Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-09-26

trade which is now doing so much for re-
vival OF all business. The whole fabric OF
society rests upon labor. IL free laborerB
suffer from oppression and injustice, they
will either become discontented and turbu-
lent, destroyers Of property, and not pro
ducerB OF property, or they viii abandon
the communities which deprive them of their
inalienable rights. In either case social or
der ard the peaceful industries upon which
prosperity depends are imperiled and
perhaps sacrificed. II will not do
to say that this is an affair which belongs sole
ly TO the distant States OF the South. The
whole country must suffer II this question is
not speedily settled, and settled rightly.
Where the two races are numerous, prosperity
can only exist by the united and harmonious
efforts OF both the white people aud the col
Ored people. The only solid foundations for
teace and progress in such communities are
equal and exact justice TO both races. Con
slider the present situation. Whatever com
plants may have been heard during the pro-
grcss of TeconstructiO1it eaudid men must
admit tliat all sections and al states are now
equally regarded, and share alike the rights,
the privileges and the benefits Of the common
Government. An that Is needed for the per
manent pacifcation OF the country is the cor
dial cooperation of all well-dlsposed citizens
to secure the faithful observance OF the equal
rights amendments to the Constitution.
Happily, In the very communities where
lawlcssness has been most general and most
successful, there are editors OF newspapers
and other influential citizens who speak 0n6
and denounce these crimes against free Gov
ernment. 1t is plain that sound public opn-
ion is forming where 1t is most needed. No
community can afford to allow any of its citi-
zens to be suppressed-to lose their rights.
To be Indifferent on the subject is to disre-
gard interest and duty. The Union citizens
and soldiers can do much to remove the evils
we are considering. Let IL be understood that
no public man in any party will be sustained
unless he will undertake to carry out In good
faith the pledges made in all oIr platforms in
regard to the rights OF colored citizens; un-
less he will support laws proVldlng
the means required to punish crimes
against them, and unless he will, op-
pose the admission of any man to either House
of Congress whose seat has been obtained by
the violation of the Fifteenth Amendment.
The right of suffrage is the right of self-pro-
lection. Its free exercise Is the vital air OF
republican institutions.
To establish now the State-rights doctrine
Of the supremacy OF the States, and an oil
garchy of race, Is deliberately to throw away
an essential part of the fruits of the Union
victory. The settlements of the war in favor
OF equal rights and the supremacy of the laws
OF the Nation are lust and wise, and neces-
sary Let them not be surrendered.
Let them he faithfully accepted and
firmly enforced. Let them stand, and, with
the advancing tide of business prosperity we
may confidently hope, by the blessing OF Di-
vine Providence, that we shall soon enter upon
an era Of harmony and progress such as has
been rarely enjoyed by any people.