Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-03-09

land; binding alike upon the States
and the people. This decree does
not disturb the autonomy of the
States, nor interfere with any Of
their rights of local self-governmsn!
+, bat it does fix and establish the
permanent supremacy OF the Union
The will of the nation, speaking
with a voice of battle and through
the amended constitution, has full
filled the great promise OF 1875 by
proclaimlng "liberty throughout
the land to all the inhabitants
thereof"
| The elevation of the negro race
from slavery to the full rights o.
citizenship is the most important
Political change we have known
since the adoption Of the constitu-
ton Of 1887. No thoughtful man
can fail to appreciate its benefceni
effect upon our institutions and PEG
pie. 1t has freed US from the per.
petual danger Of war and dissolu
ton. 1t has added immensely to
the moral and industrial forces Of
our people. 1t has liberated the
master as well:as the slave from a
relation which wronged and ell
feebled both. 1t has surrendered
to their own guardianship the man.
heod Of more than FIVE million Of
people, and has opened to each ont
of tllem a career OF freedom and USE
fulness. 1t has given new inspira-
ton to the power Of self-help il
both races by making looor more
honorable to the one and mor'
necessary to the other. The In
fiuence of their course will grow
greater and bear richer fruit with
the coming years.
No doubt the great change has
caused serious disturbance to ou'
southern communities. This is IL
he depIored, though it WAS perhaps
unavoidable. But those who re
sisted the change should remember
that under our institutions there
was no middle ground for the ne-
gro race between slavery and equal
citizenship. There can be no per-
manent DISTINGUISHED peasantry In
| the United States Freedom can
never yield IFS fullness Of blessings
so long as the law or its administra-
ton places the smallest obstacle il
the pathway Of any virtuous citi-
zen.
The emancipated race has alrea-
dy made remarkable progress.
With unquestiOning devotion to the
Union, with a patience and gentle
ness not born Of fear, they have
followed the light as God gave
them to see the light" They are
rapidly laying the material fOunda
tions of self-suppOrt, widening tie
circle ofintelligeDce, and beginning
to enjoy the blessings that gather
around the homes ofthe industrious
poor. They deserve the generous
encouragement OF all good men Sc
far as my authority can lawfully
extend they shall enjoy the fall
and equal protection Of the consti-
tution and the laws.
The free enjoyment of equal
suffrage is still in question: and a
flank statement Of the issue may
aid its solution. 1t is alleged that
in many communities negro citizens
are practically denied the freedom
of the ballot. In so far as the
truth Of this allegation i, admitted
Il is answered that in many places
honest local government is impOssi-
bic il the mass of uneducated ne
! groes are allowed TO vote. These
are grave allegations. So far as
the latter is true, it is the psllia-
ten that can to offered for OppOs-
lug the freedom Of the ballot Bad
local government is certainly agreaf
evil which sught to be prevented,
but to violate the freedom and sane
tity ofthe suffrage is more than an
evil; it is a crime which. it persist
ed in. will destroy the government
itself. Suicide is not a remedy. II
in other lands it be high treason to
compass the death Of the king, it
should he counted no less a crime
here to strangle our sovereign pow
er and sti6e Its voice.
1t had been said that unsettled
questions have no pity for the re
pose Of nstions. 1t should be said
: -L.... kl.s al.