The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-16
Perils of Degraded Constituency.

eleVatlOn 10 the DOdy OF FOtcTe vi shS "'
lust liberated from slavcry-utterly UNITED
by ignorance and habit for the duties at
tached to the responsible position of elector'
If it be possible to educate the negro race
up to that level with the Caucasian race,
which it took this race SO many centuries
to reach, beyond question it was not posi-
bic to prepare him in single day. as II
were, for any such exaltation.
His introduction in this sudden manner
20 unprepared as he was, to that level va.
crime against the country ana AsNlno ,
civilization-a crime intensely age.a'a'.0
ubor ve consider that he is 20 dls1lnct In
his hue and disposition from the white race
which had. besides governing the country
held him rs slave.
Nv the admission of the negro to the cleo
tive franchise the State deprives itself OF
mower to exclude consistently any other
race. whether Asiatics, Africans, or South
Sea islanders, from the same privilege.
Under the new means and engines OF trans
portation of this day, it is easy for any OF
those countries oppressed with population
to relieve themselves by transporting large
multitudes to those lands which have much
unoccupied territory. Of all the countries
this is that which will be the point OF con-
centration for emigrants. A strong cur
rem, of emigration will soon set In upon
onr Pacific shores from Asia, and there II
no telling how far the introduction OF the
Monaghan races may be carried.
Now. it is no extravagant idea to suppose
that in short period the influx OF the lhle-
r;or races into this country may be 30 great
as. we're they to be accorded the right OF
suffrage, to give them an influence Tor good
or evil in the government of our country.
Would the people of the United States be
WILLING 70 run the risk of making these
newcomers their equals in political rights
We believe not. But how can they consist
emily refuse to allow the Chinese, or even
tbo Inhabitants of the South Sea islands, TO
vote after extending that privilege to the
negro The Chinese are Infinitely supe-
rior to tie African, and even the South sea
islander il much ahead of the inhabitant
of Central Africa.
These are matters that the northern people
must patiently consider. ltis,.an indlspnta-
BILE truth, that in proportion as the constitute
ent Iodv is adulterated by the introduction
of mixed and discordaHt races will the repre-
sentative body lose dignity, capacity, ana
integrity. Look at the deliherat've assem-
blicg chosen under the new suffrage at the
South Their composition has been such
TINT il shocked the feelings of every man OF
intelligence at all Informed with regard to
them. Their effect has been to destroy con-
fdence and Cypress the energies of the pco-
pie. The general welfare has been almost
wrecked by the Impeachment of the COM
munity, and the public revenues have been
alarmingly diminished.
Does any man, whether Radical or Demo-
crat believe that had the old order pre-
vailed since the war We should have seen
southern communities in this condition
No; not one man in the Union believes any
such thing. On the contrary, had the whites
conducted the Governments NJ before, anu
the negroes been left to study and prove
their fitness hereafter for the rights now 80
madly and unwarrantably conferred upon
them, the South would now he prosperous,
sectional animositics would be asSuaged,
and the whole country so far recovered from
the effects of war that its scars would have
been almost entirely caccd.
What madness, for the sake OF Wliu
theory, proved so often false one, and to
crafty party ambition, to submit tins TAR
land to the terrible effects of degrading the
constituent body by admitting into 1t the
black race, 70 recently one of slaves
Look ut the wrctched Mexican and South
American States. See the terrible ei1ects
of Il constituent body Of mixed, lnconeru-
Gus, and ignorant races. Had there peeh
sufficient European blood in those States
before they threw off the yoke OF Spain 10
control the Government then there might
have beeu some hope for them as long as
the Euronean race held the rcins. But
subjected, unavoidably, from the weakness
of the Europeans, to the motley ana lioh-
erel populations that overwhelmed 'heH''
anarchy and ruin have been the conse-
quences.
Men say the Caucasian will triumph
But why put into his hands this newamate-
rial to work WITH Would YOU require II
cabinet-maker to build q mahogany ward
robe out of pine, or silk manufacturer to
make satin dress out of wool!
This idea of the Caucasian triumphing
ALWAYS in controlling elections, whether ne
groes arc in the majority or not, is great
error. Can he secure proper elections, and
thus save the State from prejudice and loss
of standing? 1t will be found that he can
exert no such power. The upper stratum
is ever tending to combination with the
lower. The obnoxious and depraved of the
upper, ignored by thut upper, will seek pro-
motion by association with the lower; and
wherever there is an approximation &c
equality in numbers between the superior
and inferior classes, the chances are that
the inferior will elect the representative
The Caucasian can do much but here his
power fails. lie cannot preuent the de-
qradation Of legislative body that IS 10
be chosen BY degraded constituency.
r. oo., -,;,h the American neOple IN say