New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-26

/ THE FIREMAN A1D THE FREEDMAN.
/ We have remarked that this question o.
railroad subscription has given rise t.
| inquiries involving consequences far more
important than this road. 1t is thus thai
the railroad tax has opened an issue
which the politicians had concealed. We
may anticipate that those who did not
inherit property, and whose toll has not
yet been rewarded by its acquisition, will
see the extent to which they have been
used by those who possess property and
dislike to pay high taxes upon it.
Il It will not give ofense to those voters
whose interests we represent on Republi-
can principles, if We tell them that they
stand il exactly the same political posi-
ton with the colored voter; that the At
tack on colored suffrage is an assault on
non-property holders and non-educated
suffrage, and that if the aristocratic Dem
ocracy shall succeed in repeating or re-
stricting negro suffrage by prescribing q
property or educational qualification the
same limitation of suffrage will fall on
tho landless white man. Such an educa-
tional qualification will disable at present
more colored than white voters, but the
rule that man who owns no property
shall lave no vote would deprive thou
sands of intelligent laboring white men
Of the right to 60 to the polls. 1t
would not, however, disqualify them
from CONSUMPTION in wal, or from per-
mission to break THEN legs, arms or necks
at fire.
We have shown the common danger of
white and colored, because the opposition
of the Democratic leaders and organs to
the right of equal colored suffrage is not
perhaps appreciated. What, let Us ask, is
the objection to the colored voter? That
being without property, and not knowing
how to read or write, is not proper to give
him vote by which he can affect the inter-
ests of those who own property, and may
hold Office. Suppose we apply this objection
to the landless and illiterate white voter.
Is it not obvious that the Democratic |
leaders and landlords would limit also the |
right Of white suffrage if in their power? |
We have right SO to infer from the fact
that they claim the stsanctity of prop
erty" against the icentious robbery of the
landless voters.
From the developments and disclosures
of the past few months We are, it seems,
living in state Of society in which the
fireman and the soldier may be used for
the protection of property, and for elect
ing these-eminent leaders to Office. For
all this those men are probably competent.
They may point q musket or direct hose
pipe as ordered, but when it comes with
these men with the right to de-
ermine whether tax loan may be judi
'iously imposed upon the property Of the
'ity for the purpose of increasing its trade,
he landlords cry out these men are un-
it to exercise the right of suffrage upon
uch an issue. It would really seem that
fireman, for instance, has honesty
nd sense enough to choose Governor,
nth powers whose exercise may be far
,ore expensive and deleterious to the :
property holders than any internal i'm
tax could be; to elect men,
er Of the Legislature or Council, who 8
Jay impose taxes, grant Ihonopolies, or
Q other acts of mos. important nature;
install judges, upon whose decree :
ay rest the rights of life, honor, !.
property-that these men might be
listed with the discretion to levy few :
iserable mills upon property for the :
mmon advantage Of the property and !
dustry Of the city. The arrogant and n
anton attack upon the capacity and in
gritty of the landless voters must awaken
9 indignant attention Of these houseless u
ousands, without regard to color or past q
ndition. In the hour of war these men 'e
lunteered or were even conscr;pted for p
3 protection of property. In numerous 81
ses the property holder imposed on the Of
cessities Of his unemployed and i'm. ca
verished fellow-citizen as to send him 81
a substitute for the safety of his own "
wardly body. These men were feasted st
d aattered on their departure. The VI
uncil even pledged the city for the pro- 81
ton of their families in their absence, Ci
lie these brave men-how many of ce
m had neither house nor other tax NJ
e property-were in the distant battle in
DIS. There came naval expedition i'm
inst New Orleans. The landless SOL dill
rs again were unprovided by the land CO..
Is with adequate facilities of modern
fare. The landless were unable to sht
tect the property Of the landlords with me
II bodies. pla
7hat did the landlords They GER and
ly did not rely upon the municipal can
'reignty" of Baron Ogden and Mayor Ion
as; they did not assert to General rea
Ter that "inalienable right of prop hea
which the president Of the Property tio1
aers' Association, his organ and at 7
eys maintain to exist Independent Of req
majority of the people. The prop of 6
holders of that day surrendered the line