Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-03-08


permanent supremacy of union. The
will of the nation, speaking with the
voice of battle, and through the amend
ed Constitution, has fulfilled the great
promise of 1887, by proclaiming liberty
throughout the land, to all the inhabi-
tants thereof. The elevation Of the ne
gro race from slavery to full rights OF
citizenship, is the most important politi-
cal change we have known since the
adoption of the Constitution of 1874. No
thoughtful man can fail to appreciate its
beneiicient effect upon our institutions
and people. 1t has freed lis from per-
petual danger of war and dissolution
1t has added immensely to the moral
and industrial forces of our people. 1t
has liberated masters us well as slaves,
from relation which wronged and en-
fecbled both. 1t has surrendered to
their own guardianship, the manhood of
more than five millions Of people, and
has opened to each one of them career
of freedom and usefulness; it has given
new Inspiration TO The power Of self
help in both races, by making labor
more honorable TO The one and more
necessary to The other The Influence
of this force will grow greater and bear
richer fruit with coming years. No doubt
this great change has caused a sCri0ur
disturbance TO our Southern communi-
ties. This is to be dcplorcd, though it
was, perhaps, unavoidable; but those
who resisted the change should remem-
Der that under our institutions there was
no middle ground for the negro race,
between slavery and equal citizenship.
There can be no permanent dislranchis-
ed peasantry in the United States; free
dom can never yield its fullness of bles-
sings to law or its administration place
the smallest obstacle in the pathway of
any victorious citizens. The emaneipat-
ed race has already made remarkable
progress; with unqucstionable devotion
TO the Union; with patience and gentle
ness not born of favor; they followed
the light, as God gave them to see light !;
they are rapidly laying material founda-
tons Of self-support, widening the circle
of intelligence, and beginning to enjoy
blessings that are gathered around the
homes of industrious poor; they deserve
generous encouragement Of all good
men, and so far as my authority can
lawfully extend, they shall enjoy full
and equal protection Of the Constitution
and laws. The full and free enjoyment
of equal suffrage is still in question, and
n frank statement Of the issue may aid
its solution. 1t is alleged that in many
many places honest local government is
impossible if the mass Of uncducated ne
groes are allowed to vote. These are
grave allegations. So far rs the latter
is true, it is only u palliation that can be
offered for opposing the freedom of bal
lot. Bad local government is certainly
Il great evil, VIII ch ought TO be prevent
Ell; but to violate the freedom and sane
tity of suffrage is more than an evil, II is
Il crime, which, If persisted in will de-
stroy the government itself--and suicide
is not u remedy. If in other lands, it be
high treason to compass the death Of Il
king, it should be counted no less a
crime here, to stranglc our sovereign
power and stiile its voice. 1t has been
said that unsettled questions have no Pity
for the rcposc Of nations; 1t should be
said with utmost emphasis, that this
question Of suffrage will never give re-
pose or safety to States, or to the Ma
ton, until each, within its own jursdic-
ton, makes and keeps the ballot free and
pure by strong sanctions of law. But
the dangers which arise from ignorance
In the nation, cannot be denied it covers
field far wider than that of negro suf-
frage, and the condition Of that race. -
IL is the 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 us by ignorance and
vice In the citizens when joined to cor
ruption and fraud in suffrage. The vOt-
crs of the Union, who make and un-
make constitutions, and upon whose will
hangs the dcstines OF our government,
can transmit their supreme authority to
no successors save the coming genera
ton of voters, who are the sole heirs Of
sovereign power. If that generation
comes to its inheritance blinded by ig-
norancc and corrupted by vice, the fall
of the republic will be certain and remc-
dyless. The census has already sounded
the alarm IN the appalling figures which
mark how dangerously high the tide of
illiteracy has risen among our voters and
their children. TO the South this ques-
ton is Of supreme Importance, but the
responsibility for the existence Of slav-
cry did not rest upon the South alone
The nation itself Is responsible for the
extension Of suffrage, and s.under spe-
clal obligation to aid in removing litter
acy which 1t has added to the voting
For the North and South
alike there X but one remedy; all con-
slitltional powers Of the nation and of
the States, and all the volunteer forces
of the people should be summoned to
meet this danger by the saving influence
of universal education. II Is the high
privilege and sacred duty Of those now
living 10 educate their successors and III
them by Intelligence and virtue for the
which awaits them. In this
work sections and races
should be forgotten, aud parl2anship
should be unknown. Let our people
find new meaning In the divine oracle
which declares that "a little child shall
lead them" for our little children will
soon control the dcstlnles of the Repub-
lie.
My countrymen. We do not now differ
In our judgement concerning the contro
ycrsics of past generations, and fifty
years hence our children will not be di-
yldcd In their opinions concerning our
They will surely bless
their fathers and their fathers God that
slavery was overthrow, aud that both
races were made equnl before the law.
We may hasten or we may reIard, butNe
cannot prevent reconciliation. Is II not |
possible for us now to make u truce with |
lime by anticipating and accepting It's
verdict. Enterprises of the
highest Importance to our moral aud
wcll-bcing invite IA and offer
ample scope for the employment Of our
best powers. Let all our people, leay-
Ing behind them the battle fields of dead !
o.