to the people of all the
other States to concede to her, within the limits
of their common Constitution, the powers of con-
troll and those only which those States assert for
themselves. -.------
But throwing out of consideration the ques-
ton of right of the people of State, to frame
their State constitution according to their own
conceptions of the public good, is the measure
welfare to confer the right to vote in all popular
elections on the negro race with no other quail
fcations than those in contemplation? Is it not
perfectly manifest that it will not? The repre-
sentative republics of this country, with their
written constitutions, their divisions of power
into legislative executive or judicial departments,
and their introduction of the people to partici-
pate in and decide upon the rights and interests
of society," as voters and jurors, are looked for in
vain in other countries OF the world, and
founded upon the idea of certain standard OF
virtue and intelligence in the constituent body
Of electors, without which they cannot be main
tanned. Who among us believes, that the great
mass of the blacks recently in state of slavery
come up to this standard of virtue and intelli-
gence and are fit to be made self reliant electors!
In their condition to knowledge and
morality. the extension of the right of suffrage
to them unfortunately, instead of distributing
political power among greater number OF citi-
zens will in fact concentrate it in fewer hands;
as designing individuals will but enlarge their
own power by using them to vote, not their opin-
ions, but those of the men who control them
Already we learn that they have been extensive
ly organized into secret societies or leagues with
a view to be voted naassc, and under the IN
fuence of reudices carefully instilled into thcm
in opposition to the whites, who were formerly
| masters or may now be owners of property. 10
elect such a class to be permanent voters as is
now proposed to us, will be to make revolution
tending to anarchy. and to hazard, in my belief,
| the long continuance of any stable government.
Foreigners are barred out from the right to vote
for five years after settlement here, by our natu-
| ralization laws, in order that they may become
acquainted with our institutions, and capable of
| taking part in their administration and must
prove that during that time they have behaved
as persons of good moral character, and we'll dis
posed to the good order and happiness of the
country. The freedmen as class are less in
| formed than foreigners and less capable from
want of education and early instruction.
| But it may be said there is little disagree
ment among ourselves On this question, but Con-
gress has required it of us, and, in the event of
noncompliance, the most direful consequences
may be expected. This is an argument, which
| am not disposed to pass by, or treat lightly.
[ think some nisapprehension prevails in regard
to it. Congress certainly has denounced no
penalty such delinquency, in any of three
Acts of reconstruction After providing for the
establishment of Military Governments in the
ten Southern States the first of these acts goes
| on to declare that:
| ''When the people of any of said rebel States
shall have formed Constitution of Government in
conformity with the Constitution of the United States,
in all respects, framed by Convention of delegates
elected by the male citizens of said State, twenty
years old and upwards, of whatever race color or
previous condition, who have been residents in said
State for one year, previously to the day of such
election except such may be disfranchsed;" and
| ''When such Constitution shall provide that the
elective franchise shall be enjoyed by all such per-
sons as have the qualifications herein stated for
| electors of delegates and when and when, and
when certain other things shall occur las further
recited in the 9TH Section said State shall be de-
| clared entitled to representation in Congress and
Senators and Representatives shall be admitted there
| from, on taking the oath prescribed by law
This is the only provision touching the sub ject
matter under consideration, and its only intma-
ton is, that until there is fulGllment of the re-
quirements, the Military Government shall con-
| tinue. There have been threatening declara-
lions made by individual members Of Congress-
| and certain presses have teemed with fulmina-
tions against all who should hesitate in taking
Immediately the steps proposed, but Congress
as body, have established no penalty and made
no threats. The first reflection which occurs on
| hearing these announcements is, that it would
| be harsh measure and SAVIOR of injustice to re-
| quire people to vote in an election, and then
punish them for voting for the candidate
| (whether man measure, of their choice. And
further, that it would be still more unjust to
punish the people of North Carolina for failure
to make Constitution and establish basis of
suffrage which Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York
and other great and leading States of the North
have refused and still do refuse to establish for
themselves, though with far less cogent reasons
than prevail with us. The Constitution of Penn
sylyana, as re-Ordained in 1888, regulates stuff
rage in these words:
I'm elections by the citizens, every whate freeman
of the age of twenty years. having resided in this
offers to vote ten days Immediately preceding such
election and within two years paid a State or County
tar which shall have been assessed at least ten DAYS
before the election shall enjoy the rights of an cleo
| tor" sc.
| That of New York provides that
Every male citizen of the age of years
&C., shall be entitled to vote &c. But no man of
COLOR unless he shall have been for three wears a
of the State and for year next preceding
every election shall have been seized and possessed
OF freehold estate of the value of two hundred and
fifty dollars and above all debts and incum
brances charged thereon and shall have been ar
tually rated and paid thereon shall be entitled
| to vote at such election" &c.
That of Ohio, as follows:
Every white male citizen of the United States of
the age oftwentyone years. who shall have heen :.
| resident of the State year next preceding the
.lnfth c.