The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-04-09
RETRIBUTlON IN POLITICS.
Ex-Governor Thomas A. Hendricks
Recent Paper on Negro
Suffrage.
Statesman-Like Discussion Of a Newly
Revived Political Question.
An Authoritative Statement of the Attitude
of the Democratic Party Toward
the Colored Voter.
North American Review.l


man to vote was made as firm and secure as
constitutional provision could establish 1t.
As question of public policy and justice it
was settled. The people passed upon and
decided that. There remained but the tests
and ordeal of experience. 1t was not to be
disturbed or questioned except for great and
permanent evils. This was the condition of
the right of colored suffrage when two inn
portant facts attracted attention. The first
was, that the congressional representation of
the Southern States had been greatly
strengthened and the second was, that the
colored vote could no longer be relied upon
by the Republican party, but that it was
rapidly passing into the Democratic party,
resulting N a congressional delegation from
the South almost entirely Democratic, and
In solid South. Confident possession and
control of that vote were followed by such
disappointment at its loss as attends the loss
of property deemed most secure.
The disappointment was intensified by the
reflection that the entire eolored population
is now to be counted IN apporton1ng repre-
sentation among the several States, and that
the political influence of the South is there
by increased Dissatisfaction and spirit of
resistance appeared among those who had
looked upon the colored vote as permanent
ly secure to the party. They had
freely, sometimes harshly, about striking
down the increased Southern representation.
and seemed willing to abandon colored
suffrage, if necessary to that end. It was
because of this sentiment and feeling that
the discussion of negro enfranchisment in
the last number of the "RevieW" was posi-
BILE. Two or three years ago it would have
been welcomed neither by editor nor reader
And from this it appears how little the SEN
timent of humanity, and how much the
consideration of party advantage, influenced
and controlled the action of many who at
one time were most clamorous for negro
suffrage. Negro suffrage rests upon the
natural right of the citizen, or upon consti-
tutional provision. or upon both. l was
opposed to its recognition and establishment
in the constitution of the United States; but,
when declared to be SO established, / recog-
nized it as fixed and permanent. And, in
the article which contributed to the series.
thought1t quite sufficient to maintain that
it was thus fixed and permanent; and 1 en-
deavored to show that, under favorable
opportunities, its exercise need not be hurt
full to society.
1t his article Governor Hampton treats
the question as settled, and says that, what
ever may have been the policy or the motives
of men. the right conferred by the constitu-
ton is irrevocable, and that it is now the
part of craftsmanship to give its exercise
that direction which will be most
beneficial and least hurtfui to the body
polite. Speaking for the people of
Mississippi, Mr.. Lamar, with great force
and directness, maintains that. being made
a free man, a property holder and tax
payer. the negro could not be excluded from
the privilege and duty" the right and
obligation" of the citizen to vote. He mem
ti0s3s the striking fact that, in 1869, "the
white people of Mississippi unanimously
voted at the polls in favor of ratify-
ing the enfranchising amend
ment. Mr.. Stephens treats the ques-
ton of negro suffrage as settled, and not to
be disturbed; and declares it the duty of all
friends of humanity to give it a fair trial,
with an earnest and hopeful effort for its
success" / have grouped the arguments of
these three distinguished men of the South
that the justice and liberelity OF their views
may distinctly and together appear.
The most striking quality of General Gar
fields argument is that, while in set phrase
he is for free suffrage, in tone and spirit he
that the property rights of the col
ored people are every year being
more and more respected, he yet asserts
that it is mockery to say that suffrage
has been free. With marked emphasis he
declares that in many parts of the South the
benefits of suffrage have been defeated by
fraud, violence, and threats of loss of en-
ployment. Are we compelled to take ayiew
so Encouraging? Or is 1t but the language
of the partisan? In respect to political
-.
are now to conduct public affairs. Is there
! such incompatibility that the races can not
harmonic in maintaining good government?
VIII the stronger race domineer over the
weaker2 This has been the prediction of
many. The hopes of the people rejected the
prediction. Now, however, a strong man,
one who has observed much, and whose
hopes have all been for the success of what
Mr.. Blaine speaks of as an experiment, de-
clares 1t in large degree failure. 1T the
ant hoe fail Cd Arr hn1 Ia
years, why has it failed? During much OIL
that time the army of the United States was
distributed throughout the South. 1t was
used TO maintain the supremacy of the Re
publican party, through the lnstrumensality
OF the colOred vote. For like purpose the
Federal judiciary was used IN many local.
ties. It may not be claimed that there was
then good government in the South. 1
was bad-bad for the colored man, as it wa
for the white man. 1t was the sub
stitution of force and fear fer the constitu
y tional government by the people, That wa
the period of corruption, and strife ant
bloodshed. In such.a period we can no
Judge OF any attribute of free government
or of the cspability of any part of the peo
pie to maintain free government. Tha
rupting influence of the Freedman's bureau
The political Adventures who exercised
power without right or merit, and enjoye'
wealth without labor, sought safety il
flight" Thus the malign. influences wer
removed that had sowed distrust and dis
cord, and excited hostilities between tn
= races If General Garfield will only cor
slider the colored mans improved cond
ton since this change took place
his greater freedom in the exc
else of his political rights, his concede
security in the enjoyment of his civn right
and his more harmonious relations with tn
white race, he will surely review ano fscor
slider the opinion which be expressed, tina
in many parts of the South, the negro hi
been deprived of all the benefits intende
to be conferred upon and secured to him b
the suffrage.
Mr. Blame thinks the negro Is CONTROLLED
whatever way he may vote. He attribute
! his conduct to some lnhuent
stronger than that of his own convictio
and will. What does he mean by I'll
persuasion OF the freedman's bureau" at Il