Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-11-12

Now that Grant has gone in by the fiat of
the people, the question naturally presents
itself-what next 1t is bad policy always
to pause after successful charge-a victory
is nothing unless you secure Its fruits. The
Democratic party would have cared little for
the loss Of Stone river, Gettysburg, and
Richmond, had we been content to let slave
ry remain untouched. They would any time
have given us the battles had we given up
TO them the principles Of the war.
But aside from policy or expediency, 1t is
not in the nature of things that the Republi-
can party should stop now, or even rest on
its laurels. We are the channel of the vital
power-the historical life of the nation the
trustees Of freedom for the people of this
continent at least, to look no further. We
would be false 10 our trust did we here lay
down our arms. The election of Gen. Grant
was not an objective end-it is but means
to further advances.
We have deliberately raised the banner of
equal rights, and solemnly assured the world
that our platform was exact and thorough
justice. In that sign we have conquered.
God has been gracious unto us and given us
the victory. With King David we can sing,
Lord, Thou hast been favorable unto Thy
land. Did we falter here it would be treach-
cry to ourselves and ingraiitude to Provi-
dence Did we, fat with the s)oils and
swollen with honors and office, sit down and
complacently say: "Soul, thou hast many
goods laid up for many years-take thine
case, eat, drink, and be merry" We should
justly bring down on our heads the fate of
the faithless steward of Gods bounty.
"This very night" and most righteously,
would the sceptre pass from us.
The colored man holds the bonds and
pledge of this country. Under the furnace
blast of war we promised him freedom. We
owe not the hollow promise, to be kept to
the ear and broken to the hope; bnt the sub
stantial thing-good measure, full, pressed
down, and running over. Let us give 1t
now, and let the Fortieth Congress snatch
the honor. Common justice common hui
manity, and common gratitude call on us
now to enfranchise with the ballot the col
cred man in every State. 1t can be done
safely and successfully. We have no Presi
dental election in imperil now. We are on
the wave of success. Let us use it to float the
ship of state into quiet waters-quiet be-
cause they are the great deep of justice and
Of right.
Let the Fortieth Congress, in December,
as their first and main work, propose an
amendment to the Constitution comforting
the power to vote for national purposes and
officers ON colored men, under equal condi-
tions with white men, and submit it to the
people, under the fifth article. Three-fourths
of the States would rush to ratify ii, and an
other laurel. ever green and glorious, would
be addedto the enduring honors of our great
party.
Let us see how the ground lies. We COL
late in tabular form the States in which col
ored men now vote; those now unrecon-
structed in which, when admitted, they will
vote; and of the remainder those which be-
long to lis, aud those owned by the Demo-
cracy.. To these lists we attach the popular
majorities, for they, too, contain o LESSON:
There are thirty-seven States in, or soon
| to be in the Union. Colored men now vote