The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-04-12
EHpct Of NEGRO Sufyrage.

Whether it was good policy to confer
the right Of suffrage upon the Negroes
is auestion which it is no longer ne
cessary to discuss. For good or for
evil that policysis fixed upon the coun.
try. Bat it may not be Improbable to
direct attention to the effect which the
exercise of that right, by the Negroes,is
likely to. have upon the politics and upon
the wclfare of thceountry.
That those ehfranchised by the fif-
teenth amendment will be allowed to vote
without hindrance, or even annoyance, is
sufficiently shown by the late elections
throughout this State. The novelty OF
the proceeding brought to the polls
almost every Negro voter in OHIO, and
yet whether there were one hundred or
but a single one to vote at a place, all
were ciyilly treated. We have heard of
no interference in any township or ward
in the State. !
Another fact shown by our late cleo
tions is, that fof the present, at least, the
Negroes will vote almost unanimously
with the Radical party. Doubtless graf
itude to those who gave them the privi-
legc of voting was the controlling inhu
ence in this. To supposethat they have
formed any opinions upon the issues
between the parties and to have been
guided in their votes by these opinions
is just simply ridiculous.
A majority of them viii probably FOL
some time cling 70 the Radical partyba'
unanimity among them will hardly con-
tinue beyond one or two elections. The
more intelligent ones will begia to pick
| mp some Grade notions Of political issues
and will and their interests naturally
gravitating them toward the Democratic
party.
Itis not to be expected that their feel
ings can be very strongly enlisted against
a party by pointing out to them the cor
ruptions or the profigacy of that party
Because, in the first place, as a race they
arc not distinguished for rigorous prin'
ciples of integrity; and, in the second
place, having little or nothing to be
taxed, high or low taxes are of the same
cost to them.
But they can be made to gee and fee
that high tariffs increase largely the price
of their frugal purchases. He will be
an unusually stupid Negro whose feel
ings cannot be wrought upon by proving
TO him that he is working six days for a
striped shirt and a pair of cross-barred
trowsers, when four days work ought to
buy them. In the severe winter weather
he viii probably want, in addition TO his
shirt and trowsers, pair of shoes and
some sort of coat. These will involve
the lisagrecablc necessity of four or five
more extra days work. The average
Negro appreciates the value Of his own
labor, and may even originate serious
doubts as to whether working for Yam.
!, kee manufacturer for nothing is not very
much like working for a cotton planter
for nothing. In such case he will be
very likely 20 let American labor pro
tect itself, while his vote will 60 to pro
tect African labor.
Butperhaps the most marked effect Of
Negro suffrage will be the extent te
which it will degrade and pollute oul
politics. In this the Negroes will be
merely the 'sinnocent cause" as they
were of the war. But their ignorance
credulity and Incidence will make then
| the constant prey of unscrupulous dem
agogues and bribery agents.
+. 1t is reasonably certain that in tht
Southern States, when the reins by which
the carpet baggers now drive the Ne
groes in herds to the polls shall have
been relaxed, and they allowed te
follow the bent of their own inclinations
the so called "God-given right of thu
average cotton-feld darkey can be pur
chased for a peck of corn-meal. Thi'
gives the rogues still further advantage.
Eovar honest men; while the history o
the last ten years shows very clearly tina
1.-THE rascals have stood in need Of no re
linforcements.
In this State the effect of the Negro
vote will scarcely be felt. The State con
ltains but about six thousand Negrt
voters, all told; and one-third, at least
lof these have been voting, in Radica
strong holds, for years past. And j
must not be forgotten that very con
siderable number of white voters have
abandoned the Radical party in conse
iqucnce of the enfranchisement of tn
Negroes by that party; o.-that in th'
entire State the difference inthe strength
of parties occasioned by the fifteenth
amendment is comparatively insignia
cant.
Grant In Bad Company.