The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-01
pTg COMMUNICATED
THE ELECTIONS.
A Few Plain Remarks.

. NO. vi. . -s
Perhaps some think that some of the sub
jects discussed in these essays belong more
properly to Presidential than a State cleo
ton, but to this it may be well replied,
that, at this Juncture, every election is more
or less connected with the Presidential
election next ensuing. The coming State
election is indeed the beginning of the
Presidential fight of 1872 and the soldiers
OF the two grand armies are how but 'spick-
ing their flints" for that great struggle.
The Conservatives are evidently bearing it
in mind that a defeat at the election III No
vcmber, will be but the precursor Of defeat
in the Presidential contest next year and
that every defeat is q damage. The. Re-
publicans will do well to be as s:gacio,,s in
this regard as their political adversaries.
Besides, there are but two contending
parties, and everything that tends to bring
out in clear relief the real character of
either, Is legitimate subject Of exposition
and discussion. And hence some of Che
"reminiscences OF Democratic party which
have appeared in these articles.
Again assuming the practical, address
this number to the colored voters of the
State. ,71
You have an especial interest in the re-
there are many of your interests which will
be in the hands of the next Legislature.
The free school system, for example.
may be materially modified, or perfectly
or imperfectly administered, as the domi-
ilant majority may choose, and by fixing
The bonds of public officers at a yerv high
amount, you may be as cflectually cut Off
from all pnblic office, as if you were exclu-
died by actual constitutional prohibition,
and so of other of your interests. ari
But the point of danger to you is, that
the next Legislature may, if it have a con-
trolling Conservative majority, call con-
yentlon to revise the constitution, and the
result of that revision may he Serious in
road upon your right of suffrage. -
OF course no effort will be made to abro-
Fate totally your right to vote, because ar
iclc ID of the amendments to the constitu-,
on, abolishes, as to suffrage, all distinction
as 20 race or color.
But your rights may be materially alb
hreviated by lessenmg the number entitled
10 vote, and this may be done, and lawful |
~ done, by the simple process Of changing |
and raising the suffrage qualification. No |
discrimination between whites and blacks |
will be thought of, but an article NAV be |
put IN a new constitution recurring the pos |
session of acertain amount of property or |
ct education, or both, as qualification for |
voting. 1t may provide, that to be o yo-
ter, the party must own $3.50 or $500 worth |
OF property, or that he may be able to read |
and write; or it may require both a pro- |
perty and educational qualification.
This, as before said, will be all legal; |
only that there shall be no Discrimination I
against the colored race. And so by
change of qualification the number of |
colored voters may be reduced to iiisignifi-
canoe.
Suppose the constitution TO be so changed
as to require that the voter shall be the
owner of $500 worth Of property; how
many colored voters would there be in the
state and suppose that he be also re-
CURED to be able to read and write, how
many then? .rf-ssss.i ,,.s'..-.--
But will such an amendment be attempts
ed? 90 So . = x
just as certain as the Legislature meets.
it Is the darling project of the Conserva-
uves; It IS their great political hope and
calculation. Their purpose is scarcely dis
guised. The pledges Of the Conservatives
to Congress and the country, in lSG9-7o,
that the constitution Of 1867 should have
ialr trial, are pretty generally considered as
having run out, and nothing but
lear Of Congress win prevent the
call OF conventions. And | now predict !
that the moment the Democratic or Con-
servatlve party gets in possession of the
Federal Government, every Southern State
that now has universal suffrage, will at
once SO amend its Constitution as to have
a qualified suffrage, and in that way strike
at the negro vote. ,.,., .
The colored voters may now see what !
interest they have in the result of the No
elections. Their right to vote.
which Is their shield and buckler-their
great and conclusive tlelence-wll be at !
issue. ae HAMILTON.