The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-09

the nation is resolutely facing to the
front with the resolution to employ
its best energies in developing the
great possibilities in the future,
sacrcdly preserving whatever has
been gained to liberty and good
government during the century.
Our people are determined to leave
behind them all those bitter con-
troversies concerning things which
have been irrevocably settled, fur
ther discussion of which can only
stir up strife and delay the onward
march, The supremacy of the ma
ton and its laws should be no long
er subject of debate. That dis
cussion which for a century threat
ened the existence of the Union was
closed at last in the high court OF
war by a decree, from which there
is no appeal, that the constitution
and laws made in pursuance thereof
shall continue to be the. supreme
law of the land, binding alike upon
the States and the people. This de-
cree does not disturb the autonomy
of the States nor interfere with any
of their necessary rules of local self
government; but it does fix and es-
tablish the permanent supremacy OF
the Union. The will of the nation,
speaking with the voice of battle
and through the amended Constitu-
ton, has fulfilled the great promise
of 1876 by proclaiming liberty
throughout the land to all the in
habitants thereof
UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.
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 constitu-
ton of 1877. No thoughtful man
can fail to appreciate its benefcent
effect upon our institutions and peo-
pie. 1t has freed us from the per-
pctual danger of war and dissolu-
ton. 1t has added immensely to
the moral and industrial forces OF
our people. 1t has liberated the
master as well as the slave from a
relation which wronged and enfeebled
both. 1t has surrendered to their
own guardianship the manhood OF
more than 100000 people, and
has opened to them a career OF
freedom and usefulness. 1t has
given new inspiration 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 in COM
ing years. No doubt a greater
change has caused serious disturb
ance to our southern community.
This is to be deplored, though ii
was 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 clti-
senship. There can be no perma-
nent disfranchised peasantry in the
United States. Freedom can never
yield its fulness of blessings as long
as law or its administration places
the smallest obstacle in the path
way of any virtuous citizen. The
emancipated race has already made
remarkable progress. With unques.
tioning devotion to the Union, and
with a patience and gentleness not
born Of fear, they have followed
the light as God gave them to see
the light" They are rapidly laying
the material foundations for self
support, widening the circle Of in
telligence, and beginning to enjoy
the blessings that gather around
the homes of the honest poor. They
deserve the generous encouragement
of all good men, and so ar as my
authority shall lawfully extend,
they shall enjoy the full and equal
protection of the constitution and
laws. The free enjoyment of equal
suffrage is still in question, and a
frank statement of the issues may
aid in its solution. 1t is alledged
that in many communities negro
citizens are practically denied the
freedom of the ballot. In so far as
the truth of this allegation is admit
ted, it is answered that in many
places honest local government is
impossible if the mass OF the uned-
ucated negroes are allowed to vote.
These are grave allegations, and so
far as the latter is true, it is the only
palliation that can be offered for OPP
posing the freedom of the ballot.
But local government is certainly a
great evil which ought to be pre-
vented, but to violate the freedom
and sanctity of suffrage is more than
an evil. 1t is crime, which, if
persisted in, will destroy the govern
ment itself. Suicide is not remedy.
If in other lands it be high treason
to compass the death Of a king, it
should be counted no less crime
here to strangle our sovereign power
and stifle its voice. 1t has been said
that unsettled questions have no
pity for the repose of nations. 1t
should be said, with the utmost en-
phasis. that this question of suffrage
will never give repose or safety to
the State or Nation until each, with
in its own jurisdiction, makes and
keeps the ballot free and pure by the
strong sanctions Of law.
NECESSITY OF POPULAR EDUCATION
But that danger arises from ig-
norance in the voter cannot be de
MED. 1t covers a field far wider
than that of negro suffrage and the
present condition of the race. 1t is a
danger that turks and hides in the
sources and fountain of power in
every State. We have no standard
by which to measure the disaster
that may be brought upon us by ig'
norance and vice in citizens when
joined to corruption and fraud in
suffrage. The voters of the Union
who make and unmake constitu-
tons, and upon whose will hang the
destiny of our Government, can
transmit their supreme authority to
no succor save the coming genera