Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-08

threatened tne eAlStenCe VI cuC OuioH
was closed ut last in the high court of
war by decree frem which there is no
appeal; that the constitution and the
laws made in pursuance thereof are, and
shall continue to be, the supreme law of
tho land, binding alike upon State and
people. This decree does not disturb
the autonomy of the States, nor interfere
with any of their necessary rights of To-
cal government, but it does fix and es-
tablish the permanent supremacy OF the
Uaion. The will of the nation, speaking
with tho yehemence of battle, and
through the amended constitution, has
fulfilled the great promise OF l776, by
proclaiming liberty throughout the land
to all the inhabitants thereof.
SUFFRAGE IN THE SOUTH.
The elevation of the negro race from
slavery to the full rights of citizenship
is the most important political change
we have known since the adoption of
the constitution of 1887. No thoughtful
man can fail to appreciate its beneficial
effects upon our institutions and people.
1t has freed us from perpetual danger OF
war and dissolution ; it has added i'm
meusely to the moral and industrial for
ces of our people it has Liberated the
master as well as the slave from rela-
ton which wronged and enfeebled both;
it has surrendered to their own guardl-
anship the manhood Of more than five
million ofpeople, and has opened to each
one of them career of freedom and
usefulness it has given new inspira-
ton 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 this force will grow
greater, and bear richer fruit with com
ing years. No doubt the great change
has caused serious disturbance to our
Southern communities. This is to be
deplored, though it was perhaps una
voidable: but those who resisted the
change should remember that under
our institutions there was no middle
ground for the negro race between sla-
very and equal citizenship. There can
be no permanently disfranchised peas
antry in the United States. Freedom
can never yield its fullness of blessings,
so long as the law or it's administration
places the smallest obstacle in the path
way of any virtuOus citizen.
The emancipated race has already
made remarkable progress. With IN
questioned devotion to the Union, with
patience and gentleness, not born OF fear
they have followed the light, that God
gave them to see the light. They are
rapidly laying the material foundation
of self-suppOrt widening the circle of
intelligence, and beginning to enjoy the
blessings that gather around the homes
ofindustrial people. They deserve the
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 full and free 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 places hon
est local government is Impossible If the
mass of unedncated negroes are allowed
to vote. These are grave allegations
50 far as the latter is true it il the only
paliatiOn that can be offered for Oppo-
sing the freedom of the ballot. Bad To-
cal government is certainly a great evil.
which ought to be prevented, but to
violate the freedom and sanctity Of suf-
frage is more than an evil-it is a crime
which, if persisted in, will destroy the
government itself. and suicide is not a
remedy. If in other lands it lie high
treason to compass the death of the king
it should be counted no less crime
here to strangle our sovereign power
and stitle its voice. 1t has been said
that unsettled questions have no pity
for the repose of nations. 1t should be
said, with the utmost emphasis, that
this question Of suffrage will never give
repose or safety to the States or to the
nation, until each, within its own juris-
diction, makes and keeps the ballot free
and pure by strong sanctions oflaw.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
But the danger which arises from ig-
norance in the voter cannot be denied.
II covers field far wider than that of
negro suffrage and the present condition
of that race. 1t is danger that turks
and hides in the sources of the foun-
tains of power in every State. We have
no standard by which to measure the
disaster that may be brought upon us
bv ignorance and vice in citizens when
Joined to corruption and fraud in SUI:
| frace. The voters of the Union who
make and unmake constitutions, and
upon whose will hangs the destinies OF
our government, can transmit their SUI
preme authority to no successors save
the coming generation comes to its in
heritance blinded by ignorance and cor
rupted by vice, the fall of the republic
will be certain and irremediable. The
census has already sounded the alarm IL
the appalling figures (which mark how
dangerously high the tide of ilIiteratiol
has been running among our voters ant
their children. To the South this ques
ton IS of supreme Importance. But TIT
responsibility of the existence OF slave
ry had not rested upon the Soutl
alone. The nation itself is responsible
for the extension of suffrage, and IS un
der special obligation to aid in removln!
the illiteracy which it has added to tn
voting population.
For the North and South alike Their
is but one remedy. All the constltu