The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-11
The Protection of the Ballot.

Inc TTOUSCllOu VI IllC Oo4SS.
No rejecting man whose mind is not
diseased by fanaticism or party prejudice
will say that, either morally or politically,
this nation is bound to accord to all kinds
of men equal rights and political privi-
leges. Shall Japanese, or Chinese, or " In
dams not taxed" be allowed to vote and
hold Office in this country? The Govern
ment has already answered with regard to
Indians by the provision excluding them
throughout the laws. So it has provided
indirectly against both Chinese and Japan
ese, Even achte foreigners are prohibited
for FIVE years from voting, and then they
are not allowed to vote unless they have
become duly naturalized and sworn to sup
port the Government.
And very wise is it that the elective fran
chise should be protected in this way. In
congruous races, in these days Of rapid
transportation of large masses Of men, may
be easily brought together, and the Govern
ment submitted, without distinction to their
direction, might be subverted or degraded.
Suppose by the Pacific steamers and rail-
road an immense incursion of Chinese
should be thrown upon some Of the States,
will any man say that they, with all their
peculiarities so utterly Incompatible with
cur views, policy, and habits, should De al
lowed to vote Most assuredly not.
Nowif these classes are not to DO allow.
ed to vote, will any man say that they Wlil
be without protection? That they may be
beaten, robbed, murdered with. lmpunlty
That they may be even enslayed ana tha'
not having the ballot the laws afford them
no protection, and that there is not enough
sympathy felt for them as human beings te
give them the common security and safe
passage enjoyed in most civilized lands
There can be but one answer, and an lndlg'
nant one at that. The bare inquiry is an
outrage upon the public character and JUS
tice of the nation. g,.sya =. ..ss
First, then, we would like to know why
the negro just relieved from slavery is bet
ter than the foreigner just landed, and
more capable than he or the Chinaman OF
exercising the elective franchise! Look at
the African at home-in what respect does
he equal the Chinese? Look at him here
is he an equal of the Chinese as an artisan
or for industry? Is he more orderly, more
docile, more tractable? Then why, in the
name Of common sense and justice, is the
negro any more than the Chinese entitled
to be admitted within the sacred bounda-
ries Of the constituent body to take part in
the Government which conserves the peace
and order and destiny of the nation? Does
he compare with the Indian not taxed in
the nobleness and pride Of his nature?
Why, then, is he more worthy TO enter the
molly political temple than the red man
the descendant Of that son Of the forest
f'l'o oaoned the very land zoe noao possess
and govern
secondly, then, why does the negro any
more need the ballot for his protection
~ LOU .As classes above referred to? Are not
INC laws as sufficient for him as for these ?
lS ne not as sure Of the neaca and ooo, =,
rlty which is the lot Of all orderly neonle
in this land The questions e.r,u pt tpp:s
answers with them. 1t is absnrd !. t ~
them. Yet that "the negro must hon ssa
the ballot to protect him. = is prets.t
Set up by the predominant party of a part
OF this nation, who arc forcing him into
the State in the responsible character Of
voter, for which he is not as well fitted as
the chinaman sE
TO protect the negro from what Is he
robbed, beaten, or murdered at The North;
because hehas not the ballot? Viii north
ern men assert that bio il less secure in the