The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-10
Washington letter to the Baltimore G ,zett

a
says:
II Habeen observed that, since the Virginia
election universal" suffrage has become sur
newspapers. North and Soufh. But 1t could
not have been surmised that at SO early day,
journal known to DOS ess the confidence OF
tho extreme portion Of the present Cabinet.
would "go back" upon the very shlbboleth at
tn Radical party. Yet such il the case. In an
elaborate article, evidently written under the
inspiration of authority, and by another hand
chise ninety y-nile out OF every hundred negroes
now entitl ID to vete 1 quote ueroatia from
the Republican OF this city:
The system Of putting the ballot-bo1 into
the hands Of the ignorant masseB-no matter
OF what origin-it continued cannot fah to lead
to very serious, if not disastrous results. Con-
gress will be remiss in it's duty to the country
is contepded by many OF our ablest men, and
with great forcs Of argument, taat the best
sufftage qualification would be stability to read
and write the English language correctly.
With this as universal qualification test IN all
Federal and State elections, the ballot.oox
would be protected against ignorance. and, to
Very large exteot, against the possibility OF
corruption.
The brazan impudence OF this suggestion
(from such source) cannot be sufficiently ad-
mired. Who put '.the baot-box"-Q suppose
the author meant the ballot, but his phrase is
literally correct)-''lpto the hands Of the iguo.
rant nasses?" But lot that pasa. The remedy
act Of Congress-" But fearing some little dlt.
ficulty in that way. q s'sl1teenth amendment
is proposed as means of u doing the mischief
accomplished by the Reconstruction acts at the
South, and threatened by the fifteenth amend
ment 10 the North! The proposition is as fol-
lows:
portion of our citizens Of the right OF suffrage
already granted to them. There is no Ground
upoa which to blse such conclusi: n; but
if even the argument was sound it would afford
no plea against the proposed change IN the
laws governing the right OF suffrage. Suppose
Congress, during the next session, enacted
Sixteenth amendment to the constitution, re-
curing the qualification of ability to read
the condition of right OF suffrage, to take
effect in one. two, or any certain number OF
wears hence that might be agreed upon, and
called upon the different States to ratlfy their
act. what State or class OF intelligent citizens
,uld object to the proposition None What
ever. The measure would be universally popu-
lar, as aHording check against that control OF
the ballot.box by ignorance and corruption
now dreaded in the future by our wisest states
men.
The confession by an organ Of the admins
tratlon that the fundamental action OF the Rad
icai organization. ''if continued cannot tail to
lead to very serious. If not disastrous results"
ia important, and will be hailed as "toe ring OF
true metal" Yet the remedy suggested (be-
yond looking to tho dlsrranchlsemcnt OF some
white voters, is mere running around Robin
Hoods barn" Why not repeal the Recon-
struction laws-aloN tha Southern States to
alter their constitutions. enforced upon them
at the POINT OF the bayonet. and reject the FIJI
teenth auiendment2 These measures, liz cou-
pied with prudent alterations Of our naturali-
cation laws applicable to the Chinese and other
Pagan immigrants,) would effectually afford
81 check against that control OF the ballot-box
by ignorance and corruption" which has been
inaugurated by Radical rascallty, and now BIT
terly complained Of by their leading presses.
1t Will be seen that our government hos been
foed in its attempt underhandedly to buy
Cuba. Some OF the Northern papers assume
to give the precise instructions furnished to
Sc6es. At thu time OF his departure. and
even aforc it, the administration determined,
for reasons then fully stated, to throw cold VA
ter upon tho movement for Cuban indepen-
dence, unless annexation and Radicalism was
sure 10 follow in it's train. Hence, the vigorous
enforcement OF our ncu rality laws. and the at
tempt to purchase the island. The rumor now
is that the Ccspedes Government" has (atter
a iashion) toed the mark. and given the neces-
sary assurances OF ''luyalty." Hence, it may
be, that Span herself may be made tu eK-
perience the consequences OF daring to violate
our sacred neutral laws. There cannot, how
ever, of course, be any recognition" yet,
though for very different reason than that
assigned in Northern dispatches. Mr.. Fish
has very little respect fJr the ridiculous point
made by Sumner that such course would
comp!icate our relations with England 10 re-
spect to the Alabam imbrogIo.
The President. aln too, exhibited some
temper during his short stay here. He begins
to feel the cords about his limbs, and to DIS
ccru some OF the vaccinations OF the professed
politicians who surround him. he was much
irrItated at finding that Boutwell, had attempt
cd to interfere with certain persons 10 the
Southern States, III whose welfare le feels q
personal and lively Interest. 1he impression
is now almost universal that he will allow no
interference prsjuaicial to his blother-ln-law,
General Dent.
Ii is said to-day that his E1cellency peremn-
torily refused deed for iifty acres OF land
in the Jerseys, recent y rendered him by Mr..
Stetson, OF hotel notoriety. Previous accounts
stated otherwise. Mischlevous people, who
profess to know something of that section OF
the State, say that the land there is very pro-
ductlve-of sedge and mosquitoes-osheiw wise
of little value. But Of this de not profess
to have any official information.