Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-12-07
THE NEXT STEP.
Tony EDWARDS,


United States for four years from the
fourth of March next, by an over
whelming majority OF the popular vote.
In nearly every State whore fraud and
terrorism could not defeat the will of
the people, Republican candidates
have been elected, and the great mass
of the American people hail the result
with JOY and gratitude.
A decision so plain, SO emphatic,
so unmistakable, cannot be without its
significance. What then does it mean?
It must be understood simply Gs q
calm, deliberate and irrevocable de-
cree, that the principles embodied in
the platform, so heartily endorsed by
General Grant, and ratified by thou
sands upon thousanda of his fellow cit
izeus be carried out.
These are, briefly, the maintenance
of the Reconstruction acts, honest pay
ment of the public debt, equalization
and reduction of taxation, economy in
the administration of the government,
protection of naturalized citizens, re-
moval of disabilities from repentant
rebels, and recognition of the great
principles laid down in the immortal
Declaration of Independence, as the
true foundation of democratic govern
ment and we hail with gladness every
effort toward making these principles a
living reality. on every inch of Ameri
can soil.
1t is to this last resolution that we re-
fer particularly at this time, while not
meant ng for moment to ignore any
of tho others. And the question ma
turally arises, &" How can these princi-
pies be made living reality?" Let
Congress answer at its approaching
session, by passing constitutional
amendment, which shall prohibit any
state from denying the elective fran
chise to any portion of its citizens, on
account of race or color. That is the
next step, and sooner or later, it must
be taken. The Republican party has
ever boosted that it was u party of pro
gress, and it must be confessed that its
record shows one continued advance
from its organization until now. But
if it fail to seize the golden opportuni-
ty now offered ; if this great party is
not still equal to the occasion, let us
hang our heads in sorrow, and exclaim,
"Its glory is departed. No objection
is ever made to such an amendment
but that founded upon the lowest
meanest, prejudice, and an argument
in support of it, seems entirely work
of supererogation.
There may be some who will say il
is unconstitutional to amend the con
stitution, but no valid reason, even foi
delay. has yet been, or can be given
We have uniform currency-why moi
have a uniform suffrage We all rally
under the same fag-why can not al
enjoy equal privileges beneath its folds
We all must obey laws, duly enacted
and rulers, Only elected-why can moi
all have an equal voice in choosing
those who make the laws, and admins
ter the government ? Finally, since
all men are created equal, why should
the nation protesting perfects liberty
persist in making hem unequal p
Every principal of humanity and con
sa-ency, demands that from one end
10 tne >ther of this broad land, the
rlght OF suffi"ee be impartial. Throw
around is whatever safeguards YOU
please property qualihcntio on
an educational qualifications many
years residence--what you will; these
are not under discussion now.
The greatest thing is, to deprive ne
man of the dearest right of an Ameri
can citizen, because he is black, OF
brown, OF yellow. This is a subject Of
transcendent Importance, and deserves
continued agitation, until the whole
people are brought to see its wisdom,
its necessity, its iussice.
The next Congress will not contain
a two-tliirds Republican majority, and
past experience affords no hope thai
the Democratic members will favor any
such wise and liberal proposition. :
Therefore let the Fortieth Congress
make its name forever dear to all low
ers of liberty throughout the world, by