The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-10-24
The Anos shan1an.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER "a, 1867.
Suffrage.

we luclihe 10 the oplnlon mat In the
recent election in Ohio, the suffrage
amcndmeut did not receive the number
of votes that would have been given it
had 1t been submitted to the people to-
tally disconnected with the disfranchise-
ment Of deserters. We also credit those
reports which declare that some of its
advocates, as Judge Wade, and Senator
Chandler Of Michigan, made, by their
manner Of advocating the amendment,
more votes against than for it. 1t is
apparent, however, that the display Of
greater policy in the manner of presenting
the question, or OF advocating it could
not have secured its approva! and adop-
tion by the people. The majority of the
voters of Ohio are not yet ready to change
the basis of suffrage so as to make color
or race no necessary cause of exclusion
If such is the case in Ohio, as we'll as in
Connecticut, how much more is it the
sentiment of Pennsylvania, or Illinois, or
Indiana? The question therefore comes
up: Will the Republican party in the
coming national campaign adopt as part
OF It's principles the granting of the right
to vote to ali male citizens, without dis
tinction of race or color? We have ad.
yocated such change, not as matter of
policy, but as a thing eminently Just and
fair in itself, and we do not now waver in
2 IS Il,
that government should ostracize man
who was born and reared within its pro-
lection, who is faithful in his duties and
devoted TO his country, simply because
lis skin is dark, or because his fathers
came from Africa. But popular prriu-
dice is very often averse to things that
are on good terms with good reason and
sober sense. Great parties, desirous as
they may be to clear away foolish preiu-
dlces so as to establish what is c0nsonapt
to the principles of our government, and
conducive to its stability and to .he hap
pIness OF the people, cannot always secure
iUs best aims, but must leave them as part
OF the future, and content themselves with
securing the greatest good that can be
attained. Such, we conceive, is the duty
OF tie Republican party tG DAY. 1t has
already done more by far, and in much
shorter space of time, for the country and
for its people than has ever been done by
any other political organization Of which
we have knowledge, whether of our own
or any other nation. Within the brief
space OF seven years, it has opened the
public domain to every settler who wishes
TO establish home on western lands. It
has fostered an enterprise that will soon
connect the Pacific States with the Allan
tic coast By . continuous line Of rail- 1t
has perpetuated the nation by couquering
rebellion so formidable that almost eY-
cry foreign power looked upon It's success
as foregone conclusion; and did this,
too, while at the same time increasing the
wealth and developing the resources Of
the country. 1t has lifted from abiect
slavery into freedom and citizenship,
without even the scmblance Of a servile
insurrection, four millions Of people 1t
has supPlanted a currency that was always
at discount, always insecure, by another
that is current for its face throughout cur
whole domain, aud is as secure as ou:
government itself 1t has established
system Of postal orders that affords cheap
aud safe transmission of small sums of
money. Had it been proposed ten years
ago that these events would be accom-
plished within the present century, the
most eredulous would have doubted if not
denied.
We do not desire that the Republican
party shall retain only enough vitality to
boast of its past deeds. 1t dare not trust
Its life to its past virtues, but must look
forward to the future, and the necessities
and duties Of the future. But why go
ahead so fast as to smash things? The
people are not yet ready to change the
basis OF suffrage, and this is DO time to
risk defeat. We have too much at stake
10 throw away victory. Reconstruction is
not yet complete, anu if 10 other issue
were present, that alone IS Sufficient for
every energy until the last State iB rcssQ-
red in such manner as to give prefer
cnce and security to the lrienda of Union