The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-08
COLUMBIA. @ III /
- fT'l'I'I J T1f-TT 2 y 7 y - u
Tuesday Morning, September 8, 1868
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N..IFI n
of Delegates, in excluding negroes
from that body, on the ground that
they are ineligible to official posi-
ton, will doubtless occasion much
excitement among the negroes Of the
whole South, and may exercise con-
siderable influence upon the Presi-
dential election. It seems to be-
tain, judging from the large majority
in favor of the exclusion of the
negroes, that many OF the radicals
voted for the resolution. They are
generally. supposed to be, governed
by their Northern friends, ia their
votes upon ali questions which are
calculated to affect, either favorably
or unfayorably, the fortunes of the
radical party; and, hence, it is q fair
inference that these gentlemen OF
tender hearts and unbounded love
for the negro have advised the vote
which. has thus driven Sambo from
the halls of legislation in Georgia.
At any rate, the deed is done, and
thea Northern radicals viii be COM
PEELED, upon the stump. either to
denounce or to, attempt to Justify it.
The radicals have made him o voter,
and it might be esteemed inconsist-
ent for them to deny to him what
= a. 4 a 4
would appear to be q Consequential
right. The Howard. amendment
does NOT confer upon the negro the
right to hold office; on the contrary,
it expressly, and in, its very terms,
admits the right of every State to
deprive him even of the right of suf-
frage.| We quote its language:
t'SEC. 2. Representatives shall be
apportioned among the several States,
according to their respective num-
bers, counting the whole number Of
persons in each State, excluding,
Indiana not taxed. But when the
righttO vote at any election for the
choice Of electors for President and
Vice-P -PresidenS of the United States,
Representatives in Congress-, execu.
tive and jadioal officers ofa State. or
the members of the Legislature
thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such States, being
twenty-one years of age and citizens
of, the United States, or in any way
abridged, except for participation in
rebellion or other crime, the basis of
representation therein shall be re-
duced. in the proportion which the
number of such male citizens shall
bear to the whole number of male
citizens twenty-one years of age in
such State"
The meaning of this language is SO
evident that we need not point it out.
1t is an express admission, not only
by Congress, but by three-fourths of
the Legislatures Of the Northern
States, that each State may, if it
think proper, exclude negroes from
the ballot-box. And, surely, no one
will contend that an amendment
which thus, in terms, admits the
power of o State to deprive them Of
the right to vote, confera nnon them
the right to hold office. It is posi-
BILE, however. that some persons will
be found tocontest the soundness of
the argument. Suppose, then, asks
the Richmond krdminer and .Eaquir-
er, that We .conoede that that action
did violate the Howard amendment
what is the renedy9 There is none
that we are aware of-surely, none
available at the present time. That
amendment is notoriously inoperat-
i've in Kentucky, Msryland, West
Virginia and Massachusetts. and. no
doubt, in all Of, the. ao.called loyal
States, in respect to some one of its
provisions. 1t cannot be ,nada
effective, without that ''appropfiata
legislationY by Congress to which lita hl
own language refers, Congtess d
not in session. It viii not, meet in
septembet, unless for the purpose. e Of
promoting the success OF Grantaand