The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-04-27


their celebration Of the adoption Of the
fifteenth amendment, invited him to be
present.
The Chief Justice, in this rather
striking aud concise epistle, while truo
to his opiuiOns so long publicly
proclaimed, is equally faithful to bis
broad and comprehensive platform of
universal amnesty. He correctly states
the nature of the fifteenth amendment
and tho extent to which it affects tho
laws of States. We may rely upon Il,
that in every case, in the South at least,
where, directly or by Inference, there is
an abridgment Of the privileges of the
voter sought to be established by the
amendment there will be Federal
interference. And that il a thing we
should avoid by the fraukest and
olearest practical acknowledgment of the
full force of the amendment.
But We only intended to introduce
the letter to the reader:
"WAsH1NaToN, March 80, 1870.
"Gentlemen Accept my thanks for
the invitation you have tondered me,
in behalf of the oolored people of
Cincinnati, to attend their celebration
Of the ratification of the fifteenth
amendment. My duties here will not
permit me to be present except by good
will and good wishes.
"Almost a quarter of. a century has
passed since some of you, probably,
heard me doolare, on the 9th of MAY,
la45, in an assembly composed chiefly
OF the people whom you now represent,
that oil distinctions between individuals
OF the same community founded on any
such circumstances as color, origin, and
the like, are hostile to the genius of
our institutions and incompatible with
the true theory Of American liberty
that true democracy makes no inquiry
about the color ofthe skin, or the place
OF nativity, or any other similor oir-
cumstancs of condition aud that tho
exclusion of the coloredpeople as body
from the elective franchise is incom.
patible with true democratic prinoi-
ples.'
"I congratulate you on the fact that
these principles, not then avowed by me
tor the first timo, nor ever since aban-
doned or compromised, have been at
length incorporated into the Constitution
and made part of the supreme law of the
land.
Many, no doubt, would have been
glad, as l should have been, if the great
work oonsummatedby the ratification of
the fifteenth amendment could have
been accomplished by the States through
amendment of State Constitutions aud
through appropriate State legislation T;
but the delays and uncertainties, pre-.
judicial to every interest, inseparable
from that mode Of proceeding seemed to
necessitate the course actually adopted.
Nor does the amendment impair the
real rights Of any State. It leaves the
whole regulation ofsutfrage to the whole
people of each State, subject only to
the fundamental law, that the right of
no citizen to vote shall be denied or
abriged on account of race, color or
previous condition of servitude. 1t is
to be hoped that each State vii! SO con.
form its Constitution ard laws to this
fundamental law that no occasion may
be given to legislation by Congress.
"But the best vindioation Of the wis
dom as we'll as justice oftho amendment
must be found in the conduct of that
large class Of citizens whom you re
present. On the occasion to which 1
have referred l venturod to say that
'the best way to insure the peaceful
dwelling together of the different races
is the cordial reciprocation of benefits,
not the mutual infliction oil injuries :
and cannot now give you better council
than l offered then: go forward, having
perfect faith in your own manhood and
in Gods providence, adding to your
faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge
and to knowledge, patience; and to pa
brotherly kindness aud to brotherly
kindness, charity"
"Why not signalize your rcjoicing 10
the rights secured under the fifteenth
amendment by urging upon Congress
the prompt removal of the political disa
bilities imposed upon our fellow citizens
By the fourteenth amendment? so that,
through universal suffrage and universal
amnesty, peace, good will, and prosperi-
ty, may be established throughout our
county.
"Every good man must rejoice in the
progress which the oolorcd citizens Of
the United States have made in educa-
tion, in religious culture. and in the
general Improvement of their condition.
Every good man must earnestly desire
their continued and accelerated progress
in the same direction. All public and
all private interests will be promoted by
it.; and it will insure, at no distant day,
cordial recognition Of their rights even
from those Of their fellow>o,tizens who
have most earnestly opposed them.
"No man oan now be found who
would restore slavery; few years
hence, if the colored men are wise, it
will be impossible to find man who will
avow himaelf In favor of dcnvino or