New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-15
POLITICAL REFORM.
SENTIMENTS OF GERMAN-AMERICANS.

=, ~ no ,oeons accumulated by the fact that
If has saved the Union and bestowed upon 4Voo'V"
former slaves an the rights of eemen SO long as 'nere
c~s,s formidable and well-organzed enemy elinging
tepaeionslv TO the false teachings of white Mans
Government and state Rights" and which would, in
the event OF success the polls, plunge the land nOa
state of anarchy least impede the healthy progress
of the nation for years 10 come In view OF TINS oso
the duty dovolves upon the Republican party not TO
desst until those great principles for which II mas 80
VIGOROUSLY struggled TO the present day are secWou
bevOpd pcradVouture against any possible reac-
ton by the enactment of a series oil general
organic National and State laws What has oeeh oohe
SO far in this direction by amending the constitution anu
the enactment of appropriate legsauoh' hoNo''i
highly this must be esteemed ia not suicent anu can
NOT no called enactment of organic laws safeguards,
inasrpuch as the American popularity OF compromise
and halfway measures 10 effect the postponement OF
important decisions Of political principles Is SUN pre-
vailng in higher or lower degree. Was not the Re
Dublean marty compelled 20 acknowledge the Equality
of An Men, and incorporate this principle in the Const-
tution through and by the XVIII Amendment, only IN
consequence the hard logic of events and necessity VI
the OCCASION and in spite Of the Democratic partyf
No now issues or new parties required If the Re
publican party will only shape national and state legiS-
atou 70 the requirements of the present epoch ana IN
harmony with the changes wrought by the results OF the
war abolition Of Slavery and increasing tide oimnngra-
ton should the party fail TO perceive It's duty III '
regard. and give only half measures as 'ne re ~
local special. and patched legislation, wastes i'
strength: and bv creating quarreSome facuohs III "'
own ranks history would day record that II ~ ho'
understand the duty Of hour, and had ded an lsho
mnious death t. however, the party persists III p'ins
ing 10 their fu uiton those principles whoh unuelIe
itstructure bv cuacting organic laws covering 'nou
sired ground aud makes this part OF It's raI!lhg cI!5
many wears of nseiu life will yet be extended olt ana
~ victory over the socaed Democratic party Will re-
main upinerrurtcd nasmuch as the latter SONY intent
on presenting such principles or issues inc Peop as
have long since been disavOwed and dlschlihed Inc
line of delnarkaton the two parties is thus
easily drawn. and the points which most need organic
LEGISLATION are those found within the fundamental Ir
ce Of the Republican party and caused by the changes
wrought within the last decade.
I-EDUCATIoN AND INSTRUCTION
All sudden millions Of former slaves devoid OF all
education have been endowed as free and equal citizens
Hundreds Of thousands of emigrantsthe most OF whom
belong to rude and classes Of inhabitants OF the
other hemsphereand yearly on our hosptable shores
and acquire the rights with natyeoorn citizehs
In the face of these garng facts, is there more urgent
need for the Republican party than to successfully soNe
The problem OF systematic general education wch shah
AT once present the freest and best of all similar systems
in the world Switzerland understood this Important
nroem for she began TO solve it, Immediately AFTER hef
war of separation had closed, In the interest Oh true
liberty and opposed TO the fanatcsm ana ignorance
carefully nursed and famed into flames by designing
and crafty priesthood Yet how little heed Das been
bestowed on the warning voices that have repeatedly
been heard legislative halls in relation 10 ue
necessity of thorough reform in our national system OF
education! And this at time when the attacks Oh It.
lcous sects upon free schools become daily more
numerous and threatening Therefore, let the first
plank of future Republican platforms consist OF fee
and moderate system of public schools based most
puroyed plans Of education, embracing schools OF every
grade for adults as wen for children and minors, with
out sectarian distinctions, making schooling ana euuca
ton obligatory every citizen.
u-CITIzENsHIP AND NATURALIZATION.
Congress alone power TO legislate on naturaiza-
ton; nevertheless conflicting laws are yet extant among
the different States and the cries of state Rights ana
oCenrazation have hitherto frightened the people OF
the Union from enacng universal law this point,
which should withdraw its discussion altogether from
the States The nativebOrn the foreigner who comes
here in his teens, acquires the right OF ctzesp ana
voting without the slightest effort certainly without
being required furnish proof as TO definite ideas OF
duties. privileges, responsibility involved. All re-
lgous civil or social communities and societies require
the candidate TO be properly examined, previous to
admission to his qualifications, and the admission
takes place under certain FORMS calculated to call atten
ton to the importance of the act Should all this be en-
tirey superauous in acquiring citizenship OF these
United States though the auxiliary duties OF voting
militia and Jury service Of no material consequences
It should duty devOlyng upon the party that has
liberated the slave 10 regulate TINS question; so
that the native-bOrn white, black, or red man, the
emgrant from Europe and ASIA may acquire cltzenshp
under ike and equal conditions and following the same
rules and regulations. Action on this question should
not be delayed fraudulent certificates OF naturaza-
ton already threaten TO give full sway the enemy
republic that offers TO all alike an opportunity to acquire
by education the necessary qualifications for proper
exercise Of the duties Of citizenship surely has the right
10 make this boon dependent on the qualifications.
American citizenship would rise in the esteem Of all,
native "a well foreign born would be proud OF the
title "American Citizen" and election frauds would
meet with insurmountabe obstacles Should any one
lazVO iODOr 10
acquiring citizenship, be deprived from exercising his
rights such thereby the community would surely not
lose thereby nasmueh every owes portion Of his
time and a citizen to his native adopted
country.
HI.-POPULAR SUFFRAGE AND ELECTION LAWS.
Universal suffrage is, without doubt the only safe
guard Of Republic Late events have proved, however
that this right in its degeneracy-as in France for In
staDce-may serve TO found military desposm, in
New-York City, it foundation for the rule of
an oligarchy supported by demagogues and mobocracy
and whenever il is exercised in a rude and mOrganized
manner it dcgenerates. AL efforts hitherto made, de
from the Republican party, and were met 6y the most
vehement opposition of the Democrats; This demon
strates the regulating Of popular suffrage through
national legislation and thorough reform IN existing state
laws pertaining thereto should heDceorth be one OF the
important panks IN Republican platforms questions
like that Of PrOpOrtOnate Representation, at present
practced in Illinois and perhaps me question OF female
suffrage thus he satisfactorily decided No cool and
clear thinking man. that considers the existing circum
stances and facts when ne stlves Iot tne accomplish
Inent OF purpose viii think OF granting the right OF
suffrage at present under It's rude ana uncOuh
mde Of exercise thu. 10 nlso1gaze soSfS Or Pecip
tendant corruption Yet the day Is not dlstant, when
woman TO exercise the privilege OF suffrage, without
forcing her acts derogaOry to ner position or domestic
life and existence
IVA NATIONAL SYSTEM OF MILITARY DUTY AND DE-
In this respect as Others the great Republic can
rntabv emulate her smaller European sister Switzer-