The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-10-18
IMPOSSIBLE F8R ANYBODY.
The Rights of ColOred Voters
Absolutely Secure,
A second Letier franl var. George
Eichnor Curais-Ihe Democra-
~ Would not. nor Could
they Dt>franehiSe Col
ored VOter
To tie Editor Of dc Saa.

SIR:-You have sent me 4 copy of the
Boston Daily Advertiser. c~ontsining
some angry editorial m upon nv
letter on the Southern question. Ii Is
remarkable that d production containing
public facts and principles, should have
provoked % much wrath.
/ simply maintained that the consti-
tutiOnal amendments have made il inn
possible for the Democratic or any other
party to deprive the negroes of the right
of suffrage; and that what is now needed
is that the eolored people be allowed TO
exercise their elective franchise aocord-
ing to their own unbiased judgments.
But the Republican writers, speakers,
and politicians cannot bear the thought
Of surreadering 4 weapon they have long
used.
l am sorry TO see any one maintain
that the tnaiity or efficiency Cf the late
constitutional amendments Is open to
doubt They are adopted, and they can
no more be shaken from their founda-
tons in the supreme law OF the land than
! the White Mountains can be shaken from
their base by the shouts OF multitude.
6NNA lit AuNG user rCEalc u nave
4 dim notion that they are irrepealable.
but II fears they may be evaded. 1--WE
do not suppose, y it says, d" that MIR. Til
den, If President, would recommend the
repeal OF the constitutional amendments;
We do expect and believe that the Demo-
Gratis of the Southern States will have
their own malign viii in way TO prevent
the negros enjoyment of his rights.
That Constitution has laid a good many
prohibitions upon the States; one, for in
stance, that no State shall pass any law
lmpairing the obligation of q contract.
Has this prohibition ever been a dead
letter, or ever been evaded in any ways
by the " malign will" Of anybody |! Now
there Is another prohibition that no
State shall deny the right of suffrage ON
account of race, color, or previous servi-
tude. How is this prohibition to be
evaded, avoided or defied ? How are
Southern Democrats to crafty their
" malign will "-ift they had one-against
a command of the Constitution >
Has the editor of the Advertiser for
+ gotten that there is a Supreme Court of
the United States Does he suppose
nav bhN hNEAo cause hOulu uok uANG
champions enough to defeat any ways I"
by which any State should withhold from
; his right of suffrage
In some of the paragraphs of my let
Ter, | gave what / believe to be the con-
elusive reasons why Gov. Tilden, as
President, could not possibly initiate a
policy having for its object the reeogni.
ton of the whites of the South as the
, sole political power, and why no AID.
ministration can prevent the negroes
from enjoying equal rights with white
: men.
! The Republican party, through theil
official organs, profess to desire thaI
| peace be restored Cor secured in the
Southern States. If they are sincere il
I this, then | should say Cease to main
tain that the constitutional amendments
are in danger. just SO long as this pre-
tense, which has 70 justification in rea
son, is kept up. just so long will all pc.
litical contests in the South be infamed
by the p%rejudices of race against race.
Thus far the political education of the
O negro has been confined to the one idea
n of voting against his white neighbors,
because they are white and he is black.
Give him something to think of besides
the color of his or her neighbours skin
Give him some chance to learn that civil
; rights are secured to him by a power thai
|, has never spoken in vain, the power Of
the Constitution of the United States
let him know that he holds those rights
not of the Republican party, but Of tn,
s supreme law of the laad and that wha.
he has to do in the enjoyment of thos,
rights is to exercise his natural intelli
gence as white men exercise theirs, il
voting upon matters hat concern tn,
common good and the general welfare
In this way, and in no other, can th,
peace of these communities be estab
lished. Kremain yours faithfully,
n GEO. TIcKKoR CURTIS.
y Ne1o York, dug. 81.