New-York tribune., 1868-06-16
THE REAL ISSUE.

very frankly set forth their objections to the
Reconstruction policy of Congress and the new
Constitution of their State. Brefiy-they pro-
test against those features of the new Consti-
tuition which affirm and maintain the equality
of all law abiding citizens in the eye of the law.
There is no more clam0r against Military rule
ON the contrary, they would gladly prolong
that rule indefinitely, so as to improve their
chances of getting the Blacks once more under
their feet 1t is not despotsm but democracy,
not lawless power but law-secured justice. that
the unreconstructed Rebels of the South and
their Northern sympathizers cannot abide. The
new Constitution prescTibes that every citizen
shall vote who accepts the civil and political
equality of all citizens as the basis of government,
and it prescribes that all places of public re-
sort and all State-suppOrted schools and semi
naries shall be open on equal terms to all chill
dren and youth. The new Constitution enfran-
chises all Rebels, even, who have supported
Reconstruction on basis of civil and political
equality. And, because those who would use
power to disfranchise and degrade majority
of the whole People of Louisiana, including
at least three-fOuTths of those who regret the
overthrow of the Rebellion, are not allowed TO
acquire power for that purpose, the Democratic
protest asserts that Sweeping disfranchise-
"ment is made the cornerstone of State
Constitutions" adding that "The negro has
Established " his supremacy in this State"
What they mean by this, they proceed to de-
vel0p as follows:
I'VE will not argue the question OF race-t IS
not political question. The American people
ton can peaceably no moro change the mold aud
stamp OF nature than II disturb the order OF creation
The governing intellect Of the White has ruled this
country The White has never yet ntrsed any Of
its interests to the negro Tnis determination springs
from no local sectional unreasonng prejudice Evefy
State in the Union has fixed the status Of the negro The
free negro Ohio and Indiana could not testify In court
in u civil suit in which a White man interested
late as sSlf he can today In Louisiana he has always
setts law OF 1885, Furnishing with imprisonment and
tho oense of residing days in that state. repealed
only In 1884 II was only IN stS for reasons which we
pass that Massachusetts removed another badge OF
dshOnOr OF race. and allowed the negro the
privilege OF bearing arms In her militia. The new North
legislation OF the older States vigorously carried out this
principle Of excluding the from their limits though
20 increase their population. The laws prohibiting inter
marriage and Withholding the elective franchise. fixed
the negros status OF social and political Hierory
We repeat that this P9eJndee Is not sectional
The result OF The late elections at the North
are not calculated 10 nater the hopes OF any that
the American people have changed their estimate OF the
claims and character OF the negro The popular VIII to-
ernment-ue White race must 0OrerH the Sidie."
These are the precise ideas, notions, preju-
dices, that made these gentlemen Rebels in 1861
8, and secured them the ardent sympathy of
our Seymours, Pierces TOuceys. WOodwards,
and Vallandighams. The natural and neces-
sary right of the Whites to govern and direct
the consequent duty of the Blacks to serve
and obey-this was the core, the essence, the
determining impulse of the Rebellion. 1t
was this that paralyzed the efforts of so many
of our National Soldiers, who could not fight
effectually on the loyal side when their sympa-
thies, their hearts, were on the other. 1t was
this that made a Copperhead undistinguishable
from Rebel when they met on neutral ground
during the War-say in Canada, in the West
Indies, or in Europe. And it is this that makes
them one to-day whether in the North or in
the South There will be Two Thousand votes
cast in this city for President next Fall by men
who fought in the Rebel armies, and every one
of these, save the few who rejoice that the Re-
belion was crushed, will vote against Grant
and Colfax.
The World, which has been squirting toward
the support Of Chief-Justice Chase for Presi-
dent, and talking haf-sensibly with regard to
the rights of the Blacks being practically ire
claimable, while cOunseling the Rebels to accept
tho situation, now turns its back on ITSELF,
as it did with regard to Emancipation, and says:
"with the opinions which Mr. Chase continues TO hold,
he is BY far too sagacous and politician to
thought OF making him Its candidate for President While
the party compelled TO recognize the existence Of many
changed and cannot change Its principles The that
the negroes will vote In the coming Presidential election
,h
compusioh, while ChiefJustieo Chase regards It with
more than eomPaeenSy WIN more than satisfaction,
cherished hope. What he has Ardenty desired the
Democratic party has strenuousy resisted and indignant
Whs has been y unable as %
going 10 tndorss a. they oottd rtuany do BY mating
There ia great difference between submitting 10 the in
eyitabe from sheer inability 70 Withstand IT, and placing
bringing the evil upon us We should be- Glad to- sss m
Chief Chase follow Mr Blair and Senator Dooltte
suffrage as blessing instead Of an socIous though per-
haps irretrevable bunder do he and the
did not object 10 parley but certain from the be.
ginning that the mountain would not 20 Mahonet and
IL appears that Mahomet VIII not come to the mountan
much the easier miracle"
TO the same effect, o correspondent of The
Times writes from Charleston. S. c., on the 1lth
inst, as follows:
"a portion OF the State not represented In the April
Democrats Convention, held day before yesterday a
separate Convention Only ten districts out OF thirty one
were rePresented and the result a coalition Of ths
party with that Of April, and now there 10 no longer
difference originally the question OF Negro suffrage
The result reached agreement ignore issue
the Northern Democracy in whatever course t may de-
eide to adopt This harmonzing Of the threatened dis
the November election provided the any part
in that election Now the full OF the White vote
20 for tho Democratic nominee for the Presdency With