The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-08-03

fore the grand elemental truths on
which its rightfulness was based by
Jefferson and the Continental Con-
gress of '76 viii no longer be regarded
as "glittering generalities," but will
have become the universally accepted
and hOnored foundations of our politi-
cal fabric.
| demand the prompt application of
those, principles to our existing con-
dition. Having done what I could for
the complete emancipation of blacks,
l now insist on the full enfranchise-
ment of all my white eountrymen.
Let none say that the ban has just
been removed from all but q few hum
dred elderly gentlemen, to whom
eligibility to office can be of little
consequence. My view contemplates
not the hundreds prescribed but the
millions who are denied the right to
be ruled and represented by the men
of their unfettered choice. Proscrip-
ton were absurd if these did not wish
to elect the very men whom they are
forbidden to choose. ssss.s
i have o profound regard for the
people OF that New England wherein
was born, in whose common schools
| was taught. i rank no other people
above them in intelligence, capacity,
and moral worth. But, while they do
many things well, and some admirably,
there is one thing which | am sure
they cannot wisely or safely under
take, and that is the selection, for
States remote from and unlike their
own, OF the persons by whom those
States shall he represented in Con-
gress. 1t they could do this to- good
purposes then republican institutions
were unfit, and aristocracy the only
true political system. q ~. s. -: q
Yet what have we recently wit
nescedg Zebulon b. Vance, the un-
questioned choice of large majority
OF the present Legislature of North :
Carolina a majority backed by ma
Jorlty of the people who voted at its
ciection:-refused the seat in. the Fed
eral Senate to which he was fairly
chosen, and the Legislature thus con-
strained to choose another in his stead
or leave the State unrepresented for
years. The votes of New England
thus deprived North Carolina of the
Senator of her choice, and compelled
her to send another in his stead-an-
other who, in our last contest, was,
like Vance, a rebel, and a fightings
rebel, but whe had not served i'm.
Congress before the war as Vance
had, though the latter remained faith
full to the Union till after the close Of
his term. protest against the dis
franchisement of State -presump-
lively, of q number of States-on
grounds so narrow and technical as
this. The fact that the same Senate
which refused Vance his seaE proceed
ed TO remove his disabilities after that
seat had been filed by another, only
serves to place in stronger light the
indignity to North Carolina and the
arbitrary, capricious tyranny which
dictated it. i thank you, gcntlemeH,
that my name is to. be ,e0nspicuonsly
associated with yours in a determined
effort to render amnesty complete and
universal, in spirit as well as in letter.
Even defeat in sueh cause would
leave no sting, while triumph would
rank with those victories which no
blood reddens and which evoke no
tears but those of gratitude and joy.
Gentlemen, your platform, which is
also mine, assures me that Democracy
is not henceforth to stand for one
thing and .Republicanism for another,
but that those terms are to mean in
politics, as they always have meant
in the dictionary, substantially one
and the same thing-namely, equal
rights, regardless of creed, or cline,
or color. I hail this rs genuine new
departure from Outwofn feuds and
meaningless contentious in the alirec-g
tion OF progress and reform. Wheth-
er / shall be found worthy to bear Tile
standard of the great Liberal move
ment which the America people have
inaugurated is to be determined not,
by words but by deeds. With me if
Isteadily advance, over me If I falter,
its grand array moves Oh to achieve
for our country her glorious, benei-
cent destiny. sgmsL NJ adj
/ remain, gentlemen, yours,
s'''s HORACE GREELEY.