The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-05-31
Educated Up to the Point.

Guucdteu Up U JIG foin'.
We hear great deal about educating the
people ''up to the point" and the casual oh.
server might very readily inquire what this cup
to the point means. To those, however, who
have given the 'pont'' more attention, the an
swer is easy. When the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1864 met it was found that the Repub-
lican members were largely in the majority and
the only object of the Convention being the reten-
ton of power in the State, and they having en-
tire control Of all its doings, they proceeded to
educate the people cup to the point" by dis
franchising enough white men to give them
selves what was supposed to be majority of
votes in the State, in all elections thereafter to
take place, having accomplished this desirable
object by the insertion of clause in the Consti-
tuition for this purpose, and by which it appear
ed to the, that the people we're Sufficiently ''ed-
ucated up to the point" and throwing all
the checks and guards around themselves and
their work which were deemed necessary, BY
the election of their Governor year ahead of the
usual time, and manY other means equally unu-
sualand extraordinary, they proceeded to put
their work together, which, as yet, was in frag-
ments among the several committees. The work
of collecting having commenced, they began the
first section of their Constitution as follows:
"Section AL elections shall he by ballot,
and every tDhie male citizen of the United States
OF the age OF twenty-one years or upwards, who
shall reside 10 the State one year next preceding
the election and six months in any county, or
in any legislative district oi Baltimore city, and
who shall comply with the provisions of this
Article of the Constitution, shall be entitled to
vote at all elections hereafter held in this
State"
Now, there is not one word about "nIanhood
suffrage in.what we have given above, from
the Constitution, or in any other part of the in
strument although it was made less than three
years ago. They had then the control of every
State office and appointment, and by means Of
the Registry Law, of nearly every county, and
that in reality is what educating the people ''up
to the point" means, and no hing else.
lfnesro suffrage is right now, it was just as
right in 1864, and the reason that prevented its
adoption then would prevail now, if the Repub-
lican party occupied the same position, as to the
offices of the State, now, ms they did then.
Without pursuing Tins sub ect further, we pro.
pose to introduce here an extract from a well
written clear and truthful article on the subject
of negro suffrage, from the Baltimore county
Free Press. The Press is edited by MIR. Church,
who so long conducted the Baltimore County
Advocate, and was subsequently connected with
the Hagerstown Torch Light. After giving the
resolutions Of the Republican State Central Com
mittee the editor gives shor. history of the
past, and in doing So, we think, shows pretty
conclusivey what is meant by educating the
people up to the point" Hes says:
p AS a faithful chronicler of the times, we pub
lish the resolutions in full The first provides
for the calling ofprimary meetings throughout the
State, composed of all mule citizens opposed 10
the Convention just voted for The second fur
ther defines what is meant by 'male citizens
when it invites all without regard to race or
COLOR" 10 participate in the primary meetings,
County Conventions, and Stale Convention.
Thus at length has the Union or Republican
party of the State, by its officially recognized
head, acknowledged and acquiesced in the polit-
ical equality of the negro. Step by step have
they been coming up TO the mark, and at length
have they screwed their courage 10 the sticking
point, thrown off all disguise, and avow the DO
ltical equality of all men,
To one who has not closely watched political
movements, and the changes in The views of poll
ticisns, this avowal would be a matter OF sur
prise. He would say that it was rash act of
political leaders or fanatics, and would not be
followed by corporaPs guard of the party
But to one who has observed the course OF past
events, this will excite no surprise. We expect
to see the great mass of the party respond to the
call. AS there will be no opposition tickets r2n-
IN
see turnout OF the black allies, but should
there be contest between two clques or factions
in district, we may STE ii goody array of the
negroes.
We say we are not surprised at this, when we
take retrospective view Of political matters.-l
We remember that when the rebellion COM
menced, hardly MIN said word in favor of
emancipation. 81 am "A Union man, but no
Aboltionisi,' was a common exclamation.
Then came the abOlilion of slavery in the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and the measure was violent
ly denounced by many Of the loyal men of this
State and County. Emancipati, in Maryland
was war measure, and as such was carried by
small majority OF those voting. Those who
were really in lavor OF Emancipation, on its own
merits, were few indeed but those who sum-
ported the administrator N, voted for the new
Constitution embodying it. When negro suf-
frage was first proposed tmet with no favor in the
Ohle, except ny ZealOuS man here and there,
who was far in advance of the great body of the
people. In last falls campaign, the Democrats
charged the Union party with tavorng negro
voting, but it was stoutly denied.
But now the issue is before US, and we pre-
sumo it will be the great question in this State,
that will swallow up all minor questions
"For or Against Negro Suffrage"
We admire can lid man and candid party
When we see man who has always labored TO
emancipate, educate, and elevate the negro, we
know lie Is honest, and is actuated by honest
motives. But does that motive actuate the lead
ers OF theparty who now favor negro suffrage Is
not the greater controlling object the desire to
get possession ofthe offices, and the control OF
the State, by the aid Of the negro votes2
CARRIAGE MANDATORY. We invite the atten-
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