Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-19
THE UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE PROP.
OSITION

TIE UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE PROP
OSITION.
There is very earnest movement
among the Radicals of the North in favor
Of so amending the constitution of the
United States as. TO establish universal |
Suffrage in all the States. This move
ment is made in behalf Of the few negroes
in the North who are excluded from the |
ballot box. Repeated efforts have been
made to have the right OF suffrage ex-
tended to the negroes in those States,
but the white people. Republicans as
well as Democrats, have shown an un-
willingness to make the negro their pOlit-
ical equal in States where their votes
could exert but little influence either
way. The Radical leaders have deter
mined to take a short cut in hav-
ing this work done by the in
reference Of Congress. That body pre-
scribed negro suffrage for tea Southern
States, and if it was competent to do
that for these States, why not for the
Northern States? But the Radicals do
not propose to do this work in so loose
manner as they did when legislating for
the South. Their purpose now is for
Congress to pass an act proposing an
amendment to the constitution establish
ing universal suffrage in all the States,
ana that this amendment shall be sub
mittod to tho State IosisIaturos fer ratifi-
cation. Should three-9ourths of the Legis-
latures ratiiy the amendment, as it is
confidently asserted they will, negro sui
rage would then be established in the
Southern States by something more than
the uncertain tenure of mere act of Con-
gress. The Baltimore american (Radi-
CALI says mo State shall deny the right
of suffrage on account OF race or color,u
is understood to be the precise wording
of the proposed amendment, and that it
will probably be offered 'on the first day
of the re assembling Of the fortieth Con-
gross next month, and the american
adds
THE expectation is that it will, before
the middle Of January, be passed by a
two-thirds vote Of Congress, sent to the
State Legislatures then in session for
ratification, and that by the 4th of March.
ISG9-the day Of the Inauguration Of
Gen. Grant-it will be part and marcel
Of the constitution Of the United States .
It thus appears that it is the purpose
Of the Radicals to have suffrage Z free
thing to every man when Gen. Grant
shall assume the reins Of government.
They control a sufficient number Of the
State Legislatures to secure the ratiica-
ton Of the amendment, and there is
scarcely doubt that it will be promptly
ratified if proposed by Congress. The
Chicago platform declares that the
question Of suffrage should "be left to
the States" But way is pointed out
by which this stumbling block can be
got out OF the way, and that is for the
States to confer this right upon the gen.
eral government by a constitutional
amendment. Congress will probably ask
that this be done, and there is scarcely
doubt that the Legislatures will comply.
The question then suggests itself as to
what will be the bearing of the proposed
amendment upon West Virginia, Tennes-
sec ard Missouri. OF course it will strike
down the iniquitous disfraD -hisment
which has excluded from the polls very
large majority Of the white men of these
States. In proposing the contemplated
amendment, Congress would Of course 20
no further in the work Of disfran-
chisiDg than that body did in the
reconstruction acts. That would not
exclude from the polls five hundred
white citizens Of Tennessee. If the
amendment should go even this far, it
would change the whole aspect Of affairs
in this State. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say that the Radical leaders here, know
ing that their tenure Of Office depends
upon sustaining the present sweeping
Acknowledgement, will violently oppose
his universal suffrage proposition. But
the thing is drifting rapidly in that dircc>
lion, and it is wonderful that our legis.
latoTs DO not see that events must culmi-
nate in the adoption of universal suffrage
throughout the States, and that such
measure will emancipato Tennessee. It
is q Radical movement, and we report its
progressive stages to show our legisla-
tive Solons that their exclusiyeness does
not meet the appreciation Of their
own party in other portions of the coun-
try. The Washington Chronicle makes
this emphatic declaration
Regarding suffrage as the exponent
and pledge Of each mans right to SELF
government We consider il iEdispeE-
able to that liberty which all americans
arc supposed to believe to be an inalien-
sable right. It's establishment has there
fore seemed to US necessary to the full
yindication Of the very fundamental
theory Of our government.
This is the spirit in which Tennessee |
Radical disiranchisemcnt IS met by men
who are actuated by any regard for the
peace of the country. It cannot be igsti-
lied by ever Northern Radicals, and they
are willing to sec it swept from existence
by an amendment of the constitution of
the United States. While these occur
rencos are taking place in the North, We
see no signs Of soaening ON the part Of
the Tennessee Legislature, aud no man
seems to look 10 tha! body with hope.
Such is Radicalism in Tennessee
--------a-s.
\ NEW KNOW NOTHgzC NOVE,~ !
MENT.
The Philadelphia Pros thus endorse.
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