Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-03-12

+'-'+'sH' a-ss- u EH-s. - f-1'.- ~.
.a, q, -. .a',- En- VOC No. III
- ------ ------- z = III -
out the land sto all the Inhabitants
thereof.'h eThe elevation OF the negro
race from slavery to the full rights OF
is the most, important pOllt-
zeal change we have known since the
adoption of the constitution OF -1776. 1
No thoughtful man can TAIL to appreci-
ate its beneficent. effect upon our peo-
ple.e 1t has freed us from perpetual
danger OF war and dissolution II has
added immensely to the moral and in
dustrial forces ofiour people. 1t has
the master as we'll as the slave
from the relation, which wronged end
enfeebled both. 1t has surrendered to
their own guardianship the manhood OF
more than 5000 900 OF people, and has
opened 10 each one of them "a career OF
freedom and usefulness. Ut has given
new inspiration to the power OF self
help in both races by making labor
more honorable to one and more neces.
sary to the other. The influence OF
this force will grow greater and bear
richer fruit with coming years No
doubt the great change has caused
serious disturbance to our southern
community. This is TO be deplored,
though 1t was unavoidable but these
who resisted the change should remem-
ber that in our institutions there was
no middle groundn iortthe negro race
between, slavery and equal citizenship.
There can be 30 permanent dislran.
chised peasantry IN the United States
Freedom can never yield its fullness OF
Blessings as long as the law or its ad
ministration places the smallest obstacle
in the pathway. OF any virtuous citizens
ship. The emancipa race has already
made remarkable progress with un-
questionable devetiondto the union With
u patience land gsntleness not born of
tear.i They have :.'lollowed the light rs
God gave them to see the light" They
are rapidly laying the material founda-
ton OF self support, widening the cir
Gle of intelligence,. and beginning to en-
joy the blessings that gather around the
homes of the Industrious poor. They
deserve the generous encouragement oil
all good men. So tar as my authority
can lawfully extend they shall enjoy the
|
ton and laws. The Tree enjoyment OF
equal suffrage is still in question. and a
frank statement OF the issue may aid its
solution. 1t is alleged that in many
communities the negro citizens are
practically denied the freedom of the
ballot. In so tar as the truth OF this al
legation is admitted, it is answered that
in many places honest local governmen,
Is impossible If the mass of uneducated
negroes are allowed O to vote. These
are grave allegations. So lar as the
latter is true it is no palliatlon that eau
be offered for opposing the freedom o.
the ballot. Bad local government \
certainly great evil which oughtito. be
prevented, but to viola.ei the freedom
and sanctity OF suffrage is more than an
evil, it is q crime which il persisted il
Will destroy the government Itself. anC
suicide is not remedy. Ii in Other
lands it be high treason to compass tht
death Of u king, it should be counted
no less crime here to, strangle ou
sovereign power and stiffe its voice. l
has been said that unsettled question.
have no pity tor the repose OF nations
1t should be said with utmost emphasi
that this question OF suffrage will nev
give repese or safety to states or Il
the nation until each within Its owl
jurisdiction makes and keeps the baIlo
tree and pure by the strong sanction o
the law. eis1# 5s
EDUCATION.
But the danger which arises from lg
norance in the voter cannot be denied
| 1t covers field lar wider than that o
negro suffrage and the present condition
OF that race. 1t is a danger that lurk
and hides IN the sources and fountain O
dard by which to measure the dlsaste
that may be brought upon US by igno
rance and. vice in citizens when Joined t,
corruption and fraud in suffrage. Th,
voters OF the union, who make and un
make constitutions, and upon whose will
hangs the destiny Of our government
can transmit their supreme authority t,
no successor save the coming gener
ation of voters, who are the sole heir
OF the sovereign power. II that genera
tioni comes to dts inheritance blinded BY
ignorance and corrupted by, vice, the tai
OF the republic will be certain and re
NEEDLESS. The census has already sound
ed the alarm IN appalling figures, whic!
mark how dangerously high the tide o
1lliteracy has risen among eur voter.
ant stheirn children To the south th,
qu on is. .Qt supreme importauce, bu
the responsibility for the existence o
slavery does not rest upon the -eoutl
| alone. The nation Iitselfiis responsible ID
for the extension of suffrage. and is an
der special obligations to aid in remoy
ing the illiteracy .which, it has added K
the voting population. For north ant
isouth alike there Is but one remedy AL
the, constitutional power OF the natior
and OF the states, and all volunteer for
ces OF the people should be summoned
tO'meet this danger blythe saving lnfiu
eness of ,uniyersa. education, 1t is tn,
high privilege and sacred duty of thos,
now living to educate their SUCCESSOR
ahd'fit them by intelligence and virtu,
tori the inheritance winch awaits them
In this beneicent work sections ant
races should be forgotten and partisan
'fBhip should be unknown. v Lei. our peo
pie find q new meaning 10 the divine or
acle, which declares that IA little chile
! shall lead them." for our little children
will soon control the destinies of the re-
public My country we do NO
now differ in our Judgment concerning
the controversies OF past generations
and fifty years hence our children viii
not be divided In their opinions concern
ing our controversies. They will surely
bless their fathers and their fathers
God that the union was preserved, tha,
slavery was overthrown, and that both
races were made equal before the law
We may hasten or we may retard, bu,
we cannot prevent final reconciliation
Is it not possible for us now to make a
truce with time by anticipating and ac-
cepting its inevitable verdict. Enterpri-
ses of the highest importance to our
moral and material well being invite us
and offer ample scope for the employ.
ment of our best powers. Let ali our
people, leaving behind them the battle
fields OF dead issues, move forward, and
In the strength of liberty and restored
union win the grandest victories OF
peace. The prosperity which now pre-
walls is without parallel in our history
Fruitful seasons have done much to se-
cure it. But they have not done all.
Tie preservation of public credit and
the resumption of specie payments, SO
successfully obtained by the administra-
tion OF my predecessors, have enabled
our people to secure the blessings
which the seasons brought Rv the ey