Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-01-15
Suffrage at the south.


The vacillation and division of the Republican
party on the question of nero suffrage al 'ne
close of the war, offered to the Democrats grand
opportunity which they failed to improve. by
LAYING aside their preiudices, and adopting the
tactics Of Dsraeli and the Tories on similar
occasion, they might possibly have regained
their prestige and power. Some Of the leading
journals of the party perceived this at the tune
and urged bold step forward But as usual,
the few were wiser than the many The Demo
cracy could not abandon the old issues. They
were welded to their idols, and could not for
sake them They would go no farther than to
promise to oppose negro suffrage no longer than
the South did.
At the South the hostility T. the eniranchlse-
ment of the blacks has been equally bitter he
south had there was to gain and all there was
to lose by the measure. Her opposition was
perhaps, more natural and less deserving Of CEN
sure. Three classes among the South, IN people
took an early and decided stand in favor Of con-
frrrng full political privileges upon the negroes
4 small number Of repentant rebels accepted
negro suffrage As one Of the results Of the war
At heart they were not in favor Of 1t; but they
had personally felt the horrors ofthe war; and
had learned fiom experience its terrible pu'
[ valuable lessons They surveyed the field with
a keen and broad, if not with a satisfied VISION
/ They were acquainted with the character oi th'
blacks, and knew that they would never be con
tented with anything less than full polltica
rights.
Another class Of Southern politicians wer'
even more forward, and less honest, in then
willingness to enfranchise the freedmen They
welcomed the scheme, not as a tardy act Of jus
tice, nor as the final settlement of one Of The
many issues growing out Of the war, but SIMPLY
As a possible means Of manufacturing Democratic
voters. They set their net carly to catch a
man, fish As possible These men hargaincd fol
the erlli that follows the successful adoption O
4 great measure. In many cases they Wer
planters who hoped to ride into Office on tn
shoulders Of their emancipated and enfranchise
slaves Others were political adyenturers
Democrats from policy, nothing from principle
anxious to renew among tie negroes the dem
ar5ci-m that the war had interrupted.
Then there was the small band Of soutAer1
iorali.t- who demanded the ballot for the uesroe
as m tier Of justice and protection. they fel
that both their own safety and the welfare OF tn
South reauir,d it. In short, they were in entlr
sympathy with the Republican party on th
Question. This class was perhaps larger thai
the o,her two: bu all three formed only an IN
significant part Of the southern people. thong
working for the same object they were not l
harmony, AMI would have accomplished nothing
But great and gratifying change has AZ
D .reut.v come over the South on the so4jec
Ii ind.eat,s that the measure will be adopte
without seri MS opp .itiou. But this repeutanc
come, late ami its snce ity is questionable. TIL
election +, the event that las wrought I'll
chance Although the Presidential contest wa
not fought IN tie ay,wed issue ofuesro suiifas'
the country understood that the success
Gran, .c,tlel that question. some OF the soutl
eru leaders frankly admit that Their sentimen
remain uull,crc1 ami that they accept neEI
suffrage as one # tie inevitable results Of IL
election. We commend their cando7 in almi
ting tAe feet, and their Submission TO tie n
tiaual will But the glory Of the measure F"
long TO ,be Republicans The south can bel
materially .'. adoption, but cannot rob the u
+ publican party Of the praise Of sighting t7 a SUI
ces,ful close. great political battle, on Il
broad Ground Of Imrls,A. SaHrage.