New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-20
pJGUT-ABsTR1cT AND CONCRETE.


Though the subject of securing the Political
Rights of all innocent citizens by Constitu-
tional Amendment has been all Winter before
Congress, we have had little to say upon IT..
We should have much preferred provision
for Universal Amnesty in the same measure
with Impartial Suffrage but that was not
attainable, and we long since concluded, when
we could not get exactly what we wanted, to
take the best we could get. If we have con-
sidered the action on this subject of the House
in the main wiser than that of the Senate, our
reason is found in the fact that the House
proposition seemed the more likely to meet
with favor in the State Legislatures, three
fourths OF which must ratify the Amendment
70 render it n part of the Constitution. We
should much prefer any of the propositions
fayorably received in either House to nothing
while we could have framed one that we should
have preferred to any of them. And, in spite
of temporary discouragements, we have not
failed TO cherish the hope that an effective and
practicable measure would ultimately be agreed
on. We approve what is aimed at by all the
Republican propositions, and cannot doubt that
SO much good will find or make way.
Yet, while we are not tenacious OF the form
which the proposed Amendment shall take, we
do not the less desire that it shall be so gen.
erous and comprehensive rs to leave no fair
excuse for further agitation with regard to the
Constitutional and legal rights of those who,
till recently had no rights that our Judge
Taneys and Gen. FORESTS were bound to re-
spcct; and we regret to see in any other than
an ayowedly Democratic journal such logic as
the following from The n. ]. Times:
"TnE RIGHT OF NEGROES TO oTrIcE;-senntor VII
son has the reputation OF being practical seeking
10 accomplish practical results rather than establish
theories or indulge the faneles OF speculative phosO
Amendment concerning suffrage unless be 50 shaped
10 negroes the right to hold once as well as
value does Mr. Wilson hope to reach by this prcyision
DO public Offices high and low, stand In sucn des
perate OF negro assistance TO render IL mpera
tive give negroes the right to hold themt But giving
them the ri1ht will necessarily give them the Offices
They must either be elected to office by the people or
must be appointed by the appointing power Eyen ~
their speedily getting Office In either OF these ways
Wherever the Whites have very decided majority OF
or TO be Governor member Of State Legislature, in
preference to of their own color-and in tho few
equally clear that the they will elect are no great
SSs TO aS Il S ES c
is not suffering any serious damage from the lack OF saeh
provision as a no nscaCS nS To-
us that Mr. would be acting much more wisely In
securing to negroes the right vote, than deprvng
right Of being Voted for Nor is it by any certain
that, as citizens they have not that right already
Comments by The Tribune.
We quite agree with The Times that negroes
are likely to get precious Few offices i'll this
country and those few generally poor ones.
They are small fraction of our people, and
certain to be q less and less considerable mi
nority with each decimal census. They are
not equal, as q body. in education, property,
social standing, or general capacity, to a like
number of Whites. They are an unpopular
minority, and can never assimiate with our
native Whites as readily and heartily as the
Irish or the Germans will; yet these, though
numerically and every way stronger than the
Blacks, get few important offices, except in
cities where they have a local preponderance.
If Black aspires to an office, 1t will always
DO said, justly or unjustly, that his claim to it
is based, not on his fitness, but his color.
There is no danger that any man now living
will ever SEQ Black President or Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States, nor even Black
Cabinet Minister or Penipotentiary.
And yet, we cannot consider their exclusion
from office, by Federal or by State Constitu-
tons, a matter of no practical consequence. 1t
it is at least q brand-a stigma-an invidious
and CALLING distinction. The bitter fruits of
such exclusion, awlessly effected are now seen
in Georgia, where the work of Reconstruction
is wholly arrested by it. Whatever is wrong
in theory is sure, sooner or later, to work evil
in practice; and it is very short-sighted in
those who count themselves practical men
TO ignore this truth.
Editors VI newspapers ale very seldom chosen