Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-04

And now ut the cicse OF this frst century of
growth, with the inspirations 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. To interpret and to execute that will
10 accordance With the Constitution Is the
paramount duty OF the Executive.
Even from this brief review It is manifest
that the nation is resolutely facing to the front
resolved TO employ It's best energies in develor-
Ing the great possibilities OF the future. Sac
redly preserving whatever has been gained to
liberty and good government during the cent
ury, our people are determined to leave behind
them all those bitter controversies concerning
things which have been irreyocably 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 a century threatened
the existence of the Union was closed at last
In the high court OF war, by decree from
WEIGH there is no appeal that the Consultation
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 au-
tonomy OF the states nor interfere with any OF
their necessary rights of local self government,
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 Con
stitution, has fulfilled the great promise OF 1,,6.
by proclaiming "lllberty throughout the land
to all the inhabitants thereof
The elevation Of the negro race from slavery
to the full rights OF citizenship Is the most im-
portant political change we have known since
tie adoption Of the Constitution Of 1IS1. No
thoughtful man can fail to appreciate its bene-
fcient effect upon our institutions and people.
1t has freed us from the perpetual danger of
war and dissolution. IL has added immensely
to the moral and industrial forces OF our peo.
pie. 1t has liberated the master as we'll as the
slave from relation wa.ch wronged and en-
feebled both. 1t has surrendered to their own
guardianship the manhood OF more than
5,000,G0o OF people, ana has opened to each ore
OF them career OF freedom and usefulness.
: 1t has given new inspiration 10 the power of
self-help In both races, by making labor more
honorable to the 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 has caused serI-
This is TO be depl0red, though 1t was perhaps
unavoidable. But those who resisted the
change should remember that, under our in-
StItutions, there was no middle ground for the
negro race between slavery and equal citizen
Ship There can be no permanent, disfran-
chfsed reasantry in the United States. Freedom
can never yield It's fullness Of blessings so long
as the law or its administration places tue
smallest obstacle In the pathway of any yrtu.
Gus citizen.
The emanc!pateG race has already made re,
m8rkable progress. With unques ttontng devo,
t1on to the Uuicn 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 the material foundations O?
self support, widening their circle OF INTEL
gence, ard BEGINNING to enjoy the bless,1.3
that gather around the homes OF the indlstft-
Gus poor. They deserve the generous eneour-
agement Of all good men. So far as my
authority can lawfully extend, they shall
enjoy the full and equal protection of the Goa
stitutiOn and the laws.
The free enjoyment OF equal suffrage is s Il!
IN question, and a frank statement OF TIL
issue may aid its solution 1t is alleged that 4.
many communities negro citizens are particu
larly denied the freedom OF the ballot. Iusl
far as the truth of this allegation is admitted
1t Is answered that, In many places honest
local government Is impossible II the mass OF
uneducated negroes are allowed TO vote. These
are grave allegations. So far aS the latter Is
true, 1t is the only palliation that can De
offered for opposing the freedom OF the ballot.
Bad local government Is certainly great evil
which ought to be prevented; but to violate
the freedom and sanctities of the suffrage Is
more than an evil-it Is a crime which, II per-
sisted In, will destroy the government ITSELF
Suicide IS not remedy. II In other lands it be
high treason to compass the death of the king
1t shall be counted no less crime here 0
strangle our sovereign power and Stile Its
voice.
1t has been satd that unsettled questions
have no pity for the repose OF nations 1t
should be said with the utmost emphasis that
this question of the suffrage will never give
repose or safety to the states or to the nation
until each, within its own jurisdiction, makes
and keeps the ballot free aud pure by the
strong sanctions of the law.
But the danger which arises from ignorance In
the voter cannot be denied It covers a field
far wider than that Of negro suffrage, and the
present condition Of the race. 1t Is a danger
tnat turks and hides in the sources and fouu-
tains OF power In every state. We have no
standard by which to measure the disaster that
may be brought upon us by ignorance and vice
in the citizens when joined to corruption and
fraud in the suffrage.
The voters of the union who make and un-
make constitutions, and upon whose will hangs
the destinies OF our governments, can transmit
their supreme authority to no successors save
the coming generation of voters, who are the
sole heirs OF sovereign power. II that genera
ton comes to its inheritance blinded by ignor-
ance and corrupted by vice, the fall of the re.
public will be certain and remediless.
The census has already sounded the alarm.
In the appalling figures which mark how dan
gerously high the tide OF 1lliteracy has risen
among our voters and their children.
To the south this question is of supreme i'm.
portaEce, but the responsibility for the exis-
tence OF slavery did not rest upon the the south
alone The nation Itself is responsible for the
extension OF the suffrage and is under special
obligations to aid in removing the illiteracy
which 1t has added to the voting population.
For The north and south alike, there is but one
remedy. AL the constitutional power Of the
Nation and OF the states and all the volunteer
forces OF the people should be surrendered TO
meet this danger by the savory inhuence OF
universal education.
1t Is the high privilege and sacred duty OF
those now living TO educate their successors
and ut them, by intelligence and virture, for