New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-10
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Il il gratifying - 80 the important
question Of intelligent SUFFRAGE brought
formally before the country, a. it is in the
Presidents message. We need an ad-
ditional amendment to the constitution
establishing an educational qualification
as prerequisite TO- the exercise of the
elective franchise. Haxper,s Weekly, in q
recent number, displayed, By simple
caricature. the present condition of our
country in this respect tho ignorant col
ored vote OF the South balanced against
the equally ignorant immigrant vote of
the North.
The naturalization laws were at the
time of their passage wise and wholesome
provisions. The recent constitutional
amendments comforting the elective fran
chise on the colozsd people were the de-
mand 1t once Of justice and of policy.
Both these measures, however, timely and
statesmanlike as they were, advantageous
and necessary as they still are, even in
their present form, are yet susceptible of
a great improvement; that, namely, which
would arise from adapting the suggestion
of the President-a constitutional limit of
the right of suffrage, after q certain
probationary period. to those who are
able to read and write the English
language. This requirement would
bear equally upon native and foreign
born, white and colored. No injustice
would be done by it to those already
voters, as they would necessarily be ex-
cepted, whilst those anxious for the privi-
lege would be stimulated to acquire the
requisite qualifications. Nor could such
provision be deemed unjust in these
days of public schools, affording to the
humblest and poorest of our citizens the
opportunity to comply with it. AS for
foreigners, the time now required by the
naturalization laws for the acquisition of
citizenship would be amply sufficient in
which to learn our language. Certainly
q man without intelligence enough to do
so in that time would be unfit for so great
q trust as the election franchise.
The necessity that all citizens should
understand the language of their common
country was recognized and acted upon
in the Roman empire even in the time of |
Claudius. Although anxious to see
Roman citizenship extended as much as |
possible, he at the same time took great |
care to spread everywhere the Latin
tongue. On one occasion, certain
Roman citizen, sent on q deputation to
Rome from one of the provinces, was
Unable to answer in Latin the Emperor's
questions. Claudius Immediately dis
ranchised him, saying: 'He is no Roman
'itizen who is ignorant of the Roman
anguage." So, likewise, says General
irant and We echo the sentiment-he is
init for American citizenship who is
gnorant Of the English language.
It is the fashion among some would-be
evotees to our constitution to decry any
1rther tampering with it, as they call
mendlng it. But it is living thing, not
dead idol, therefore it must grow as
Il living things do, and if it grow must
hange. That our fathers who framed it |
ere wise nobody disputes; but the times
which and for which they framed it I
ave passed away. New times have
'me-new issues arisen. Our fathers are
cad; we are in their places and must per- /,
rm the duties that devolve upon US &C. 6
riding to our ability. Whilst cherishing I
le principles which they established,
Q may be called upon to pro- e
ote those principles by means un- I
ought of by them because suggested r
: conditions arising since their time. r
oremost among these principles is that f
pure republicanism-the maintenance
government of the people, for the e
'ople, by the people, the only sure a
undation Of which is popular intelli- b
nee and popular virtue. Foremost e
aong the conditions which our fathers Il
not foresee is the influx of ignorance Il
10 the body polite which has taken re- p
ntly by the increased tide of Il
eign immigration and the hasty but IL
cessary Acknowledgement of the for
II slaves. To remedy the evils Incl fo
ut to these conditions, to promote the La
pular intelligence indispensable in the a,
fragists of great country, the consti- =,
ional amendment proposed by the y
9sident is indispensable. That Con- al
ss may take speedy action in the mat q,
is greatly to be desired. "