The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-12-13

than their ancestors, how to organize
and regulate civil society. Indeed, it
is admitted that the blacks of the South
are not only regardless of the rights of
property. but so utterly ignorant of
bubble affairs, that their voting can con-
s;st of nothing more than carrying a
ballot to the place where they are di-
rccteG to deposit it. | need not re-
mind YOU that the exercise of the cleo
tive franchise is the highest attribute
| of an American citizen, and that, when
guided by virtue, intelligence, patriot
ism, and proper appreciation of our
free institutions, it constitutes the true
basis of a democratic form of govern
ment, in which the sovereign power is
lodged in the body of the people a
trust artificially created, not for its own
sake. but solely as a means of promot-
ing the general welfare. Its influence
for good must necessarily depend upon
the elevated character and true alle-
giance of the electon 1t ought, there
fore, to be rep0sed in none except those
who are fitted morally and mentally
to administer it well for, if conferred
upon persons who do not Justly esti-
mate its value, and are Indifferent as
Z
means of placing power in the hands Of
the unprincipled and ambitious, and
must eventuate in the complete de-
StructiOn of that liberty of which it
should be the most powerful conServa-
tor. | have, therefore, heretofore urged
upon YOUR attention the great danger
to be apprehended from an untimely
extension of the elective franchise to
any new class in our country, eSpec-
tally when the large majority Of that
class, in welding the power thus plac-
ed in their hands, cannot be expected
correctly to comprehend the duties and
responsibilities which pertain to suf-
frage. Yesterday, as it were, four mil
lions Of persons were held in a cOndi-
ton of slavery, that had existed for
generations. To-day they are freemen,
and are assumed by law to be citizens.
1t cannot be presumed, from their pre-
ViOuS condition of Servitude, that, as a
class, they are as well informed as to
the nature of our Government as the
intelligent foreigner who makes our
land the home of his choice. In the
case of the latter, neither a residence of
five years, and the knowledge of our in
stitutiOnS which it gives, nor attach
ment to the principles of the COnstitu-
ton, are the only conditions upon
which he can be admitted to citizen
ship. He must prove, in addition, a
good moral character, and thus give
reasonable ground for the belief that
he will be faithful to the obligations
which he assumes as a citizen of the
Republic. Where people, the source
of all political power, speak, by their
ouffrages, through the ballOt-boX, it
must be carefully guarded against the
control Of those who are corrupt in
principle and enemies of free inStitu-
tiOnS, for it can only become to our po-
litical and social system safe cOnduc-
tor OF healthy popular sentiment when
kept free from demoralizing influences.
Controlled through fraud and usurpa-
ton, by the designing, anarchy and
deSpOtism must inevitably follow. In
the hands of the patriotic and worthy
our Government will be preserved up
on the principles of the Constitution
inherited from our fathers. 1t follows,
therefore, that in admitting to the bal
lOt-bOX a new class of voters not quail
Iied for the exercise Of the elective fran
chiSe, we weaken our system of govern
ment instead of adding to its strength
and durability. yield to no one in
attachment to that rule Of general suf-
frage which distinguishes our policy as
Il nation. But there is limit, wisely
observed hitherto, which makes the
ballot a privilege and a trust, and
which requires of some classes a time
suitable for probation and preparation.
To give it indiScriminately to a new
class, wholly unprepared by previous
habits and opportunities to perform
the trust which it demands, is to de-
grade it and finally to destroy its pow
er, for it may be safely assumed that
no political truth is better established
than that such indiScriminate and all
embracing extension Of popular suf-
frage must end at last in its overthrow
and destruction.
| repeat the expression of my will
ingneSS to join in any plan within the
scope Of our constitutional authority,
which promises to better the condition
of the negroes in the South by encOur-
aging them in industry, enlightening
their minds, improving their morals,
and giving protection to all their just
rights as freedmen; but the transfer OF
our political Inheritance to them would,
H.,
duty which we owe alike to the memo
~ of our fathers and the rights of our
children. The plan of putting the
southern States wholly, and the Gen
eral Government partially, into the
hands Of negroes, is proposed at time
peculiarly unlrOpitiOus. The found L
tionS Of sOcie,y have been broken up Dy
civil war; industry must berecOgnlZed;
Justice re-established; public credit
maintained, and order brought out OF
confusion. TO accomplish these ends
would require all the wisdom and Vir-
tue Of the great men who formed our
institutions originally. [ confidently
believe that their descendants will be
equal to the arduOuS task before them,
bat it is worse than madness to expect
that the negroes will perform it for us.
Certainly we ought not to ask their as
sistance until we despair of our own
competency. The great difference be-
tween the two races in physical, men
tai and moral characteristics will pre-
vent an amalgamatiOn OrfusiOn Ofthem
together in one homogeneous mass.
If the inferior obtains the ascendancy
over the other it will govern with ref
erence only to its own interests, for 1t
will recognize no common interest, and
create such a tyranny as this continent
has never yet witnessed. Already the
negroes are influenced by promise OF
confscation and plunder they are
taught to regard as an enemy every
white man who has any respect for the
rights of his own race. If this contln-
ues it must become worse and worse,
until all order will be subverted, all in
dustry cease, and the fertile fields o1