The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-03-04

since lie has seen fit to choose different
policy and string himself ont as long as
possible, do rot think we ought 10 up
braid him for it if he liked it. We do the
best VIC can under the circumstances, and
try not TO feel eXaspcratcd at him.
The Fifteenth Amendment Beginning to
see its Lfects.
The constitutional amendment adopted
by the United States Senate is denounced
by some OF the prominent radical journals,
croachments OF Congress upon the rights
of the States The tendency towards CEN
tralization is beginning TO be rcbukcd by
republican party organs. They sec the
danger that must result from stripping
the States of all power, and comforting
the same upon Congress. The Providence
OR. l.. Journal says:
tShould this amendment be confirmed
by the States, and go into effect, it can
not fail to work very important change
IN the government and institutions OF the
country. The article annuls forever all
special qualifications for holding Office IN
any of the States and will inevitably re.
ouire very important alterations in sev.
eral of tile State constitutions, as well as
in the relations Of all the States to the
general government. IL will prove by
lar .hc longest step that has thus far been
taken towards the consolidation OF our
political power and the virtual overthrow
of the State institutions.
GA change like this which is proposed
by the Senate is fundamental and far
reaching. AS was earnestly contcnded
by several leading members Of That body,
il is essentially revolutionary in Its ten
dencies and results. Ourpolitical system
will be very greatly modified by its oper,
ton, and with the facility which will
thus be introduced of making still further
changes, il is impossible fully to estimate
or even to anticipate the ulterior consc'
oucnccs that are likely to flow from it.
Ont of a necessity which the rebellion
forced upon the States Of the South, and
which really pcrtancd Only to them, the
champions OF particular theory of social
rights have carried through the Senate a
change in the fundamental law which
strikes down everything like local indie.
pcndence in State affairs, and abelishcs all
power in State TO protect itself against
any social or political evils to which it
may be especially exposed. The constitu-
lion OF the United States, as thus amended
will clearly no longer be the constitution
which was adopted by our fathers. With
such provision, even as possible anti
cipation. it could never have passed the
convention of 1887; still less could il
have been accepted Ly the popular con-
ntions of any of the States. If it is
now confirmed, it will be only an over
throw Of State constitutions, under the
spurious guise Of constitutional amend
mcnt in favor Of freedom"
The Chicago Tribune also has 6 bold ar
ticle on tho subject. 1t says:
Estate officers are not. like voters, con-
stituerts of the national government.
Their qualifications may be safely left to
the people of the State. The constitutions
of tic several States provide various quail
ifcations for their officers. The Cover
nors of some States are required to be
native born citizens Under each State
we have variety Of officers to DC filled
by persons having knowledge OF partlcu-
lar sciences; we have judges and attorney
generals we have prosecuting attorneys,
State gcologists and surveyors, VIC have
bospitas for the insane and for the treat
mcnt of other forms of disease. Why
should not the State Of Illinois require
that persons elected or appointed to these
places shall be able TO read or write ? that
| her Judges and attorneys shall DC educa-
ted in the law ? that her public physicians IS
and supcrintcndents Of hospitals shall
have medical education? Yet the amend
ment proposed by the Senate prohibits
the State from establishing any such
qualifications, and makes eligibility to
office cocxtcnsivc with the right 10 vote.
All citizens. of all colors and races, whcth-
or they read or write, or speak the lam
suacc, or hold property, are made eligible
to all offices in the State. Can any per-
son give any good reason for this propo'
sition?
"Wc do not think such an amendment
can he ratified ut the present time. we
do not believe that it will secure the re-
ouisite number of votes in Illinois, 1ndl-
ana or Ohio; we do not think Connecticut
or Rhode Isl and or New Hamshire will
ratify it. and it may failin New York and
Pennsylvania. The Pacific States will
undoubtedly reject it. The universa sui
fragc clause cannot carry itself ana the
oficeholding clause,
A talented young African of the
boot. black persuasion, while dancing like
St Vitus over customers boots the 9TH