The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-03-12

OF local sell government.
The Jurisdiction Of their Constitution now
covers an area fifty times greater than that
Of the original thirteen States, and popu-
lation twenty times greater than that Of 1870. |
The supreme trial ol the Constitution csme
at last under the tremendous pressure Of the |
civil wnr. We, ourselves, are witnesses that
the Union emerged from the blood and fire
Of that conflict purified and made stronger
for all the benefcient purposes of good gov
ernment.
And now, at the close Of this first century
of growth, with the inspiration Of its history
in their hearts, our people have lately re-
newed the condition Of the nation, passed
judgment upon the conduct and opinions OF
political parties, and have registered their
will concerning the future administration Of
abe Government. To interpret and TO exc.
cute that will in accordance with the Con-
stitution is the paramount duty Of the Exc
cutive.
Even from this brief review IL is manifest
that the nation Is reselutely facing TO the
front, resolved 10 employ its best energies in
developing the great possibilities Of the fu-
ture. Sacredly preserving whatever has
been gained to liberty and good government
during the century, out people are deter
mined 10 leave behind them all those bitter
controversies concerning things which have
been irrevocably settled, and the further
discussion Of which can only stir up strife
and delay the onward march.
The supremacy OF the nation and its laws
should be no longer subject Of debate. That
discussion which for half century threat
ened the existence Of the Union, was closed
at last in the high court of war by decree
| from which there is no appeal, that the Con.
stItution and the laws made in pursuance
thereof, are, and shall continue to be the
supreme law Of the land binding alike upon
the States and the people. This decree does
not disturb the autonomy Of the States nor
interfere with any of their necessary rights
of local self-goyerDment, but it does fix and
establish the permanent supremacy OF the
Union.
The will Of the nation, speaking with the
voice of battle and through the amended
Constitution, has fulfilled the great promise
of l776, by proclaimng liberty "throughout
the land TO all inhabitants thereof"
The elevation Of the negro race from slave
ry to the full rights of citizenship is the most
important political change we have known
since the adoption of the Constitution oil
1887 No thoughtful man can fail to appre-
ciate its beneficient effect upon our insttu-'
lions and people. 1t has freed us from the
perpetual danger Of war and dissolution. 1t
has added immensely to the moral and in
dividual forces Of our people.
1t has liberated the master as we'll as the
slave from a relation which wrOnged and
enieebled both. 1t has surrendered tb their
own guardianship the manhood of more
than 5,000,000 people, and has opened tn
each one .! them a career of freedom and
usefulness. 1t has given new inspiration to
the power of self-help IN both races by max
inn la.hnr nnora hnnnrahlA In Tho nna and
more necessary To the other. The influence
of this force will grow greater and bear rich
fruit with the coming years.
No doubt the great change has caused
serious disturbance to Our Southern COM
munities This is 10 be deplored, though il
was, perhaps unavoidable.
But those who resisted the change should
remember that, under our institutions,
there was no middle ground for the negro
race between slavery and equal citizenship
There can be no permanent disiranchised
peasuntry in the United States. Freedom
can never yield its fulness OF blessing SO long
as the law or its administration places the
smallest obstacle in the pathway ofany vir-
tuous citizen.
The einancipated race has already made
remarkable progress With unquestioning
devotion 10 the Uuion, with patience and
gentleness not born Of lear, they have "Fo-
lowell tue light as God gave them to see the
light" They are rapidly laying the mate
rial foundations Of seli-supInrt, widening
the circle of intelligence, and beginning 10
enjoy the blessings that gather around the
homes ofthe industrious poor. They deserve
the generous encouragement OF all good
men.
So far as my authority can lawfully ex-
tend, they shall enjoy the full and equal
protection Of the Constitution and the laws.
The free enjoyment Of equal suffrage is still
| III question, and q frank statement of the
issue may aid its solution. 1t is alleged that
IN many communities negro citizens are
practically denied the freedom of the ba .ot.
In so far as the truth Of this allegation is adj
mitted, il is answer ed that in many places
honest local government is impossible lthe
mass of uneducatcd negrues are allowed to
vUte. These are grave allegations. So far us
tho latter is true. 1t is the only palliation
that can be offered for opposing the freedom
Of the ballot. Bad local government is Ger
tainly great evil, which ought to be pre-
vented, but to violate tho freedom and
sancity OF the suffrage is more th an an evil
it is a crime, which, il PERSISTED in, will
destroy the Government itself. Suicide is not
a remedy. Ifin other lands il be high treason
TO compass the death of the king, it should
be counted no less q crime here TO strange
our sovereign power and stihe its voice. 1t
has been said that unsettled questions haYe
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 nation until each State with
in its own jurisdiction makes and keeps
the ballot free and pure, by the strong sane
tions Of the law. But the danger which
arises from ignorance in the voter cannot be
denied. II covers field far wider than that
Of negro suffrage and the present condition
| OF that race.
II is danger that turks and hides in the
sources and fountains of power in every
State We have no standard by which 10
measure the disaster that may be brought
upon us by ignorance and vice in the citi-
zens when joined 10 corruption and fraud in
the suffrage.
The vUters OF the Union who make ard
unmake Constitutions, and upon whose will
hang the destinies of our Government, can
transmit supreme authority To no successor
save the coming generation of voters, who
are the sole heirs OF sovereign power. IL
that generation come to its inheritance
blinded by ignorance aud corrupted by vice.
the fall OF the Republic will be certain and
remediless.
The census has already sounded the alarm
in the appalling figures which mark how
dangerously high the tide Of illterancy has
risen among our voters AMI their children.
To the South This question is of supreme i'm
portsnne, but the responsibility Tor the ex-
istenes OF slavery did not rest upon the South
alone.
The nation itself is responsible for the ex-
tension Of the suffrage aud is under special
obligations to aid IN removing the illiteraey
which it has added 10 the voting population.
For the North and South alike there is but
one remedy. All the constitutional power
Of the nation aud oi the States aud all the
volunteer forces the people should Le SUN
moned TO meet this danger by tue sa wing in-
huence Of universal education.
It is the high privilege and sacred duty Of
those now living To educate their success,rs
aud lit them by intelligence ard virtue for
the inheritance that awaits them. In this
benefcisnt work sections and races should be
forgotten aud pArtisanshp should be un-
known. 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 destinies Of the
Republic.
My eountrymen, We do not now differ in