The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-03-12

the laws. The free enjoy. com
suffrage is still in question, Tullv the 5
statement of the issue may aidN perie
ton. 1t is alleged that in many va
munities negro citizens are practically
denied the freedom of the ballot. In S.
far as the truth of this allegation is ad
mitted. it is answered that in many place
honest local government is impossible
the mass of uneducated negroes are al
lowed to vote. These are grave allega
tons. So far as the latter is true, it i
the only palliation that can be Offered
for opposing tine freedom of the ballot
Bad local government is certainly grea
evil, which ought to be prevented, bu
to violate the freedom and sanctity o
the suffrage is more than an evil-it is 6
crime, which, if persisted in, will de
stroy the Governments itself. Suicide i.
not a remedy. If in other lands it be
high treason to compass the death of the
! king, it should he counted no less crime
| rhSiS w oti aug Jul ocNCIClSu PONCt cauN
stitie its voice. 1t has been said that un
settled questions have no pity for the
repose of nations. 1t should be said,
with the utmost emphasis, that this ques-
tion of suffrage will never give repose OIL
| safety to the nation until each State
within its own jurisdiction makes and
keeps the ballot free and pure, by the
strong sanctions of the law. But the
danger which arises from ignorance in
! the voter cannot be denied. 1t covers a
field far wider than that of negro suf-
frage and the present condition of that
race.
1t is 4 danger that luriis and hides in
the sources and fountains of power in
every State. We have no standard by
which to measure the disaster that may
be brought upon us by ignorance and
vice in the citizens when joined to cor
ruption and fraud in the suffrage.
The voters OF the Union who make and
unmake Constitutions, and upon whose
will hang the destinies of our Govern
ment, can transmit supreme authority
to no ST. acessor save the coming genera
ton of voters, who are the sole heirs of
sovereign power. If that generation come
to its inheritance blinded by ignorance
| md corrupted by vice, the fall of the
Republic will be certain and remediless.
The census has already sounded the
harm in the appalling figures which mark
now dangerously II gh the tide of litter
ICY has risen among our voters and their
children. To the South this question is
| # supreme Importance, but the respon-
'ibility for the existence of slavery did
not rest upon the South alone.
The nation itself is responsible for the
extension of the suffrage and is under
special obligations to aid in removing the
,llteracy which it has added to the vot-
ing population. Forthe North and South
like there is but one remedy. All the
constitutional power of the nation and
| IF the States and all the volunteer forces
| Of the people should be summoned to
meet this danger by the saving influence
| IF universal education.
1t is the high privilege and sacred duty
| If those now living to educate their sue
lessons and fit them by intelligence and
virtue for the Inheritance that awaits
Them. In this bsneficent work sections
md races should be forgotten and parti-
Ianship should be unknown. Let our
people find new meaning in the Divine
racle which declares that "a little child
| shall lead them, for our little children
| will soon control the destinies of the
| Republic.
PROSPERITY AND ITS CAUSES.
My countrymen, We do not now differ
our judgment concerning The contro-
'ersies of pastgenerations, and fifty years
renee our children will not be divided in
heir opinions concerning our controver-
les. They will surely bless their fathers
md their fathers God that the Union
vas preserved, that slavery was over
brown, and that both races were made
quail before the law. We may hasten
+ we may retard, but we cannot prevent
| he final reconciliation. Is it not posi-
lie for us now to make truce with time
" anticipating and accepting its inevita-
BILE verdict?
Enterprises of the highest Importance
to our moral and material well-being
unite us and offer ample scope for the
| nployment Of our best powers. Let all
ur people, leaving behind them the bat
| tle fields of dead issues, move forward,
md in the strength of liberty and the
restored Union, win the grander victo.
lies of peace.
The prosperity which now prevails is
without parallel in our history. Fruit
| i'll seasons have done much to secure it.
)ut they have not done all. The preser.
,ation of the public credit and the re-
umption of specie payments so success,
ully attained by the administration OF
NY predecessors. has enabled our people
% secure the blessings which the seasons
brought. By the experience of CONNER.
,ial nations in all ages it has been found
| hat gold and silver afford the only SAT.
oundation for a monetary system. Con
| t'usion has recently been created by varia
| lions in the relative value of the two
metals. but | confidently believe that
arrangements can be made between the
leading commercial nations which wiz
secure the general use of both mes
Congress should provide that Il
pulsory coinage of silver, now
by law, may not disturb err
system by driving eiss,s
circulation. If posst
ment should be me
ing power of evcs
exactly equal t.
in alfthe T;;.
| The chief
ment in com
i tue r sG"n'ry.
! ,,;o, not
tanned wfitution to-
lied by legal tender, Z
of paper States notes
issue of necessities ofA'
tained .,e,d f,r Use
| paper s., aor,ar;x the
nrnm, inption H md
the h.. Nj '"e nor
latiU kept