The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-03-08

dliSoioto dhu CSpaiiuihS iSpuoiis3 ebCy wv
ly set it aside AMI in its stead established a
national union founded directly upon the will
of the people, endowed it with future forms
of self preservation and with ample authority
for the accomplishment OF its great object.
Under this constitution the boundaries of
freedom have been enlarged: its founda-
tons of order and peace have been strength
! ened and its tn III all the better elements
of national lite have indicated the wisdom
of its founders and given new hope to their
descendants. Under the constitution, our
people, long ago, made themselves safe against
danger from without and secured for the
marine and flag equality of rights on all seas.
Under this constitution twenty five states
have been added TO the union with a con-
stitutIon aud laws framed and enforced by
their own citizens to secure the manifold
blessings of local and self government. The
jurisdiction of this constitution now coYers
all area fifty times larger than that of the
original IL states and a population twenty
times greater than that OF TITS. The SUI
prene tria. of tins constitution came at last,
under the tremendous pressure of civil war.
We ourselves witness that the union emerged
from the blood and fire of that conflict puri-
fled and made stronger for all the benetccnt
purposes of a good government and now, at
he close of This first century OF our growth
its further discussion can only stir up
strife and delay in our onward march. The
supremacy of the nation and its laws should
be no longer a suhject of debate. That dis
clsslon which for half a century threatened
The existence of the Ulion was closed at last
IN the high court of war by a decree from
which there is no appeal. That the consli-
tuition 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 decree does not disturb. But it
does fix and establish the permanent supIem-
acy OF the Union, and the will of the nation,
stirred with the force of battlt,and through the
amended constitution. has fulfilled the great
promises Of ITS, by proclalning elderly
throughout the laud to all inhabitants" The
elevation of the negro race from slavery 20
the full rights of citizenship is the most irl-
portant political change we have known sin .e
Tie adoption of the constitution of 17S7. No
thoughtful man can fail TO appreciate he i'll
spiratiOns of its history in their hearts. Our
people have lately reviewed the C ,udition Of
he nation and passed judgment upon the
opinions and conduct of the political parties,
aud have registered their will concerning the
future administration of the government. TO
interpret and execute that will in accordance
with the constitution is the paramount duty
Of the executive. Even from this briet re-
vie it is manifest that the nation is resolute-
y dSili w lLl' iolig aiiu Ilao I'oolNt" W Sih
plUy its best energies in developing the great
possibilities of the future ~sacretily preserv-
ING whatever has been gained to liberty and
good government. During the century our
people are deteimed to leave behind them all
The bitter controversies concerning things
which have been irrevocably settled, 1t has
surrendered to their own guardianship
the manhood of more than 5,0O0,O 900 people,
and has opened to each one of them a career
of freedom and usefulness. 1t has given a
new Inspiration to the power Of stlf-help in
both faces, 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 the coming years. No
doubt this great change las caused serious
disturbances and anIlOyanceS in some COnl-
inunitles. This is to be deplored, though it
was unavoidable; but these who resisted the
change should remember That under our III
situations there was no middle ground for the
negro race between slavery and >qual citizen
Ship. There cannot be a permanently dis
tranclised pcasanlry in the United States.
Freedom can never yield its fullncss of bless
ings as long as the law or its administration
places the smallest obstruction in the rath
way Of any citizen.
The negro race has already made a remark
able progress. With uuquestioning devotion
to the uulon, with a PATIENCE and gelllcuCss
not born Of fear, they have followed the light
as God gave them to see the light. They are
rapidly laying the material foundation OF
self support; widening the circle Of ~itt~lli-
yGice and beginning to enjoy blessings thai
gather around the hoiic OF the industrious
poor. They deserve the generous encourage
nlent Of all good men. 80 far as my author
Ivy can lawfully extend they shall enjoy the
full and equal protection Of the constitution
and the laws.
The free enjoyment Of equal suffrage is still
the question, and d frank statement OF the
issue may lead to lis solution. 1t is alleged
that iii many communities negro citizens are
practically denied the freedom Of tie
ballot. it is alleged that in
government is impossible if the mass of UNI
educated negroes are allowed to vote. These
are grave allegations and so tar as tn latter
Is true 1t is only Il p4illatlOn that can be offer
Ell Tor opposing the freedom of the ballet. \
bad local government is certainly a great evil
which ought to be prevented, but TO violate
the freedom and sanctlty of suffrage is more
than an evil Ii is IL crime which, if persisted
IN Will destroy the government itself.
suicide Is not Il remedy. If in other land. ii
be ilsll treason TO compass the loss of Il king
dom, it should he counted 10 less a crime
here. But the danger which arises from IT,
norance cannot be denied. 1t covers a field
far wider than that of negro suffrage aud the
preaen' coMultiOn Of that race. IL is a dan
ger that turks and hides in the corners and
fountains of power Ill every state. We have
no standard BY which to measure the disas-
ter that may he brought upon us by the ig-
horance OF citizens when joined to corruption
and fraud III suffrage. Tie voters of
the unlon who make and unmake constitute
tons, and upon whose will and voice rest tie
tate OF our government can transmit their SUI
pieme authority TO no successor save the con-
ing generation of voters who are sole heirs of
me sovereign power. If that generation comes
to It's inheritance blinded by ignorance and
corrupted by vice, the fall of the republic will
DC certain ana remediless. The census has
already quietly sounded the alarm in ANAL,