The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-09
TOUR CORRESPONDENCE
REVIEW OF "ENFRANCHISE-
MENT."
FOR THE LOUISIANIAN.


Mr. Editor-I find in your valuable
journal, No. 10, an editorial under the
caption of "Enfranchisement," in which
I find advanced sentiments which to me
appear dangerous, and to which Ibeg
small space to present a few objections
You say, "The acknowledgements =
degenerates into o weapon of tyranny, if
prolonged after the relations of the States
with the Federal Government have been
satisfactorily restored" II lo atn% "a
Now sir, permit me to inquire, have
not the Federal Government in restor-
ing those States and emitting the en-
reimbursement of those "rebels," given
testimony to the Nation, that they were
not yet ready to give those men their
sanction to vote I? Was it not in the
power of the Federal Government, if they
felt the nation in all its parts protected
and safe," to remove all political disabil-
tiles, if they were satisfied with the spi-
rit and temper of oil the men Of those
States |? l-t 80 rca.,a0 - a|
Suppose prisoner in his cell was to
have the news borne to him, that the
State was SO well pleased with all the
prisoners in the State prison, as to re-
lease them oil and yet he was held fast
in his cell, and all the balance turned out,
would he not be convinced, after he had
appealed to the Government by I'LL pos
sible means, that the State was not salts
fed with him, for he was not released ?
just so, it appears to me, about the Fed
eral Government 1t had not good, nor
sufficient evidence, that all the men OF
those States were loyal and they adj
NIT the loyal part, and those who blind
ly were led into the error, but left
another part to prove themselves by
their works. ig46- .. ..lta
The great trouble to my mind is, that
we, as colored men, place too much con-
fdence in those who have had the con-
troll over us in other days, without re-
quiring sufficient guarante for what is
promised; but Uncle Sam, who has been
dealing with all kinds of wise men for
the last hundred years, must be consitl
cred better qualified to estimate those
grave questions than we who We're just
born few days ago! I'D r"
And it may be well for us to hold on
till We have, at least, a few years growth,
before we talk too loud of tyranny be
cause some stubborn hearted men wont
bow to the mild request of the Federal
Government. i'a" p" @
But again, You sir, call in question
1.-The fears of devoted Republicans" if the
rebels all over the Country are permitted
to vote" af $3.50
The very fact, that devoted Repub-
licans are, "as you say" in direct opposi-
ton to this doctrine" is enough to make
every colored man flee from it as man
would from the kissing viper.
Upon what grounds do those Repubi-
cans base their fears, sir"
We must admit it is on the grounds OF
Political experience. An experience that
is to them, by reason Of repeated strug-
giles, in tears, sweat and blood, that
causes them to view, in some small de-
gree, the end from the beginning. A
contest that sir, has desolated hundreds
of thousands of firesides, and filled ovel
| a million of graves with the flower Of the
nation, to secure to us the Rights we
hold, alone by the power vested in Re
publican Congress and Senate. And i
the rebels all over the Country are allow
ell to vote, and the number Of colored
voters that don't sec any danger in
Democrat more than a Republican, and
others that can be inundated from vot-
ing at all in those States, is there not
lust cause for fear!"
You say, "of this result we have no
fears"
Now Mr. Editor, permit me to enquire
of you, what security has the colored man
inhis present condition, outside Of the Re
publican Party? And what would have
been the force of Congressional enact
ments if they had not had the sword to
enforce them in our favor? t.r g.
| All must admit that not an amendment
known as the thirteenth, fourteenth and
6ftaepth wo,ld have been worth to III