New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-05
enjoy the full and equal protection of the Consti-
tuition and the laws.
FREE AND PURE BAIIOT,

4
The free enjoyment of equal suffrage is still in
| question, and frank statement OF the issue may
aid its solution. 1t is alleged that in many commu-
mites negro citizens are practically denied the free
dom OF the ballot In 80 far as the truth of this
allegation is admitted. it is answered that in many
places honest local government is impossible if the
mass OF uneducated negroes are allowed to
| vote. These are grave allegations So far
| as the latter is true. it is the only
paiation that can he offered for opposing the free
| dom of the ballot Bad local government is GER
tainly great evil which ought to be prevented; !;
but to violate the freedom and sanctity of the suf
frage is more than an evil-it is a crime which if
persisted in will destroy the Government ITSELF
Suicide is not remedy. If in other lands it be bigh
treason to compass the death of the King it should
be counted no less crime here to strange our
sovereign power and sthe its voice. 1t has been
said that unsettled questions have no pity for the
repose of nations. It should be said with the ut
most emphasis that this question of the suffrage will
never give repose safety to the States or to the
Nation until each within it's own jurisdiction makes
and keeps the ballot free and pure by the strong
sanctions of the law
IMPORTANCE OF GENERAL EDUCATION
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 q danger that turks 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 MS by ignorance and vice in
the citizens when joined to corruption and fraud in
the suffrage.
The voters of the Union. who make and unmake
constitutions and upon whose will hang the desti-
nes of our Governments can transmit their supreme
authority to no successor save the coming genera
ton of voters who are the sole heirs of sovereign
power II that generation comes to it's inheritance
blinded by ignorance and corrupted by vice, the fall
of the Republic will be certain and remediless.
Tho census has already sounded the alarm in the
appalling figures which mark how dangerously high
the tide of lliteracy has risen among voters and
their children.
To the South this question is Of supreme import
ance. but the responsibility for tho existence Of
slavery did not rest upon the South alone.
The Nat on itself is responsible for the extension
Of the suffrage aud is under special obligations to
aid in removing the illiteracy which it has added TO
the voting population. For the North and South
alike. there is but one remedy. All the constitu-
tiona powers Of the Nation and of the States and
all the volunteer forces of the people should be
moued to meet this danger by the saving influence
of universal education. 1t Is the high privilege and
sacred duty of those living to educate their
cessors and fit them by intelligence and virtue for
the inheritance which awaits them.
In this benehcent work sections and races should
be forgotten, and partsanshp should be unkn own.
Let our people find O new meaning in the divine
oracle which declares that little child shall lead
them." for our little children will control tho
destinies of the Republic.
My countrymen, do not now differ in our judg- |
ment concerning the controversies of past gener-
atons, and fifty years hence children will not be
divided In their opinions concerning our contro-
versies. They viii surely bless their fathers and
their fathers God that the Union preserved, that
slavery was overthrown and that both races wero
made equal before the law. We may hasten or we
nay retard but we cannot prevent the final recon-
,illation. 1t is not possible for us now TO make n
truce with time by anticipating and accepting its
inevitable verdict.
Enterprises of tho highest Importance to our
moral and material well being invite u.s. and offer
ample scope for the employment of our best powers.
Let all our people. leaving behind them the battle
fields OF dead issues, move forward. and in the
strength of liberty and the restored Union win the
yrander victories of peace.
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS.
The prosperity which prevails is without
parallel in history. Fruitful seasons have done
much to secure H. but they have not done all. The
of the public credit and the resumption
|
of my predecessors has enabled our
eople to secure the blessings which the seasons '
'rought. BY the experience OF commercial nations
n all ages 1t has been found that gold and silver
ford the only safe foundation for a monetary ,
system, Confusion has recently been created by
variations in the relative value Of the two metals,
'ut confidently believe that arrangements can be
made between the leading commercial nations which >
will secure the general Use Of both metals Congress
houd provide that the compulsory coinage Of SILVER
ow required by law may not disturb our monetary ,
ystem, by driving either metal out Of circulation. b
possible such an adjustment should be made that !
he purchasing power OF every coined dollar will be
xactiy equal to its debt-payiug power in all the I
larkets of fine world
The chief duty of the National Government in
'nnection with the currency Of the country is to
DIN and declare its value. Grave doubts have been
ntertained whether Congress is authorized by the
onstituton to make any form of paper money legal
nder. The present issue Of United States notes has
Zen sustained by the necessities of war; but such n
per should depend for its value and currency upon
convenience in and its prompt redemption In SS
in at the will of the holder, and not upon its CON-
llsory circulation. These notes are not money, but
omises to pay money. If the holders demand it,
Q promise should be kept. u
The refundng of the National debt at 10 wer rate SI
interest should be accomplished without compe- cf
the withdrawal of the National bank notes. and az
US disturbing the business of the country ven
re to refer TO the position have occupied on nan- ~
u questions during long service III Congress- and c
say that time and experience have strengthened ~
opinions have often expressed on these sub b,
IT,. OF
The finances Of the Government shall snfler no G,
nment which it may be possible for my admins is,
ton TO prevent. he
GRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. n un
he interests Of agriculture deserve more atten Of