The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-04-15

expenditure of untold millions, from the ma
tional treasury, and spread desoation and
ruin over thirteen of the States of the Union.
1t was no small or usual act of magnanimity,
iorbcarance and mercy on the part OF the
government, after having suppressed the re-
bellion, and, at the point of the hayonet,
made prisoners of the rebellious citizens and
their turbulent leaders, to have retrained
from executing its criminal laws-resorted
to no executions, no contscallnns. no ban
ishments, no protracted imprisonments-
but, in the true spirit of Christian charity
and forgiveness, to have extended pardon
almost universal inviting its prodigals to
return, not only to the plenty and enjoy
ment, but to an equal participation in the
management of the household which they so
lately attempted to destroy. Should this
forbearance and offer of reconciliation and
peace be rejected and met with continued
manifestations of arrogance and malignity.
who can expect otherwise than that the sus
pended hand of national power will forcibly
remove every obstacle to the safety and tran
guilty of the nation2 1t is unwise to push
the government to this alternative Those
who take part in it cannot expect the SYM
pathies of mankind in the misfortunes
which they thus madly invite upon them
selves.
FALSE AND FEIGNED ISSUES.
Efforts to mislead the popular mind by
false and feigned issues, in connection with
this question, are reprehensible to the last
degree. 1t is objected that no prohibition
is contained in the proposed Constitution
against mastering citizens of different col
ors in the same regiments in the militia
nor against sending them to the same schools,
allowing intermarriages, &c, &C.; that
there is nothing regulating guardianships,
apprenticeship, &c. suppose l might,
with the same pertinancy, add-nor regula-
ting the apartments in the common jais,
seats in the churches accommodations in
the poor-houscs, the drawing of water from
the public wells in the towns, eating at the
same table, riding in the same vehicle, work
ing in the same fields, and thousands OF 9th
er similar provisions Were any of these
provisions ever contained in any Constitu-
ton? Constitutions are made for the pur
pose of fixing only the fundamental and or
ganic laws of the land Matters of detail
are left to legislative bodies, to county au-
thorties to corporations and to society
No intelligent man can seriously propose to
incumber a constitution with details of this
kind. 1t would be not only out of place
and unusual. but positively puerie and ri
diculous BY the constitution now propos-
ed for our ratification, these matters are left
where they belong and where they have al
ways been-with the legislative and local
authorities There is no reason to doubt
that they will be arranged in the future as
they have been in the past, to the hest inter
ests of society and to the satisfaction OF all
parties.
COLoRED MEN?
Do the white people Of North Carolina
fear that the colored people will ever so far
surpass them in intelligence and influence
as to control the management of these de-
tails9 Under universal suffrage, the colored
citizens are the weaker party-they are
poorer, less intelligent, and to great extent
dependent and IMMERSED in the management
of matters, both public and private. If any
man is so weak or misled as really to fear
their power under the constitution now pro-
posed, 1 warn him of greater danger
should that constitution be rejected. Sup
pose it should be found necessary, in order
to secure a reconstruction of the State upon
terms satisfactory to the government, that a
large class of white citizens be permanently
disfranchised would the dangers which
now disturb him be diminished or increased
Let him consider before he contributes to
such result by his vote in the coming cleo
tions. l have never yet seen any indica-
ton that the colored people of this State de-
sire any Objectionable association of the ra-
ces. 1t would doubtless be more agreeable
to them to have separate schools, be mus
tered in separate militia companies, and es.
pecially to prevent marriage relations be.
tween the races. Their conduct throughout
the war and since, has been exemplary and
commendable to degree that has excited
the wonder of both friends and foes. !
have met no colored man who has advoca.
ted disfranchisement, or any other measure
of harshness or severity. By their votes, in
the recent convention, they sustained mode.
rate counscls, and mutual forbearance and
good will They have seemed grateful fol-
the rights and privileges bestowed on them
and have sought to establish them upon Sc
cure and durable foundations. This pur.
pose has led them to cast their suffrages fol
that party and for those men who seemed
most favorable to the protection of theil
liberties When those liberties shall have
been fully guaranteed and protected, they
will probably differ, as other men do. upor
general questions of public policy, and vii
attach themselves to such political parties a.
may arise, according to individual opinion!
and views Some vii, he industrious, thrift
ty and virtuous-- and some indolent, prodi
gal and vile. There can he no reasonable
apprehension that they will gain suprema
cy as race either in wealth, influence, o.
political power. The question of social pc
sition will regulate ITSELF as it has always
done in every age, cline, State, community
and family. There never has been, an(
never can be any such thing as social equal
ity among men. 1t is neither desirable no
possible. l regret to see attempts to con
fuse and mislead the public judgment up
on a question OF such magnitude and vita
importance, as that which involves the res
toration of our State, and the return of Law
and order and prosperity to our people,
The violence of language, abusive epithet
and bitterness of denuncation in which tn
opponents of reconstruction now indulge
is not only to be regretted, but should b.
disregarded and despised.
--.. COLORED SUFFRAGE.
Upon the question of colored suffrage,
fully expressed my views to the people o
North Carolina, in a published address il
March, 1S67-and reviewed the reasons ant
causes leading to its adoption in the recent
insurgent States. Political liberty is tn
right of the citizen to have a voice in the en-
actment of the laws which he may be callec
upon to obey. In republics that voice is ex
pressed by the ballot If it be denied to an
class of citizens excant as q nnnishmnnt fo