The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-15
Amnesty aud Suffrage.
FROM the IribHne.

rrOm We ITlOtne.
The former ruling class of Virginia has
steaGfastly opposed negro suffrage. On New
Years Day this class, through representatives
every way qualified, by ability, past services,
high standing aud hold upon the confidence of
the community, to speak for It, decided to
abandon the opposition. 1t made no hypo-
critical pretense of changed opinions; but,
frankly avowipg the continued belief that in
their present condition the negroes are not
safe depositaries of political power, bowed
nevertheless to the verdict of the receut cleo
tions, in the hope that harmony might be re-
stored on the basis of impartial suffrage and
universal amnesty. Since their defeat the
attitude of these men has seemed sullen and
discontented, il not dangerous. They come
now bearing the olive branch.
We are in favor of meeting them in the
same spirit. Where no danger is involved,
We hold that an adjustment in matter in
which we have been so Overwhelmingly victo-
rious should be generous rather than hig-
Cling. We have no wish to see these leading
men of their State constantly forced to contem-
plate themselves in the light of victims of ma
tional wrath. Even if no higher motives con-
trolled the Government, we should consider 1t
shrewder policy now to alleviate the soreness
OF defeat. 1t is very true that we can reor-
ganize without the disfranchised class, and can
secure negro suffrage without it. But we doubt
urge Acknowledgement for their sake. We pro-
foundly distrust the view that negro suffrage
secured by disfranchisement of large part of
the more intelligent population will conduce
to permanent peace. Won in defiance of the
old ruling classes, it may, in the revolutions
of politics, be some day lost in their triumph.
Won, by common consent, in peaceful ad-
justment wherein each party gains something,
it becomes pledge OF peace, and rests hence
folt tn on the guarantee of the common faith
al the common interest.
We hail, therefore, the evidences that the
committee now urging on Congress on behalf
OF the old ruling class of that State the plan
Of impartial suffrage and universal amnesty
is supported by the preponderance of intelli-
gent public sentiment at home. AS was to be
expected, the movement is severely criticized
in many and diverse quarters. The more Bit
ter and malignant of the old Rebel class de-
nounce it as the surrender of vital principle.
The newcomers who, with the negroes, give
the main support to the present State Govern
ment denounce it as new device of the old
enemy, whom they hold it test of loyalty to
fight forever ana forever. But we believe it
to be supported in good faith by party capa-
bic OF bringing to the polls large majority OF
the Virg mans who, through four years of
desolating war, formed the main bulwark OF
the Rebel cause. We believe the return oi
these men to a hearty and active support oi
the State and National Governments a great
! gain to peace, to harmony, to the revival oI
| industry and the return of prosperity. We
ask our friends of Northern origin in Virgins
| to take this wider view of the occasion; and
We ask Congress to give the most attentive
orsderation to the Virginia committee, aud
do whatever may safely be- done to further
their wishes.