Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-02-26

very seriously opposed to removing the dis
abilities under which the colorcd population
OF thoee states are generally placed in re-
spect to suffrage, yet this Indiana Conv ention
did not, evidently, dare to declare in favor
of equal suffrage at home. Ii prominent
Republicans in that state were asked why
they did not give suffrage to their colored
population. they would undoubtedly say
that they were III favor Of it, but that an
attempt to carry the question into the cleo
ton would defeat the party. Yet these same
Republicans can insist that it shall be given
to the negroes at the South. We DO not
care 10 consider whether the policy which
dictates such cowar,iIv trimming is ever
justfeCle. bur we cannot forbear to express
onr hearty coEnmiseration for the men Of
sense in Indiana who may he called upon TO
defend or Justify such = resolution. Until
the Republican party of Indiana can have
the courage 10 declare for negro suffrage ut
home, they would appear infinitely more
respectable if they wonld drop the subject
entirely
The reason. xiv Oh III The ie1oiution for
giving suffrage 10 the negroes n the South,
are in fact TO reasons. If suffrage il not 3
/ political right belonging 10 every man who
is called upon - obey the laws. tten is the
! Republican faith vain, and the party has 40
/ defense of its scheme Of reconstruction. If
q black has not tie SAME natural right
to vote ss white man, everywhere, we
III sgilt a. well join D0olttie and the Demo
cratic party at once The fact that there
! has been q rebellion III the South gives the
negro natural rights Enanci patton
was direct result Of the rebellion, hut
suffrage is not unless the ballot belongs 10
every ir--- noolittle- the negro !,
unit to vote and the Republicans of Indiana
say the negro IL fit 60 vote AT the South. bur
not in indiana is not Dooiiltie WHO OPP
/ poses negro suffrage everywhere. more con
sis'enf than those who think it right -oruc-
where else than in their own state?
/ But these tinid Indiana Republicans say
! that IT was necessary 10 give suffrage % the
blacks III the South TO secure reconstruction.
and Il preserve the liberties Of the blacks
/ themselves and perhaps eome may think
/ this Is . sufficient reason for iayoring colored
suffrage in South Carolina where the blacks
are ia d majority, and oppo sing it IN Indiana
where they are bat small portion II The
/ inha hitants. If it is right that eoiored men
should vote then this reason may be cogent ::
/ Luz if the colored race is inferior 10 the
white race. and there is such q prejudice
. against lis color that Republicans of Indiana
cannot bring themselves u grant negro suf-
/ lrlgc iii thar state. how can Il be wise or
! just or republican % turn whole -tatc o. er
! to be governed by this colored race and the
most ignorant and debased portion of The
race at that: There can be no use IN organ
! izing governments IN trs ~oncii unless their
affairs can be inteligently administered after
/ they organized If the Republicans of
| Indiana believe that the 400 .Gn0 blacks . t
/ South Carolina make ii stable ar re
/ spectacle government. why de- these same
Republicans refuse the ballot - the few men
81 tne same color in their own state" would
il not =, infinitely better 10 keep she states
disorga until new race d l0val whites
can take control of affairs. tnan 20 pnt them
i'll charge Of unfit 10 vote in Indiana ,
IF w were u have oar choice between
Indiana Repubiicanism and Democracy, IN
the question o. suffrage. we confess that We
should incline - choose the democratic
principles, ~ quite logical and a. doing by
Others a. we would IL done by.
We trust that our friends in Indiana viii
live to repent q the ..avsardien- almost
neanncs-. OF such a declaration this reso-
luton in respect TO suffrage, and will come
to zee and believe and practice the true
principle thar government. whether in
Indiana OF III South Carolina, can only right
fully exist by the consent Of the governed
and that the battle Of equal rights can never
be won BY those who refuse TO strike for
equal rights NJ home a. well as in distant
state-.