The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-20
~ s.ates and the Right Of Suffrage

yryIrTRSf&f So = - 0f@SNs t
-, -..+es and the Right Of Suffrage.
ne ronl,ing to the New York word /
,rh,cb appeals to the Democrats Oh ene
sn,,tn not to bring defeat upon shcir parry
,r donving the validity Of the h'teeh'n
ac,;clc Of amendments to the Federal Con-
st;tution, the Augusta (Gcorgta) co"s''"-
t,onaitst says: e@#
mThere is but one answer to this appeal.
?, .h.t tho question of suffrage netone,
aa,.c,nsiycly to the States. Tue feueia'
Governmcnt transcribed It's icSiLiliase
bounds in assuming to d'ctsW oa sn ni;rn r
!c ,n nrinciple. will recognize this propo-
49, ~ What the States may do, and espe-
s iii ,,b.t The southern States may con-
s;s"y oxnnd;cnt on this SUI ject, Is a queStlon
s su,' sho,,Id hc lett exclusively with them.
ia 49,, ho thai the latter are willing TO give
II y fair trial. But they Shonia insists anu
democrats everywhere shouid lnsisI' tnat
suffrage is a domestic question, ana .nat
No authority outside OF state Shotlld ne
rccornized as having power to interfere
with II. a-~-. --.-.-r.-
But the Federal Constitution already
provides that negroes and whites shall vote
upon the same terms. Does the ConShtu-
t,oaalia mean to say that this provision OF
that instrument is.to be set aside and disre-
carccd as being null and voidy If 1t does
it will find no allies in Virginia. The Dem
ocrats could not carry single northern
State upon such platform. ST
A few of our southern contemporaries VIII
pardon us for the remark-for they know
that we are as earnest in our support OF
right and Justice as they themselves are
that we are amazed at their extrayagant no
tions and suggestions. They propose i'm
possibilities. Can they hope for victory by
cutting loose from half the army with
which they hope to triumph before the bat
tie is begun? Can they not forget the old
line of argument, the old phrascology OF
political polemics, now that revolution
has swept away the whole ground upon
which the old issues were fought? 1t IS
certainly time they had learned little Wis
dom; and, in view of circumstances which
they cannot change. like brave men, they
should make the best Of the situation and
fight CALAMITY through the difficulties that
beset them. We trust that the South, al
least, will not bc influenced by the passion
ste counsels of those who either do not see
or do not understand the changed aspect OF
political affairs in this country. Theirs IS
the wisdom Of the man who, in front OF
stone wall, swears it is not where 1t Is, ana
rushes madly upon it simply to crack his
own skull.
While on the subject, we have the follow
to1o nh
Washington to the Baltimore Sum-
"The Democratic caucus at its meeting
tonight finally concluded to issue ma
tional address. which should cover in Il
general manner all the political questions
at issue up to the present time. The south
ern Democrats have no opinions to ofler,
but left everything to be made up n.y. their
northern brethren. The address will not
be issued until after the passage OF the
pendins kukluX bill. 1t will set forth that
the Democracy fully abide by all the ques-
tions settled by the passage OF the four
teenth and fifteenth amendments, and that
there is no disposition to dispute any of
the legal consequences which may follow
from the same. Then touching upon what
the questions involved in the proposition
are, 1t will conclude with an indictment Of
the entire policy of the Republican party
This is exactly right. The South should
leave the matter, rs it is said to have LETT it
in this case, to the people of the North,
who have the brunt Of the battle to bear.
1t would have been better, we believe,
had this been the poicyrat the time Of the
Democratic convention in New York in
'6s TO nominate a candidate. for the Presi-
dcrcy. The South but embarrassed the
convention, and led IL into a great blum
de-.
The Democratic party-we should rather
SOY the NATIoN-cannot afford to be beaten
in another Presidential campaign. Four
years more Of Radical rule will fasten Il
despotism upon this country not excelled
in past history for its vulgarity and bru-
tality. The question is one deeper than
party; it strikes to the very heart of the
nation. 1t involves the honesty and dignity
of public administration, fealty to the Con- |
stitution and laws, and the very peace of
the Union.
The great body of honest citizens, under |
whatever name, who desire to save the |
country from the fate of Il premature sub /
lection to arbitrary power, and that in the |
most obnoxious form, should unite. and |
shoulder to shoulder fight the battle out to |
the conclusion. 1t would. indeed, be utter /
madness to divide them upon any untimeIy |
issues upon things past and settled. There /
is enough to threaten us in the future to /
nerve every arm and till every heart with /
resolution. 1t is seldom that any struggle |
involves more than will be thrown properly |
and wisely into the next Presidential cam
paign. 1t would be idle to add anything not |
lnseparable from it. If triumph is gained |
upon what thus properly belongs to the
campaign, more will have been accomplish |
ed than was ever achieved ut any former |
political epoch in our country. And the |
people will have more cause to rejoice than
they have had since the Revolution and the |
triumph in the war Of rs.
If good policy and wisdom shall control
the councils of the opposition to Radical |
ism, We have no doubt Of a grand victory. |
1t is unprecedented that war party should |
long survive u war that created it. The
present war party upon every ground of
reason and political philosophy should soon
die. 1t is indispensable to the peace and
dignity of the country that it should. Those
opposed to it should have no jars amongst
themselves. They should sacrifice I'LL per-
sonal and sectional prejudices and ideas
upon the altar Of the country. The war
~