The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-02-07
The .y,yr. s.p--maey" Questions

leaders have much to say Of "Ncgro Suprem-
acy." They thus characterize the giving Of the
balo, 10 the loyal free man Of the South. who
barrel his bosom to rebel bayonets, hand to hand
ard side by side with the patriotic soldier Of the
North, in orler to save the Union from traitor
Gus hands. They are ralying. under the PRES
tige ofthe defeat Of impartial suffrage in Ohio,
to the cry Of "white mans Government" anil
talking mournhilly Of "Negro Supremacy" for
their naughty rebel frienls at the South. This
"white mans" cry with them il comparatively
a new thing. AMI il is novel cry to many Of
the rank and file. who have been taught from
youth up that Democracy meant equal rights,
and particularly a jealous eye for the rights Of
the poor and down-trvdden.
Let US look at this suffrage question, and see
what the record Of Democracy was before Il was
clear how the free blacks would vote. When
Judge REAGAN wrote To Gov. Thrcckmorton.
urging that suffrage be given to the free black
men On the same terms Us To the whites, the
Boston Post. the lesling II not the only able
Democratic Journal in Massachusetts,, gave Il the
following unpsrtiran and truly Democratic en-
dorsement:
This Is wise, just. polite. Impartial sg5Ssgs ne
hare aisays advocated. Tho Massachusetts, system
We think . god one. and " every State would
adopt H. the result would prove its great security
to the peace and prosperity ofthe country"
On the question Of forcing impartial suffrage
upon the South. we have some important rebel
testimony. which Senator Cngin brought to
light In recent speech in the U. =. Senate. In
q published letter Ex-Gov. Foote said to A. U. +.
Nicholson Of Tenn, that,
I'VE must, In order TO he Tree ourselves, agree
never hereafter To interfere with the freedom OF
others We must, In order 20 assure eur own re-
turn To liberty and happiness, not only recognise
'the colored citizens of tho South now free but
We must allow them the same means Of preserving
their freedom that wc ourselves desire To possess.
They must be Treemen In TACT rs veil ~ in name.
We must consent To their bein: invested with tho
elective franchise"
The Rebellion. Buckner. who. though dis
honorable AMI dishonorcl coward, Is reported as
saying
"On the question OF negro suffrage tho South
must cheerfully accept IL and use the negroes nj
the polls, teaching thSP that their interests are
identical with those Of the whites"
Deauregsrl. the rebel Gen. who executed
the first order Of JEFF. Davis's war secretary, and
iirel the first gun upon Sumpter's little band, in
letter dated Nov. %, 1867, published in the
n. O. Times says:
with regard to the suffrage OF the freedmen
however Objectionable IL may be at present, II Is
IN element Of strength for the future, fprOperly
handled and directed We shall defeat our Adver.
sarics with their own weapons. The negro Is
Southern born, with q little education aud some
property qualifications he can DO made to take
sufficient interest In tho Affairs and prosperity Of
the South to insars an intelligent vote on his
part"
Wade Hampton. the fearless rebel Sheridan Of
the South during the war, in letter Of no later
date than last August, says;
.On q late public occasion, when many OF you
were present, I expressed my perfect willingness.
TO sec Impartial suffrage established q, the SOUTH
and believe that this opinion Is entertained not
only by hrys m.jor,ty efA, istsi,gsHt and reject
tag TAn,s. but also by the same class among the
blacks We have recognized tho freedom ofthe
blacks and have placed the fact beyond all proba-
bilty ofdoubt denial, or recall, let ~ rscogsiss
IN ns ,lms ,d.k mana,r, and a. fay, thsir pahfi-
cat riglt, al,s. For myself. confess that am
willins to see constitution adopted ny our state
cnnftrring the elective franchise on the negro on
precisely the sane terns u IL 10 he exercised by
the waite man, guarding against abuse of this
privilege, and establishing slight educational
and property qualification for al classes"
This is certainly frank. AMI ought to shame
northern coppcrhcrls who are clamOring about
'.joreiay negro suffrage upon the South, T" into
dcrision and silence. The New Orleans Pieayune
democratic Journal, from the first, says:
ave have urged our people not to indulge any
faith In false squeamishnrss about accepting the
negro, rs with themselves q voter, and indulge In
no he.itancy as To his competency aud quallhcs.
tlon. IL 10 ridiculous for any ono to pretend that
he is lowered or disgrscci by going to the polls
with q negro, when he crowds At the general de-
livery with him 10 ss, lett OF at the pos,-ofiee"
We might cite columns Of such testimony, hsd
we the nom. The registration. and voting for
delegates To the Southern conventions, repudi-
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to their old places in the Union. and they only
hOll on, in consequence Of the misguided prom
iscs (promisci without a shadow of hope Of pow