The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-09
CONSTITUTIONAL MENDM EN- is.

THEIR VIOLATION IN THE SOUTH.
Continued opposition to the full and free enjoy
joyment of the citizenship conferred upon colored
people by the recent amendments to the constitu-
ton still prevails in several of the late slave-hold-
ing States. 1t has, perhaps, not been manifested in
in the recent election to any large extent in acts of
violence and intimidation. It has, however, by
fraudulent practices in connection with casting
fraudulent ballots with regular ones, as to
the places and manner of voting, and with
counting returns and canvassng the votes cast,
been successful in defeating the exercise of the
right preservative of all rights, the right of
suffrage, which the constitution expressly confers
upon enfranchsed citizens. It is the desire of
good people of the whole country that sertionalism
as factor in politics should disappear. They prefer
that no section Of the country should be united in
solid opposition to any other section. The DISPOSE
ton to refuse prompt and hearty obedience to the
equal rights amendments to the constitution is all
that now stands in the way of complete oblitera-
ton of sectional lines in political ontests. As
long as either of these amendments is fagranty
violated dsregarded, it is safe to that the
people who placed them in the consti ution rs en-
bodying the legitimate results of the war for the
Union, or who believe them to be wise and neces-
sary, will continue to act together and to insist that
they shall be obeyed. The paramount question still
can citizen who has the requisite qualifications to
freely cast his vote and have it honestly counted.
With this question rightly settled the country will
be freed from
THE CONVENTIONS OF THE PAST.
Bygones will indeed be bygones, and political and
party issues with respect to the economy and eff
cheney of administration, internal improvements,
the tariff, domestic taxation, education, finance and
other important subjects will then receive their
full share of attention; but resistance to and multi
tication Of the results of the war will unite to-
gether in resolute purpose for their support all
who maintain the authority of the government and
the perpetuity of the Union, and who adequately
appreciate the value of the victory achieved.
This determination proceeds from no hostile
sentiment or feeling to any part of the people Of
our country or to any of their interests,
but from belief in the invioability of
these amendments to- tho fundamental
principles of our government. They are the
solemn expressions of the will of the people of the
United States. The sentiment that the constitu-
tional rights of all our citizens must be maintained,
does not grow weaker It will continue to control
the government of the country. Happily, the his
tory Of the late election shows that in many parts Of
the country where opposition to the fifteenth amend
ment has heretofore prevailed, it is diminishing
and is likely to cease altogether if firm and we'll
considered action is taken by congress. trust the
house of representatives and senate. which have
the right to judge of the actions. returns and quail
hcations OF their own members. will to it that
every of violation of the letter spirit of the
fifteenth amendment is thoroughly investigated,
and that benefit from such violation shall accrue
to any person or party 1t will be the duty of the
executive, with sufficient appropriations for the
purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all who have
been engaged in depriving citizens of the rights
guaranteed by the constitution.