The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-22
Northern Reconstruction.


SENATE CHAMBER, April 30, 1867
My Dear Sfr-1ou wish to have the North ar
constructed, at least that it shall cease to DENY Il
elective franchise account Of color. But you pos
pone the day by insisting on the preliminary of COZ
sttuonal amendment, ] know your vows to Il
good cause; but ask you to make haste We ca
not wait
OF course we can always wait for the needfll prt
cesses; but there at present why We shout
Rliow 10 time to be lost This question must be Sc
tied without delay. In other words it must be settle
before the Presidential election which is at hane
Our coored fellow citizens at the South are alread
voters They will vote at the Presidential election
But why should they vote at the South ard not at tn
North? The rule of justice is the same for both
Their votes needed at the North as well "a a
the South. There Northern States where thei
votes will be like the last prcponderant weight in tn
nicely balanced scales. Let colored fellow citizen
vote in Maryland and that State, now so severed
tried, will be fixed for human rights forever. LIE
them vote in Pennsylvania, and you will give NOR
than twenty thousand votes to the Republican cause
Let them vote in Few York, and the scales which
bang 80 doubtful, will incline to the Republican cause
by way OF example. But everywhere the old pro
slavery party will kick the beam Let all this be done
say, before the next Presidential election
Among the ways proposed of doing it is by new
constitutional amendment. But this is too diatorv
It cannot become operative until after the Presidential
ing the constitution read it.
Another way is by moving each State, and obtain
ing through local legislation what is essentially right
OF citizenship But this again is too datory, while
it turns each State into political malstrom and sub
,nits question of national interest to the chances OF
local controversy and the midity of local politicians
This will not do. Emancipation was national act
and applicable to all the States. Enfranc hisemert
which is the corollary and complement of emancipa-
ton, must be national act Also proceeding from the
national Government and applicable to all the States
IF it be left to the States individually the result be-
sides being tardv, will be uncertain and fragmentary
There Is another way, which is at once prompt, en-
crgetic and comprehensive 1t is by act of Congress-
adopted by majority of two-thrds in spite of Pres
ideutial veto. The time has passed when this power
be questioned. Congress has already exercised
in the rebel States do not forget its hestatiops
Only year ago. when insisted that it must do so,
and introduced bill to this effect was answered
that constitutional amendment was needed aud
voted down. A change came, and in happy
moment Congress exercised the power. What patriot
questions it now? But the power is unquestionable
in the other States also 1t the right of cti-
zensp, and this subject is essentially national
the army or the navy
Even without either of the recent constitutional
amendments, am ct loss to understand how de-
1ia of the elective franchise simply on account of
color, can be otherwise than unconstitutional / can
mot how, under national constitution which does
H.,
can be any exclusion account of color There is no
exclusion in the constitution Out of what text this
@gafcutca pretension derived? But, putting aside
tis question: which will be clearer to the iursts of
thc nezs generation than to Us, voucb the agtLorta-
gre words Of the constitution making it duty to
EJ"Eautae republican form Of government in the
HUtcs. Now the greatest victory Of the war; to which
III othcr victories; whether in Congress in the
bloody field only tributary, the definition of
rcpab'ican government according to the principles
uf the Declaration of Independence. A government
which denies the elective franchise account of color
OF, in other words, sets up any qualifications of
voters in their nature insurmountabe, not be re-
publican; for the first principle in a republican gov
Il equality Of rights according to the De-
caration of Independence. And this definition, ]
insist, is the GROWING result of the which beat
down the rebellion under its feet. 1t Only remains
for Congress to enforce it by appropriate legislation
But there two recent constitutional amend
mcnts, each Of which furnishes ample and cumulative
power.
There is, first, the amendment abolshing slavery,
with its clause comforting Congress the power to
enforce it by appropriate legislation in pursuance of
which Congress has already passed the clV rights act
whcl is applicable the North well the South
Clearly and most obviously beyond all question, if it
can pass civil rights act it also pass political
rights act for each is appropriate to enforce the abo
lition Of slavery and TO complete this work. Without
it the work is only half done.
lhere Is yet anottlef amenQment recently auOpteQ
by three -fourts of the loyal States which is itself
abundant Of power. After declaring that all
persons born naturaised il the United States and
subject the jurisdiction thereof citizens this
proceeds to provide that "no State shall |
make or enforce any law Which shall abr:dge the priv
ileges inmunities Of citizens Of the United States
and Congress is empowered to enforce this provision
by appropriate legislation. Nothing be palmer
than this.
Here then, are three different fountains Of power
in the constitution ITSELF each sufficient the three
gcther three times sufficient; each exuberant and
interchangeable three together three times exuber
ant and overfowing. How, in the face of these pro-
Visions any person doubt the power Of Congress
Icannot understand. But alas, there are doubters
always.
have already sent you a copy of my bill 10 set
tie this question by what call " the short CUT Give
US your vote. OF course you will.
Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER,
Theodore Tilton, Esq.
Yes. Mr. Sumner has our vote. He has always
had it; he is always likely to have it. How did
Rodger Sherman rote?' asked our forefathers. They
believed it was safe to vote with Rodger Sherman 1t
Is Just as safe to vote with Charles Sumner During I
uniformly right conspicuously single minded,
none stnbbornly uncompromising as the author Of
his letter. Therefore let heed be given to what he
lys.
Long ago we proposed, ana at various times SINCE
rave urged an amendment to the federal constitution
establishing equal civil and political rights in all the
states--both for whites and blacks; both for North
md South Mr.. Sumner, seeking the same. end, pro-
poses different means. Instead of an amendment to
be constitution, he urges law Of Congress. How
my person. lie SAYS, "can doubt the power Of Con
,ress can not understand Mr. Sumner knows that /
re do not doubt the power of Congress- not at all.
Dur doubt is not OF its power, but of its courage. lis
,ower is undcniable Both civil and political rights |
low from one and the fount. If Congress had /
my power to enact civil, it las equal power to enact
,ooa rights. It has, thus far established civil but
eglec,ed TO establish political rights. Nr. Sumner
properly asks il to complete its duty BY establishing
10Th.
What need, then. Of an amendment Ct the cons I
ution
Suppose both civil and political rights TO be duly
ccreed u act Of Congress. We shall still ask for the
mendment We cannot help considering that all the
tights of American citizens whether civil POLITICAL
re on stronger foundation when written in plain and
irect terms III an amended constitution, than when,
8 now they are nferentially deduced from the more
asue statements of the present constitution by ex
anatory aid supplemental acts Of Congress. 1t is
0 make assurance doubiy sure that We have asked,
nd shall continue to ask, for such an amendment.
borrower, We do not agree with our distinguished
-icnd that such amendment could not be triumph
ntly and speedily adopted ca the contrary, We be-
ere The country is amply ready for it. This opinion
4a,ba. IL, q 1