The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-10

were struggling not only against the armies
OF Great Britain but against the settled opin-
ions Of mankind, for the world did not believe
that the supreme authority of government
could be safely entrusted to the guardianship
OF the people themselves. We cannot over.
estimate the feryent love of liberty, the intel
Hgent courage and saving common sense with
which our fathers made the great experiment
OF self-government. When they found after a
short time that a confederacyof the States was
Gus and expanding republic, they boldly set it
aside and in its stead established
THE NATIONAL UNION,
founded directly upon all the people, endowed
with full powers of self-preseryation and
with ample authority for the accomplishment
of its great object Under this constitution
the boundaries OF freedom have been enlarged,
the foundations of order and peace been
strengthened, and growth in all the better
elements OF national life has yindicated the
wisdom of the founders, aud given new hope
TO their descendants. Under this constitution
our people long ago made themselves safe
their mariners and flag equality of rights on
all the seas. Under this constitution twenty
i've States have been added to the
union, with constitutions and laws formed
and enforced by their own citizens to secure
the manifold blessings of local self govern
now covers an area fifty times greater than
that OF the original thirteen States and a pop
ulatlOn twenty times greater than that of $780,
The supreme trial Of the constitution came at
last under the tremendous pressure of civil
war. We ourselves are witnesses that the
Union emerged from the blood and fire of that
conflict purified and made stronger for all the
beneficent purposes OF good government.
And now at the close of this,
THE FIRST CENTURY,
Of growth, with the ms pirations of its history
in their hearts, our people have lately reviewed
the condition Of the nation, passed Judgment
upon the conduct and opinions of political
parties, and have registered their will concern
ing the future administration of the govern
ment, and to interpret and execute that will in
accordance with the constitution, is the para
mount duty of the executive.
FRUITS OF THEW
Even from this point of view it is manifest
that the nation is resolutely facing to the
front, resolved to occupy its vast energies in
developing the great possibilities of the fu-
ture. Sacredly preserving whatever has bt en-
gained to liberty and good government during
the century, our people are determin-
cd to leave behind all those bit
which have been irrcvocably settled and
further discussion of which can only stir up
strife and delay the onward march, The SUI
premacY of the nation and it's laws should be
no longer subject of debate That discus
sion which for half a century threatened the
existence of the Union was closed at the last
court OF war by q decree from which there is
no appeal. The constitution and laws made in
pursuance thereof shall continue to be the SUI
preme law of the land, binding. alike upon
States and the people. This decree does not
disturb any OF the States nor interfere with
any OF their necessary rules Of local self gov
eminent, but it does fix and establish the per-
manent supremacy of the Union. The will of
the nation, speaking with the voice of battle
and through the amended constitution, has
1utllled the great promise Of TIT by pro-
claiming liberty throughout the land to all
inhabitants therein. Ea&]
THE NEGRO RACE.
The elevation Of the negro race, from slay.
cry to full rights of citizenship, is the
most important political change we have
known since the adoption of the constitution
OF 1857. No thoughtful man can fail to ap.
preciate its bencticent effect on our people.
1t has freed us from perpetual danger of war
and dissolution. It has added immensely to
the moral a:ld industrial force of our people.
II has liberated the master as well as the slave
from relation which wronged and enfeebled
both. It has Surrendered to
their own guardianship the manhood
OF more than five million people, and
has opened to each one of them a career of
freedom and usefulness. It has given new in.
splration to the power of self help in both
races, by making labor more honorable to one
and more necessary to the other. The influence
OF TINS force will grow greater and bear richer
1rult with coming years. No doubt the great
change has caused serious disturbance to our
southern community. This is to be deplored,
though it was unavoidable, but those who re-
sisted the change should remember that under
our institutions there was no middle ground for
Inc negro race between slavery and equalization
Ihere could be no permanent disfranchised
peasantry in the United States. Freedom can
never yield it's fullness Of blessings as long as
law or its administration places the smallest
obstacle in the way of any virtuous citizen.
Inc emanclpated race has already made re-
markable progress. With unqnestioned deyo-
ton to the Union, with 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 material foundations of self
support, widening the circle of intelligence and
beginning to enjoy blessings that gather
around homes of the Industrious poor and
lhey deserve generous encouragement of all
good men. So far as my authority can law
fully extend they shall enjoy the full and equal
protection OF the constitution and laws.
THE BALLOT
The free enjoyment of equal suffrage is still
in question, and the frank statement of the
issue may aid it's solution. It is alleged that
in many communities negro citizens are prac
tlcally denied the freedom of the ballot In
solar as the truth of this allegation is admit
ted, it is answered that in many places honest
local government is impossible if a mass OF
uneducated negroes are allowed to VOTE These
are grave allegations. So far as the latter is
true, it is the only palliation that can be Offer
ed for opposing the freedom of the ballot.
Bad local government is certainly great evil
which ought to be prevented, but to vio
late the freedom and sanctity of suffrage
is more than an evil. It is crime which if
protested iniwill destroy the government itself.
Suicide is not u remedy. If in other lands il
&c high treason to compass the death of a
king, it should be counted no less crime here
to strangle our sovereign power and stife it's
voice. 1t has been said that unsettled ques-
lions have no pity for repose of nations. It
should be said with the utmost emphasis that
this question of suffrage will never give re-
pose or safety to States or the nation, until
each within its own jurisdiction makes and
keeps the ballot free and pure by the strong
sanction of law.
But while the danger which arises from ig
norance in the voter cannot be denied, it covers
field wider than that of negro suffrage and
the present condition of that race. It is a
danger that Turks and hides in sources and
fountains of power in every State We have