Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-27
RESTORATION.
Proposed Compromise On the Basis of
Qualified Negro suffrage, Etc, Ete.

/ EEtk1oSE0 AOAas1ffhA1hSe 0t1 tAse Ls2Sae q
Qualified Negro suffrage, Etc, Ete.
Special Dispatch 10 the Cincinnati Enquirer
WAsHIEGroN, Jan. 23.-Early IN No
yember last informed you that the lead.
I ing politicians Of the North and SOHth
/ Republicans, Democrats, and ex-Rebels
/ alike, had been in conference upon a plsr
whereby, should it be adopted, il was be
| lieFed the unfortunate differences between
the Executive and Legislative branches Of
the government, would be satisfactorily ad-
justed, and I also Informed you that these
gentlemen were Urging the President to
adopt this scheme and recommend it to the
favorable cJnsideration Of the South.
Suffrage and amnesty formed the basis OF
that proposition. Mr.. Johns on gave to the
suggestions Of these patriotic gentlemen the
most careful and sincere consideration, and
wasaf once favorably impressed with them
but inasmach 'as the amendment to the
constitution was then before the people
and its adoption or rejection undecided, the
President deemed it imPolitic, If not abso-
lutely improper to present the matter to the
country, believing as he does, and has acted
upon this belief, the assertion TO the con-
trary notwithstanding, that the Southern
PEOPLE should decide upon the proposed
amendment, and without LIT or hindrance
from the Executive
The time has arrived when il may be safely
assumed that the constitutional amendment
win fail to receive the approval of any one
OF the Southern States and upon this as
sumption Mr.. johnson ia considering the
propriety Of giviRg his approval to the
main features Of the scheme trst above
mentioned, and its adoption by The South
ern States, in Difference 70 the demand of
the people of the North, ard in which South
ern representative men, who have been heard
upon the subject, acquiesce.
The President thinks that the negro pop
Glation of the South should have such safe
guards thrown about them as to secure 10
them the permanent enjoyment of their
freedom, and of all civil rights. The ne
gro, armed with the ballot, can as well pro-
tect himself as any other cidzen. As Mr.,
johnson interprets the constitution, he
does not discover any power in the general
government to legislate upon the subject of
suffrage in the States, IN which rests the ex-
elusive control of the ilatter
Some of the Northern States, Massachu-
setts and New York for example, have
given the ballot to the negro. In one Of
them ia an educational, in the other a pro-
perty qualification, and it is asked why
may rot South Carolina, for instance, be
placed upon the same footing as Massa-
chusetts, as to those who shall hereafter be
admitted to the elective franchise? and
why may not the loyal representatives of
the former be admitted to Congress upon
the same footing as the representatives Of
the later?
Working out this plan in a practical
form Let the people of the State of South
Carolina 10 amend their constitution and
laws as 20 extend the elective franchise so
far as Massachusetts has done. As an in
centiYe to this reform, the President inti-
mates his readiness to issue proclamation
of amnesty to all the people ofSouth Caro-
lima who may have approved the move
ment This reform being accomplished,
the people of that State elect loyal repre-,
sentatiYes to Congress--blaCks voting with
whites as indicated above. 1t would then
rest with Congress to determine whether
these Representatives should be admitted.
have good reason for saying that the
plan for adjusting the existing difficulties
in the way of reconstruction is now receiv
ing the serious consideration of the Admin
istration, and has been discussed in Cabinet
with a view to its adoption. 1t differs
from Mr.. Greeley 3 amnesty suffrage
in this it provides for separate State ac-
ton, and proposes a qualified suffrage, and
il leaves intractieable and unrepeatant
Rebels still subject to the penalties for
fFeaHon
Amnesty and suffrage, each being quail
fed, il leaves States to the exercise of their
constitutional prerogative of prescribing
the qualifications of voters, and extending
the elective franchise to the negro to the
Executive, the dispensation Of pardon and
amnesty, and TO the Legislative the admis-
sion Of loyal representatives, to the respect
i've houses of Congress-each branch of the
government thus harmoniously moving in
its appropriate sphere. -.