Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-02-24

peaOe and the Suffrage Amendment.

Peace and the Suffrage Amendment.
A good many radical congressman sup
pose the passage Of the Joint resolution for
the amendment of the constitution, 30 as TO
make suffrage universal, will do much to-
ward clearing away the difficulties which
have gathered around Reconstruction, I"
and have brought it to stand-still. This
idea has been proclaimed by the advocates
OF the amendment and there is rumor
that General Grant has expressed wish
for the immediate passage of the resolution.
II is not probable that he has done any such
thing because his opinions upon the ques-
tion of negro suffrage must now be exactly
the opposite of what they wsre'a few
few months ago, or he regards 1t as a de-
basement of the elective franchise, is unac-
eompanied by HrestriCtions as to intelh-
gence and property,
However this may be, he is thick-head-
ed and dull man who imagineH that the
passage of the resolution will in any wise
affect Reconstruction" except to multiply
| its complications and evils. AS it is pre-
vailing belief that General Grant is not a
thick headed and dull man, it may be in
| ferred that he is not anxions for the pas
sage of the resolution. Why should he be ?
So far as the doctrine of Universal suffrage
is concerned, he has ridiculed it as hum
bug which can only produce mischief He
is willing that negroes shall vote who have
shown capacity to vote intelligently.
The passage of the resolution should it
be ratified by the requisite number of
states, would not affect the south. The
| II, 4 the,t,
were leaders in the rebellion, and are sup
posed to be most bitterly opposed to grant
ing the blacks equality of political privile-
ges, say they are willing to yield this point
If they can themselves be permitted to
vote. Under present regulations, they are
forbidden to vote, and negroes are invited
to the polls The whites are kept from the
ballot boxes by act of congress and by mil
itary force and the negroes are bribed to
attend them. There are exceptions TO this
rule, but that it is generally true is proved
by the number of carpet-baggers in con-
gress.
The passage of the resolution will further
divide and distract the republican party.
1t was afraid to declare in favor of the prin-
ciple of universal suffrage in the presiden-
tial campaign of last year. 1t said the
question of suffrage belonged to the states.
Il said this, not as if merely stating fact
in law, but as approving the policy and
principle which made it law. 1t is un-
doubtedly true, rs a legal proposition, that
the question does belong to the states; but
did this preclude the party from pronoun-
cling in favor of what 1t now proclaims tobe
nm 'etsrnal truth" and "a great moral
ideap"
If the resolution be passed, it will not be
ratified by tie requisite number of states.
The democrats in congress wished the ques-
tion to be submitted directly to the people.
To this the radicals would not consent.
They thought they could control the repub-
lican legislatures. They knew they could
not control the people voting on the amend
ment, They have made mistake as to
the legislature. viii the legislature of
Michigan presume to ratify theamepdment
in defiance of the majority of forty thous-
and given few months ago against prop
osition to grant negro suffrage?
The resolution is condemned by more
than half of the republican party, because
it is direct assault upon what has been
deemed, since the formation of the govern
ment, one OF the most important tributes of
our state governments. There is not day
goes by in which prominent republican
newspapers do not denounce the usurpa-
tions Of congress. Governor Palmer, of
this state, has lately called attention to them
in so pointed and forcible amanner that his
discussion of the subject has attracted at
tention in all of the states. The people are
more inclined to take from than add to the
power of congress Governor Palmer is
probably in favor of granting to the ne
groes the privilege to vote, but he would do
so through the state action, and his mes
sage warrants the prediction that his we'll
founded fohr uf she Increasing audneity of
templated amendment,
The resolution as it went through the
house says nothing about the removal Of
political disabilities. These have been the
cause of nearly all the evils which the
south has suffered in the reconstructed
states" They exclude from all civil office
the only men capable ofmanaging the pub
lie business and maintaining order. AS o
consequence, white demagagues andignor-
ant and vicious negroes are placed in con-
troll Of the state governments. What can
honest and sane men expect from their rule,
but such succession of atrocities and
crimes as have made the history Of the
reconstructed states" infamous.
Ca1pet-bag and negro rule because it was
awless, ipsolent malevolent, and insulting
to the majority of the people, begat discon-
tent and turbulence These gave pre-
tence for the organization of Brownlow's
rangers and Clayton's militia If Grant
wants peace, let him look to some other
agency for its procurement than further
! con rressinnnl dahhlinp with the negro.