Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-19

States, was entitled to the rights of citizen
ship and the protection Of the government.
So when in 1868 General Ames was ap-
pointed Provisional Governor of Mississip-
pi, he entered upon the discharge Of the
duties Of that Office thoroughly prepared
BY habit of thought and principle to look
upon black and white alike as regarded
their civil and political rights, and in that
light he has conducted his administration.
1t is not because General Ames has been
unjust to the whites that democratic papers
denounce him, but because unlike some
Northern men who go South, he held to
principle and dared to be just to the me-
groes, and the whites who were opposed 10
secession. His crime in their eyes is
that he would not take the voice of the old
democratic rebel oligarchy as the voice Of
the State, but permitted the poor white and
black TO have an equal vote with their
quondam lords and masters at the polls. 3
Now as to the allegation that Mississippi
would not be republican were it not for
fraud and military despotism, it is grossly
inconsistent with facts that are open to
anybody who cares to look for them.
There is nobody will dispute that the
negroes when left to vote as they are in
cined will support the republican party.
When negroes vote the democratic ticket
it is from compulsion or some other inn
proper influence. 1t has been found that
however ignorant they may be about other
matters, they know to what party they
are indebted for their freedom, and nat
urally choose to 60 with their friends
rather than their enemies. By the census of
1860 there were 436. 631 slaves in the State,
while the whites were only $685. Here
then is clear preponderance of black
voters. nearly all of which would vote the
republican ticket if not intimidated. The
relative proportion Of white and black has
not changed much probably since 1860.
The war reduced both classes, but tho
blacks we presume still hold the superb
ority in numbers.
And while the colored vote may fairly
be reckoned unit for the republican party,
the white vote is divided between demo-
Gratis and republicans. In 1860, under the
stimulus Of opposition to an anti-slavery
candidate for President, the vote was
divided as follows: Breckenridge. 40.-
1877; Bell. 25.o4o; Douglas. 3.2s3. 1t is
safe to say that the twenty-eight thousand
votes cast against Breckenridge at that
election are represented by IN equal
number in the State at this time. which
increased by the carpet-bagger vote and
the negroes is enough to keep Mississippi
republican without fraud or force, by a
good round fifty thousand majority. There
is no possibility Of its going democratic
at any future election except by cheating
or frightening the negroes to vote contrary
to their inclinations. General Ames has
prevented. not perpetrated, fraud; this is
the offence for which he is abused.
In regard to his election as Senator, the
objection is made that he is not citizen
Of the State. As the constitution of the
United States only requires that he shall
be an inhabttant, not q citizen. Of the State
for which he Is chosen, the objection has
no force, even if he were not citizen Of
the State. We presume our constitution
loving democrats will not raise this point
again, but allow General Ames to wear
his honors in peace. and Mississippi to 60
her way with the republican party where
she rightfully belongs. W