New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-20
NEGRO SUFFRAGE-qWO FACES.

Judge Josiah G.. Abbott is a Democrat of the
intensest Hard Shell variety. He has been that
so long as we can remember, which is quite
a while. OF course, he hates "the Radicals
vehemently, and sits mp nights to defame and
execrate them. In his view everything bale
full and abominable has resulted from their
rule including the overthrow of Secession, Re
belon and Slavery. He badly wants them
kicked out, and he wants to help do it; to
which end, he insists that the Sham Democ-
lacy shall desist from their stupid cutlery
against Black Suffrage. That was all very well,
he thinks, so long as the negroes couldn't
vote, so that nothing lost, while
White blackguards were delighted and won,
! by declaring that this is a White Mans country,
| wherein Blacks had no rights which Whites
were bound to respect; but now the Blacks do
vote, are voting and it can't be helped so
! what is the use Of driving them all 20 vote
Republican Judge Abbott thinks this at
variance with the sound old Democratic rule
"All is fish that comes to our net"-and will
have it revised for the partys sake So he
writes a letterztO Tammany Hail. in which,
after cursing the Republicans as BALKAN
cursed-no, tcoHldnt cause.-the Children of
Israel he says:
1.-The party, If it means to succeed must accept the
situation recognize the fact that certain issues have
been settled by the events OF the last eight years and
are now no more the legitimate subject Of useful political
discussion and action than any Other facts Of history
Many Of these questions have been settled wrongly no
doubt, but then they have been settled. II attempt
longer keep them before the people when fact they
belong TO the dead past might just uscfully
employ ourselves in blowing the air. We can keep
doing IT, but the sccdtimc and harvest VIII Gomez
ii will be but ono eternal blowing aud nothing else
Negro Suffrage at the South and Reconstruction fore
most Of those Issues which have become matters OF
history Both believe to have been settled wrongly
and suc doubt. will be the verdict OF impartial
history; bat they have been settled and, II we today
had tie majority IN Congress and the President, could
store the condition existing before reconstruction
begun Iiil ....u,.....,.
to principles by couiending long, too long, perhaps
aud manfuy against the folly Of universal Negro suf
frage the South aud the mOnstrOus iquies Of Recon
and constant efforts and protests Let us now
SnEef waste our Strength in the future as in the p a u
be hoped that Tammany, always front and foremost
will this first public occasion since the last Presiden
al election point out 10 US tho true to yictO-
lie grcyOus burdens put upon II by Radical rule, which
las got TO be only another for governmental
Ecapacity, Wickedness, and corruption Your Obcdcnt
servant J. G.. ABBOTT"
We submit that this in Democratic par
san view, is simply hard, horse sense. TO keep
Up the warfare against Negro Suffrage is simply
o resolve that no Southern State shall have
,ome. The Southern Democrats, after giving
his policy fair trial, have repudated it, for
he most excellent reason that it won't pay.
They do MT choose TO be voted down forever
by their own field hands, late slaves and so
he voice of the charmer, though it be that of
eco. II. PendletOn, goes by UNDECIDED. They
usted to the promises of the Northern Shams
until Grants election; since which, they are
esolved to take care of themselves Hence,
he recent result in Virginia, soon to be re-
echoed from Tennessee. The World sees mat
ers exactly as Judge Abbott and the Southern
Democrats do, but is compelled by its own
,xigencies to befog those Of the party. 1t is |
rying to make the Shams swallow Sambo |
without knowing it, which is somewhat of a |
eat in deglutition. 1t cautiously, but sensibly |
ays:
When there is no longer any hope Of the adoption Of
ome particular opinion by majority from tliit time |
Onward, mat opinion taken ont Of the domain Of politics
roper ana belongs 10 the province Of dogma The de.
Gated opinion may thereafter continue 70 c regarded bv
ne as tlue Dut ~ can be 10 longer regarded as
't9cucdl W men parry 70 lawsuit Is beaten ia a court
II last resort, ms persuasion be IA Strong as cver -
ne Justice o ms cause, pnt he sees the futly OF further
llChPtSa t husauOn Mhcn an Objectionable bin has
iassed legislative body, It's opponents cca e t0 make
peeGhes against II! Their opinions may DO unchanged;
,ut uey hk Dettef 10 devote their gy prOcur-
~ sound legislation on other subjects. IL concerns
ne puDHc interest that Important questions Shall III
engta DO setcu one way or the Other and when they
save been rreversbly decided, the oyerrucd opinion
hOugb not abandoned, becomes mere dogma, and Is
egion aimed at nothing beyond tine enjoyment Of
creed the rel ion Of that creed by majority should
ave no more 'ct than rs rejection by a minority
"TheIOppOsf 20 ucqO-yOtlng is iudiciOus and IA
ional long there any chance OF shutting lie
egroes from The suffrage bat when all such chances
ave finally vanished no good purpose is served by
coping up the agitation This is tie view which he
Democrats OF Virginia acted IN the late election. with
coreucc 10 Negro Suffrage 10 that state Is the Wow
which the Tennessee Democrats acting; il like
isG tho view which tie Democrats OF Texas and Mis-
sspp arc likely act ia the approaching elections In