The Van Buren press., 1870-04-05
Negro Suffrage in the Northern States

franchisemcnt could not have been sccur-
ed in The Southern States, had it not
been done by force of the military arm
Of the Government That 1t does not
meet the views Of the people; that the
great mass Of the people deem it destruc-
five Of the best interests of the Nation,
both North and South, and that as no sa.
trap, surrounded by glittering bayonets,
sits en,hroned at the capitals of the
Northern States, they will not submit to
the NVth amendment, but will refuse po-
litical afiiliation with the negro, How
egregionsly such predictions will fall
short of verifcation, time will very soon
demonstrate.
On the 22d of February last Republi
can State Convention convened at India
napolis, in the State Of Indiana, compos-
ed Of whites and blacks and the most
perfect good feeling prevailed. One w.
L. Malone, from New Albany, was Vice
President, from the State at large, who
is a colorcd man; besides, there were
present five other colored delegates, rep.
rcsenting WHITE CONSTITUENCY ofWayne
and Floyd counties. Among other reso-
lutions. one was adopted rejoicing at the
ratification Of the XVth amendment
We are all prone to forget, that, al
though force may beget ideas, yet these
ideas, when once full grown, control our
actions, ottentimes imperccptibly. The
idea of the freedom of the negro was. of
course, readily associated with his full
and perfect Acknowledgement. This was
essential in order to perfect the theory,
(ifit can be perfected Of his equality
with the white race. If the Republican
party had stopped short Of this, they
would have thrown upon the country an
ignorant, imbccile class Of people, with
nopocer to protect their rights. Having
given them this "power," it remains to
be seen IL the negro can become the equal
of the white man, by judicious exercise
Of it. He has now the highest attributes
Of nh American citizen. He can vote and
hold Office The XVIII amendment hav-
ing completed the work of enfranchise
ment, the Republican party has fulfilled
its mission in the United States, and un-
less Cuba or some other field presents it
self, they have no farther work to per-
form Their arms and engines OF war
were prepared with nm especial reference
to tho work now completed and are use
less for other conflicts. They have put the
negro upon perfect equality with the
white man, so far MS this can be done 10y
legislation and military force. Any fur
ther effort to mid him, will belle their
theory and be an implied denial of his
"pe.fcct equality"
The fitness of the negro for full citi-
xenship, has completely taken possession
ofthenorthern mind, so far as the republi-
cans of the North are concerned These,
then, will advocate full compliance with
the 18th amendment. The Democracy
of the North will not hesitate to full en-
dorse the result Of the amendment, be-
cause it is the Inst work of " republican
isn,," and completes the cycle of the po-
litical life of the Republican party. They
will profit by the fate Of the South and
will refrain from furnishing by. their con
duct, vitality to the Republican party.
The Northern Democracy have nothing
TO gain by opposition to the results of
this amendment. Their time for battle
was during its pendency before the States
1t is now a fixed fact, and they have no
power to change It. BY its success their
party has been decimated. They are the
weaker power and all the floating power
has passed from them and has sided with
the Amendment They may regain this
lost power by submitting to the result,
and the want Of national life in the Re-
publican party, will finally end in the tri-
umph of Democratic principles. The
principles Of true Democracy must ever
live as long as our form of Government
continues. The Republican party was
born in fanaticism and lived for II purpose
That purpose is accomplished. What
further use is this party to the nation 7
What principle does it contain in its plat
form, Of national character, not found
in the old democratic creed. At all
events it can only live to wear the cast
off garments of the old whig party. The
battles Of the tariff, bank policy and pub
lie lands, must be again fought. The
National Debt will be paid, no matter
what party is in the ascendency. Moth
ing can crown Che banners of Repuda-
tion with the garlhds Of victory, except
extravaganza In the management of the
Government The Republican party is
paying the debt by accumulating misery
and want upon the people. Having no
longer the touching theme Of "galling
chains" "bloody backs" slave driy-
ers,' and "slavc drivers whips,' with
which To excite the Northern mind 10