The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-02-12
:mhe Get1l MaNyht9
ELKTON, FEBRUARY IL, 1870.
Qualified Suffrage.


This is likely to be leading question in
the future politics of the country. The
Fifteenth Amendment, which will soon he
in force in every State in the Union, will
add largely to the voting population of the
country: and as that vote will represent
hut a limited amount of education, in the
aggregate, many honest, thoughtful per-
sons, of 4 conservative turn of mind, ex-
press fears for the future Of the State and
the Nation. \ large per cent. of the foreign
population, who have been taught to look
upon all law as unnatural and unjust re-
strain, upoa personal liberty, in the coun-
try of their nativity, where oppression 5
heavy hand is felt, and where taxation
without representation is the policy OF
monarchy, bring to this free land the preju-
dces and antagonism to government, and
wholesome laws, enacted by the united
voice of the whole people for the good ei
the whole, which have been engendered
under Royal government. They do not
discriminate between the latter and gov
eminent "ef the people, by the people,
and for the paop,e," but Prefer tu buenee
and disorder to wholesome, restraining
laws and COED government. Yet this ele-
ment is part of our voting population.
The class Of new-made vsters who are
about to acquire the right to form part
of the body polite of the country, though
lackin. sadly in scholastic attachments,
have proven themselves, on almost every
occasion, when they have been tested, law
abiding and orderly people. Nevertheless,
there is no true criterion or solid ground
work for republican go. eminent, save in
the Intelligence of the people. This fact
is acknowledged in the universal support
given to free schools. And the system of
public education is yearly claiming more
of our time, attention and money, so that
it may be set down as fundamental truth,
that general education is the policy Oh
which our system of government rests.
This important point established, it is a
grave consideration, soon to occupy no in
significant part in our politics, whether all
Of the qualification of voters.
With the avenues of education open tc
ALL it will in future be pretty good critic
rion when young man is found unable to
read and write, that he is incompetent t.
take care of himself, and cannot add to tn,
wisdom and strength Of government by
being voter.
Female suffrage is another question which
is looming up for future disposal, and ever.
reader, though but casual, must acknowl
edge the rapid strides it is making toward
the goal of success. The ''strong- minded
and their friends are met with ridicule and
pleasant railery, but it is noticeable that
few attempts are made at grave argnment
in opposition to their claims to the ballot.
One of the young States of the West has
already treated the subject of female suf-
the right which the ladies claim and there
is every prospect that what a strong party
SO earnestly and untirinsly urge, and no
party seriously opposes, will eventually be
balls, gain weight and power as they are
pushed forward.
Here VIC behold still another power aim
ing to make itself felt at the polls, and
threatening to add a hundred per cent. OF
weight to the already ponderous political
machine, and warns us that that machine
should be constructed of none but the
strongest and best materials and that al
indispensable material, superfluous weight
and redundant matter should be Topped off.
in order that mind may retain the ascend
ency in our system of government. Will
this guaranteed, no power on earth car
shake it, or endanger the perpetuity and
power of republican government.
We therefore look forward to the next
decade to bring MS face to face with these
important political questions when intelli
The immense mass of ignorance and vice
which is fastening on to the polls in all oul
large cities, so easily and skilfully managed
by corrupt men, is alarming to every love-
Of popular government, and the only rem
edy which seems at all competent to crap
pie successfully with this great and con
stantly growing danger, is education as {;
test for furture voters. Every man, OF
woman either, if you please, who is admit
ted to vote ten years hence, at furthest
should hold an educational qualification
and none other should have the right of TIL.
ballot. Those in possession of the priv
lege pr or to that time should Of course b.
allowed to retain it, but new voters SHOULD
be submitted to the educational test