The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-03-10

original thirteen States, ard the population
twenty times greater than hat Of l5oo. The
trial Of the Consultation came ut last, and
under the tremendous pressure Of civil
war, We, ourselves. are witnesses that the
Union emerged from the blood and Ere, and
that that conflict purified and made II strong
er for all beneGcent purposes and good gov
ernmcnt. And now At the close Of this first
century Of growth, with the Inspiration Of
all ITS history in their hearts, our people have
lately reviewed the condition Of the Nation
aud passed judgment upon the conduct and
opinions Of political parties, and have regis.
tered their will concerning the future admin
istratiou Of the Government. To interpret
and to execute that will in accordance with
the Executive. Even from this brief review
It IL manifest that the Nation IL resolutely
facing to the front with . resolution to en-
ploy its best energies In developing the great
possibilities Of the future, sacredly presery-
ing whatever has been gained to liberty and
the Government during the century. Our
people are determined to leave behind them
ali those bitter controversies concerning
things which have been irrevoczbly settled,
further discussion Of which can only stir up
strife and delay the onward march The su-
premacy Of the Nation and its laws should
be no longer subjects Of debate. That dis
cussion which for half century threatened
the existence of the Nation, was closed At
last in the high court Of war, by decree
from which there is no appeal, that the Con.
stitution and laws made in pursuance thereof
shall continue to be the supreme law Of the
land. binding slike upon the State and upon
the people. ,:his decree does not disturb the
autonomy Of the States, nor interfere with
any of their necessary rules OF local self
government. but it does fix and establish the
permanent supremacy Of the Nation, speak
ing with the voice Of battle and through the
amended Constitution. has fulfilled the great
promise Of 1876, by proclaiming Liberty
throughout the land, and to all the inhajit-
ants thereof" The elevation Of the negro
race from slavery, the full rights Of citizen
ship, is mos, important TO the political change
we have known since the adoption OF the
Constitution Of 1875. No thoughtful man
can fall to appreciate its beneficial effect up
on our people 1t has freed US from perpet-
uai danger of war aud dissolution. 1t has
added immensely to the moral and industrial
forces Of our people It has liberated the
master. Is well as the slave, from . relation
which has wrOnged and enfeebled both, and
it has surrendered to their own guardianship
the manhood OF more than five million pe0-
pie, ard has opened to each one Of them a
career Of freedom and usefulness. 1t has
given new inspiration to the power Of self
help in both races, by making labor more
honorable to one AM more necessary to the
other. The influence Of this force will he
greater and bear richer fruit with coming
years. No doubt the great change has caused
serious disturbance to our Southern cOmmu-
nifty. This is to be deplored. though it was
unavoidable; but those who resisted the
change should consider that In our institu-
tons there was no middle ground for the ne
gro race between slavery and equal citizen
ship. There can be no permanent disfran.
chiscment Of peasantry in the United States.
Freedom cnn never yield its fuIlness Of bless
ings rs long rs law or its administration
places the smallest obstacle in the pathway
OF any virtuous citizen. The emancipatcd
race has already made remarkable progress
with unquestionable devotion to the Union
with patience aud gentleness not born Of
fear. They have followed the light as God
gave them to see the light. They are rapidly
laying material for the foundations Of self.
support, widening the circle Of intelligence.
to enjoy the blessings that gather
around the homes of industrious poor. They
deserve the generous encouragement Of all
good men. So far Us my authority can law
fully extend, they shall enjoy the full and
equal protection of the Constitution and the
laws. The enjoyment of equal suffrage is
still question, and a frank statement, il is
sued. may aid its solution. 1t is alleged that
in many communities the negro citizens are
denied the freedom Of the ballot.
In so far rs the truth Of this allegation is adj
mitted, it is answered that in many places
honest local government is impossible if the
mass Of uneducatcd negroes are allowed to
vote. These are grave allegations. So far
rs the latter is true, il is no palliation that
can be offered for opposing the freedom OF
The ballot. Bad local government is certain
ly great evil, which ought to be prevented !:
but to violate the freedom and sanctity Of
suffrage is more than an evil-it 10 crime
which, if persisted IN, will destroy the Gov
prnment itself. and suicide is not remedy.
As in other lands It would be high treason to
compass the death Of a King, it should be
no less crime here TO strangle our
sovereign power aud stific its voice. 1t has
been said that unsettled questions have no
pity for the repose OF Nations. 1t should al.
so be said. aud with the utmost emphasis.
that this question Of suffrage will never give
rcpose or safety to the States or to the Ma
ton until each. within its own jurisdiction,
ma cs and keeps the ballot free and pure by
strong sanction of law. That that danger
arises from the ignorance Of voters cannot
be denied. 1t covers field far wider than
Ina; Of negro suffrage and the present con-
iition of that race. II Is a danger that turks
md hides In the sources and fountains Of
power In every State. We have no power by
which to measure the disaster that may be
brought upon Us by ignorance and vice in
citizens when joined to corruption and fraud
N suffrage. The voters Of the Union who
make and unmake constitutions, an.l upon
whose will hangs the destiny Of our Govern
neDt, can transmit their supreme authority
o no successor save the coming generations
II voters; who are sole heirs Of the sovereign
powers. Ii that generation comes TO its in
leritance blinded by ignorance and corrup-
viii be certain aud rcmediess. The census
las already sounded the alarm IN appealing
cures. which mark how dangerously high
he tide Of illiteracy has arisen among our
otcrs and their children. To the South the
uestion Is Of Of supreme Importance; but
he responsibility of the existence Of that
upremc Importance Is but n responsibility.
the existence Of slavery does not rest upon
he South alone, the Nation itself is respou-
bile for the extension Of suffrage, and Is un-
er special obligations to aid In relieving the
literacy which il has added to the voting
opulation. For the North and South alike
here IL but one remedy. All the constitr-
onsl power Of the Nation, OF States, aud all
he volunteer forces Of the people should he
to meet this danger by the saving
,fiuence Of universal education. 1t is the
Ugh privilege and sacred duty OF those now
wing to educate their sons and daughters
nd lit them by intelligence and virtue for
le inheritance which awaits them. In this |
,ne:icent work section and races should be |
rgotten and partisanship should be I'M
lown. Let cur people find new meaning |