Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-01-14
CLEABFIELD, PA.
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.

clualoh VIII be feacheQ ny ~ IN relation
TO the question of suffrage. Quite a
number Of bills have been introduced
in both Houses since the opening of
the present session, providing for uni
form suffrage in all the States, and
more than a score of amendments TO
the Constitution have been proposed
in relation 10 the same subject These
different schemes develope an antag-
onism Of views even among the ex-
treme Radicals which leads us 10 the
conclusion that no legislation on this
subject can be oOnsummated by the
present Congress.
The discussions in and out Of Con-
gress which have been elected BY
these various projects show that there
is not only iHdiUidual differences of
opinion existing in the Radical ranks,
but, what is Of far greater moment,
that there are sectional disagreements
which cannot be harmonized or over
come.
The Eastern States demand that the
Federal Government shall guarantee
= fha citizens Of the several states
the right Of mparfidi suffrage, while
the West demands that it be made
miUas1L These are often used as
convertible terms, but upon investiga-
ton il will be found that they are far
from being Synonymous. BY impair
tial suffrage is meant that system
which, while it admits qualifications
for suffrage, requires that such quail
ifoatiOns, when imposed, shall be
applied 10 all classes alike--that no
restrictions shall be imposed upon one
man or one class Of men which are not
alike applicable TO ALL On the other
band, universal suffrage is what its
name fairly implies, the right 20 vote
given 10 every adult without limit or
qualification except as to age and sex.
As We have said, the Eastern States
favor impartial or qualified suffrage.
The West wants unlimited or univer-
sal suffrage. There is quite an ami
mated discussion OF the merits Of the
two plans going on ia the papers OF
these respective sections. The East
would have in some States an intelli-
gence qualification, in others q qualiti.
cation based upon property, while in
Others still they would fix upon sui.
frage both property and intelligence
qualifications. A few Of their most
ultra organs aud leading fanatics would
require moral Qualificati0ns-such, we
presume, as temperance, going tC
church on the Lords day, denouucing
@tbe sin Of slavery" and the like.
TIE West meets this demand of the
East for impartial suffrage by charg
ing that IL Is an attempt TO set up an
arist0cracy Of wealth which viii thus
De clothed with power 10 oppress and
further degrade their already depend
ent and poweFless working classes
. The East, they say, would SET up then
money lords and sh0ddy princes as th,
true ruling class 10 the country, anc
would soon demand such a change ir
I the character of the Government a,
would recognize and protect them ir
their pretensions as arist0crutic rulers
The East retorts by charging Oh,
West with a desire 20 get c0ptrol O
Che Governments through the suffrag,
of vast hordes Of European cmigrant.
which these Eastern aristocrats de
l clare are too ignorant TO understand
[ the use OF the value Of the ballot
l These ignorant foreigners, say they
vil IN a few years more give the Wes
entire supremacy in The General Gov
crumcnt and enable that section t.
throw of the shacklos now impose,
upon them by the East in the enforce
meat Of high protective tariffs, uavi
[ cation laws, and the odious fnancia
systems which concentrates capital Il
I Eastern cities 20 the great injury o
the several cities of the West.
/ These arc the main points of differ
. eucc between the East and West upo
I this important question. Ii is somC
F. what singular that the Eastern ide
that the ballot, placed 10 the hands q
I the ignorant masses. would endangu
|the Government. never occurred {
I them when legislating for the Soutl
I Puritan New England looks with fea
aud trembling. III not with actual r,
I puguauce, 20 all efforts made in beha
.Of universal Suffrage among whit
|uo1uie. and embraces, with cOrdii
/ delight, an propositions for c0nierrin
this privilege upon ignorant black
The struggle between the East an
West. upon this suffrage question
promises TO become more and MOI
I intense and bitter. We are glad
see this controversy. We are oppose
Ito dur action Of Congress 90 the que
ton Of suffrage. because we deny tha
under the Constitution, it has an
fright TO interfere with the intern
policy of the several States. Fac
State should be permitted to rogulaI
their election laws as viii best su
their own people. We shall not, lil
the fox who lost bis brush, advoca
the extension by Congress over @
Northern States of the power viii,
they have already exercised over q
the Souih-to regulate the ionchi
f1r Massachusetts, and Ohio. VIC b
hev1 their interference with the lav
Iof Georgia upon this subject was q
constitutional, revolutionary and voi
and hence we must oppose any eNte
L sion Of such wrongs, even II the pr
2 posed subject OF the contemplate
Z wrongs be one of our bitterest enemi
? one which voted 10 place our poop
cuder the heel OF the power whiI
uou threatens 70 put manacles MP
A, them also.
FL We know that there is n growil
-- sentiment in the South in favor
o. qualifed or impartial suffrage, b
even the advocates Of this char
- claim that it can be made Only by {
2 people Of the State. We arc not pr
pared 10 say whether or not, in 8
b. present condition OF the South,
= would be wise to make such a chan
= in our franchise laws But We do S
5 thn, II made It can only be rightfu