The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-25
"UnlversaI Amnesty"
From The World.


Mr. Greeley has no advice of the reported
nomination except through the Journals as he
certainly had no intimation or suspicion that
MS name would be sent to the Senate for any
post whatever. He could not accept this place
had the alleged nomination been unanimously
at least until every State disorganized by revolt
shall have been restored to her normal position
In the Union-if possible, on the basis of uni
Yersal amnesty coupled with impartial suffrage,
On the eve of new Presidential canvass, in SO
momentous an exigency, he would regard any
months abroad as at least but honorable ban
lshment. And, while he will not decline nomi-
nations that have not been rendered him he
Office Tribune. ava
We regard it as fortunate for the character
of the American press that Mr.. Greeley and
Mr. Raymond have abjured aspirations for
office, and decided to give their time to their
respective journals. We shall doubtless differ
from them often; but all journalists have a
common interest in the responsibility of their
profession, which depends upon the respecta-
bility of those who exercise it.
AS we believe the sincerity, we cannot
doubt the persistence of Mr., Greeley in the
cause of universal amnesty: his advocacy of
which, IN the face of formidable and scOruful
oppo sltlon IN his own party, does credit to
his head, his heart, and his moral courage.
Cl-
pie attests not only his sincerity, but his
sense OF its importance-an estimate in which
1t is needless to say that we concur although
we are far enough from elevating negro suf
frage to the same rank
But negro suffrage being probably, in the
Southern States, inevitable we consent to
couple the two measures-not however. like
Mr.. greeley, as Joint ingredients of a healing
medicine, but as poison and antidote. With
breed infinite mischief, lead to war of races,
and cause the determination of one or the
other, unless the Federal Government. at
great expense, maintains armies in the South
to preserve the peace. Universal amnesty
rises, therefore, in the present conjuncture, to
question OF the first magnitude. 1t seems to
us that no patriot who duly estimates its i'm
pOrtance can excuse himself for not making il
the basis OF strenuous appeals to public
opinion, to be kept up until they are COM
pletely successful. We trust the Tribune will
advocate the emancipation of the Southern
whites with the same zeal, vigilance and eff
cheney with which it has so doggedlv advo-
Gated the emancipation of the Southern blacks.
IA Universal amnesty is not a mere question
of magnanimity or philanthropy-th in
that view it is worth cOnsidering-but II is
made, by irreversible circumstances, a cues.
ton of the gravest public policy. 1t concerns
not merely the disiranchised individuals, but
the general welfare of the whole country. II
is inevitable, if existing disabilities are CON
tinued, that the politics of the South will fall
under the control of the negroes. Even before
the late session of Congress, quite a propor-
ton OF the whites entitled to register declined
the privilege. The returns almosteverywhere
showed preponderance of blacks. Since the
passage of the new bill, the Southern people
are more discouraged and listless than before,
and are likely to surrender the whole business
of reorganization into the hands of the negroes
and the radicals. The consequence will be,
the organization of negro governments.
As the Constitutional Conventions will
mainly represent negro constituencies, thew
will OF course make the negroes equally eligi- |
BILE to every office, as well as equal participants
in the elective franchise. We shall then see
negro Governors, negro Judges, negro Legisla-
lures, negro Senators and Representatives to
Congress, and negro holders of the countless
inferior offices necessary for carrying on the
government OF State Every white man who
has a vote to offer at the polls, or a debt to
collect, or deed to record, or a complaint TO
make to Justice of the peace, or a tax to pay.
or a lawsuit TO conduct, will be brought into
contact with official incapacity shielding itself
under negro insolence. But the whites. out
numbering the negroes, and heartily despising
their insolence will not submit to it for day
after the military pressure is removed.
The consequence will be bloody conflict of
the two races all over the South, or else a re-
call OF the Federal troops for the preservation
of order. But military repression will only |
cause the hatred to shoulder like closed fur