New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-09


The Con invention assembled, and proceeded to
frame pretty good Constitution; but, smart
ing with resentment for the Conservative
attempt to disfranchise the Blacks the major
Ity decreed a sweeping acknowledgements and
prescription of all the conspicuous ex-Rebels.
So obnoxious was this TO the more considerable
Republicans that their leaders did not see tit to
ask its submission for popular ratification or
rejection, but preferred to await more pro-
pitiOus season.
1t being evident that the interregnum could
not last forever, it was decided to submit the
Constitution this Summer, and the vote thereon
has lust been taken. Gen. Grant, on the ap-
neal of moderate men of all parties decided
to submit the DISTINGUISHING and prescribing
clauses to a separate vote, and did so, fully
aud fairly He did not do it merely because
it was asked, for he was likewise urged to
submit separately the clause providing for the
division Of each county into townships, and
declined.
The Conservatives made sager by adver-
sity, resolved not to run their heads against the
identical granite ledge whereon they so nearly
butted out their brains in 1867 They had a
State Ticket in the field but withdrew it per-
W
and support the candidates of the non-Pro-
scriptive Republicans. They expressly with
drew their opposition to Impartial Suffrage.
In short, they accepted the situation" and by
thousands voted for the New Constitution,
though they dctest some of its leading pro-
visions. Of course, they all voted against the
DISTINGUISHING clauses; but so did tens OF thou
sands of Republicans, Black rs well as White
In some districts, the Conservatives supported
coal black negroes for the Legislature; and we
suspect that ID. NJ. Norton, the Colored Repre-
sentative in Congress of the LIST District Is largely
indebted 10 them for votes. In short, they de-
clined Mr. Geo. w. Pendleton's counsel to inn
molate themselves once more on the altar of
Sham Democracy, preferring to exhibit CLEAN
of common sense. AS n consequence, they are
now shouting themselves hoarse over triumph,
which their dear friends up North would have
had them reject
The World (which has repeatedly betrayed
its consciousness that the pro-Slayery, anti
Negro attitude which its party has seen fat 10
maintain is stupid NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. eau
tiously seeks TO suEar-coat the Black draught,
so that :" the party may swallow it without
exactly knowing what is going on
"In the election. Tuesday, which resulted in the
Democrats OF that State acted part which may expose
them the Of such OF their brethren else where
as think an abandonment or at least acOmproise of
nGvPe 10 I1rsgo m arcs * th LILLE I
ton with boiling section OF the Republicans For the
cake Of accomplishing other objects deemed ~ more I'm
pOrance they acquesced IN the DestoWh Oi suffrage upon
decided By the adoption rejection ~ State Consultation
proposng 10 confer the privilege The Democrats OF Vr
gina might, had they chosen, have acted by them
selves aud have recorded their indignant protest nRanS
the participation OF the negroes IN the politics OF the
% ISL withdraw
ali further opposition 90 suffrage while the question
was yet undecided, and cooperate with the Conservative
Republicans in rescuing the state from the control OF
the Radicals. Whether this action wise and saga
cous question which challenges the consideration OF
Democrats IN all parts OF the country.
ave do not understand that the Democrats OF Virginia
opinion which they heretofore held They think OF
negro suffrage they have always Misunderstanding
unwlse ineXpedient, and ranght with danger 10 the
State But, the other hand they knew that do what
they would they eoGd Dot Fe a snG t an nsSsd
protest OF which the only effect would be to surrender
State the control of the Radicals and negroes
Without protesting any change Of opinion they consented
% waive the question OF negro suffrage 10 accept state
Constitution which mado tho negroes all voters, and 10
form coalition which, successful would nulhiy at
least for the present. the caalnous consequences OF
government Of the State IL from the Radicals aud
negroes and placed in Conservative hands Negro
S6 egc osa AND & radical oE a Ts
outvoted. The important question Is not, who vote
allies minority they would control the Govern
being majority, hey control the State, and the negroes
have no more effective power than N they did not vote
nj all The practical question for the Virginia Democrats
not whether tho negroes should yotefOr they had
no power 10 prevent hdt-but whether the negroes
the Democrats should be the side OF the majority.
by standing out against negro suffrage the Democrats
would have made futile show OF consistency, and have
lost all real power by orbearng further resistance TO
negro suffrage and making an alliance against tho Rad
Gals they have gained practical control and aseendaney
Republican supporters have severed themselves eec
tuay from the Radicals II they had Joined the Demo
cratic party II Walker ever expects 10 be reelected II
he and his Republican friends have any future political
aspirations they know that IL Is only by the aid OF tho
Democrats who have been their allies that they can
expect 70 succeed Beng thus dependent on Democrato
evident enough Therefore that by practically accept
ing negro suffrage, the Virginia Democrats have nuhed
aud destroyed negro influence. They have lifted them
selves from the position of al Isolated and iDapotent
non 70 one OF sSnonang powell They are ma
surrendered this advantage 70 the negroes They have
Will elect two United States Senators nnac.
cepable to them and Virginia viii be represented In
10 gain these great sdyahages the Virginia Democra
have made no real sacrifice for negro suffrage could
stoutly,"
@ Comments By The Tribune.
We venture to say that there is no boot
black, no coal-heaver, who read the above,
who did not perceive, ON the instant, that the
writer was intent on deception--that he was
trying to imbue others with a conviction he
did not entertain. You cannot play fast and
loose with 100000 voters as ae here pretends.
1t is undoubtedly true that the Virginia Demo
Gratis consented to Impartial Suffrage because
they could not help tlemselves-that theirs
was Hobson's choice. But it by no means fol-
lows that they can repudiate it hereafter, un.
less they prefer to go under and stay there. For
the Republicans, White and Black, with whom |
they have just voted, differ from the regular or
Wells Republicans, not with regard to Black |