Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-03-04

l "~1lSu stN SGTl1c diIu uclsiJ tut
onward march. The supremacy of the
nation and its laws should be no longer
subject of debate. That discussion which
for half century threatened the existencs
of the Union was closed, a: least in the
high court Of war. by decree from 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 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 theil
necessary rights of local selfgOvernmeut.
but it does fix and establish the perma-
nent 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 11'G, by proclaiming
''liberty throughout the land to all the in
habitants thereof
| The elevation of tine 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 1857.
No thoughtful man can fail to appreciate
its beneiicent effect upon Our institutions
| and people. It has freed us from the per
petual danger Of war and dissolution it
| has added immensely to the moral and in
dividual forces OF our people; it has liber-
ated the master, as well as the slave. from
| relation which wronged aud enfceblcd
both; it has surrendered to their
own guardianship the manhood of more
than five million people, aud has
opened to each one nf them career Of
freedom ard usefulness; it has given new
inspiration to the power OF scIi-ncIp in
both races, by making labor more honor
able to the one and more necessary to the
other. The influence of this fovcc will
grow greater and bear rich fruit with the
coming years. No doubt the grea,
change has caused serious disturbance
to our Southern communities. This is to
be deplored though it was perhaps un-
avOidable, 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 nn
permanent DISTINGUISHED pcasan.ry in the
United States. Freedom can never yield
its fulness of blessings 81 hong as the law
or its administration places the smallest
obstacle i'll the pathway of any vir,uous
citizen. The emancipatc, race has already
'AtsNS plOSltSS. W !tit
tioning devotion to the Union. with il pa
ticnce and genticness not born o: far. they
have ''foilowed the light as tod gave
them to see the light" They arc rapidly
Laying the material foundations oi self
support, widening the circle nf in:cl!i
Gence, and beginniu: to enjoy the bless
ings that gather around the homes of the
industrious poor. They deserve the gen
erOus encouragement OF al! good men. SD
far As my authority can lawfully extend
they shall enjoy full and equal protection
of the constitution and the laws.
The free enjoyment OF equal suffrage is
still in question. ard ;s frank statement oi
the issue may aid its solution. 1t is alleged
that in many communities neg:o citizens
are practically deprived the freedom
Of the ballot. In SD faI rs the truth
of this allegation is admitted it is
answered that in mauy places honest
local government is impossible if fhe HAS;
of unrducated negroes are allowed to
vote. These are grave allegations. SO
far as the latteris true. it is the only palIia-
tion that can be offered for opposing the
freedom of the ballot Bad local govern
,nent IS certainly a great evil, which ouaht
to nc prevented. But to violate the free
dem and sanctity Of the suffrage
is more than IN evil: it is a
crime which il persisted in will
dcstroy the government itself Suicide
is not remedy. If in ether land:,
it be high treason to compass the death Of
ihe king. it should be counted no less !.
crime here to strangie our sovereign power
and stitle its voice. It has been said ''un-
settled questions have no pity far the re-
pose of Of nations It s!.ouId be said.
with the utmost EN- mp!,aSiS, that this qu s.
tion OF suffrage will never give rcpo>e or
safety TO the nation until eacl, within 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 ignGr-
ance in the vGtcr cannot be denied. 1t
covers Il field far wider than that of negro
suffrage and the present condition of that
race. 1t is q danger that turks AID
hides in the sources and fountains |!
CT power il, every state. We have |
no standard by which t. measure
the disaster hat may DC brought upon us
by ignorance and vice il the citizens. when !
joined to corruption and fraud III the sut !
fraGe. The voters of the Union. whn |
make and uruake constitutions and upo, |!
whose will hang the ,lcS:inies of orr gov
to no successor save the coming genera |
tiOn of voters who arc the sole heirs nf |
sovereign power. II th,t generation |
comes to its inheritance, blinded by i!'or-
ance and corrupted by vice, the fall af the |
republic will be certain and remedies; |
The census has already sounded the alarm |
in the appalling figure. which mark how !
high the tide "f i!iteracy has |
risen anon. our voters and their children. !
To the South this question is of supreme !
Importance. but the responsibility fOT the |
existence of slavery did not rest upon the |
South alone. The nation itself is rcspnll-
Si5le for the extension OF the Suffrage and |
is under special obligations 20 aid in re-
moving the iiliteracy which it has added |
to the voting population. Far the Norti,
ana Souti, alike. there is but one |
remedy. All the constitutional power Of !
the nation and Of the state and all |
the volunteer forces of the people should |
be summoned to meet this danger by Tn" |
saving influence Of universal cducatio:.. |
It is the high privilege and sacred duty OF
those now livin.. to educlta their success
ors and fit them by intelligence aud virtue !
for the Inheritance which awaits them. In |
this beneficent work, sections and races |
should be forgotten and partisanship |
should be unknown.
Let our people find 2 new meaniu. III |
the Divine oracle which declares tha. ~,
little child shall lead them'' For our
little children will soon control the dcsti-
nies Of the republic. My countrymeE, We |
do not now differ in our Judgment con