The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-03-11

~ upon bAe VIII Ot Inc people, anu CT
doWed with the future powers OF self
preservation and with ample authority
for the accomplishment of its great OBJ
jects. Under this constitution
THE BOUNDARIES OF FREEDOM wEBE
ENLARGED,
the foundations of order and peace have
been strengthened and brought in all the
better elements of national life; il has
vindicated the wisdom of the founders
and given a new hope 10 their descend.
ants. Under this constitution our PEG.
pie long ago made themselves safe
against danger from without. and Sc.
cured for their mariners and flag equal.
ty Of rights on all the seas; under this
constitution thirty-eight state houses
have been added TO the Union, with con-
situations and laws framed aud enforced
by their own citizens to secure the mani
fold blessings of local and self govern.
ment; the jurisdiction of this constitu.
ton now covers an area fifty times
greater than that of the original thirteen
states, and a population twenty times
greater than that of 1880. The trial of
the constitution came at last, and under
the tremendous pressure of a civil war,
we, ourselves. are witnesses that the
Union emerged from the blood and
fire, and that conflict purified and
made il stronger for all beneficent
purposes and good government.
of growth, with the inspiration OF all its
history In their hearts. our people have
lately reviewed the condition of the nation
and passed judgment upon the conduct
and opinions of political parties, and
have registered their will concerning
the future administration of the govern
ment. To interpret and to execute that
will in accordance with the constitution
is the paramount duty of the executive.
Even from this brief review il Is mani
fest that the nation is resolutely facing
Ia the front with a resolution to employ
its best energies in developing the great
possibilities of the future, sacredly pre-
serving whatever has been gained to lib
erty and the government during the cen
fury. Our people are determined to
leave behind them all those bitter con-
troversies concerning things which have
been irrevocably settled, further discus
sion of which can only stir up strife and
delay the onward march.
THE SUPREMACY OF THE NATION
and its laws should be no longer subjects
of debate. That discussion which for
half a century threatened the existence
OF the Nation, was closed at last in the
high court of war, by decree from
which there Is no appeal, that the Con-
stitution and laws made in pursuance
thereof shall continue to be the supreme
law of the land, binding alike upon the
states and upon the people. This decree
does not disturb the autonomy of the
states, nor interfere with any of their
necessary rules of local selEgovernment,
but il does fix and establish the perma-
nent supremacy of the Uuion. The will
of the nation, speaking with the voice of
battle and through the amended cOnsti-
tuition, has fulfilled the great promise of
1915, by proclaiming Liberty through
out the land, and to all the inhabitants
thereof" 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 con-
stitution of ITO. No thought
full man can fail TO appreci ate its benefi-
cial effect upon our people. 1t has freed
us from perpetual danger of war and
dissolution. 1t has added immensely to
the moral and Industrial forces OF our
people. II has liberated the master, as
well as the slave, from a relation which
has wronged and enfeebled both, and it
has surrendered to their own guardian
ship the manhood of more than five mil
lion people. and has opened to each one
of them a career of freedom and useful
ness. II has given new inspiration to
the power of selfhelp in both races, by
making labor more honorable to one and
more necessary to the other. The infiu-
ence of this force will be greater and
bear richer fruit with coming years. No
doubt the great change has caused seri-
Gus disturbance to our southern COM
munity. This is to be deplored. though
it was unavoidable; but those who re-
sisted the change should consider that
in our institutions
THREE WAS NO MIDDLE GROUND
for the negro race between slavery and
equal citizenship. There can be no per-
manent DISTINGUISHED peasantry in the
United States. Freedom can never yield
its fullness of blessings as long as law or
its administration places the smallest
obstacle in the way of any virtuous cit
izen. The emancipated race has already
made remarkable progress with unques-
tionable devotion TO the Union 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 material for the founda-
tons OF selfsupport, widening the cir
Gle of intelligence, and beginning to en-
joy the blessings that gather around the
homes of industrious poor. They de-
serve the generous encouragement of all
good men. So far as my authority can
lawfully extend, they shall enjoy the
full and equal protection of the consti-
tuition and laws.
THE ENJOYMENT OF EQUAL SUFFRAGE
is still question, and frank statement,
if issued, may aid its solution. It is al
legged that in many communities the ne
gro citizens are practically denied the
freedom of the ballot. In so far as the
truth of this allegation is admitted, it is
answered that in many places honest
local government is impossible if the
mass of uneducated negroes are allowed
to vote. These are grave allegations.
So far as the latter is true, it is no palIia-
ton that can be offered for opposing the
freedom of the ballot. Bad local gov
eminent is certainly great evil, which
ought 10 be prevented; but to violate the
freedom and sanctity of suffrage is more
than an evii-it is crime which, if per-
sisted in. will destroy the government
itself, and suicide is not q remedy. As
in other lands it would be high treason
to compass the death of king, it should
be counted no less crime here to
sTRANGLB OUR SOVEREIGN POWER AND
sTIFLE ITS VOICE.
Il has been said that unsettled questions
have no pity for the repose of nations.
1t should also be. said, and with the ut
most emphasis, that this question of suf-
frage 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 and pure by strong
sanction of law. That danger arises
from the ignorance of voters cannot be
denied. 1t covers field far wider than
that of negro suffrage and the present
condition of that race. It is a danger
that turks and hides in the sources and
fountains of power in every state. We
have no power by which to measure the
disaster that may be brought upon US by
ignorance and vice in citizens when
Joined to corruption and fraud in suf-
frage. The voters Of the Union, who
make and unmake constitutions, and
upon whose will hangs the destiny of
our government, can transmit their
supreme authority to no successor
save the coming generations of vot-
ers, who are sole heirs OF the SOW
ereigu powers. If that generation comes
to its Inheritance blinded by ignorance
and corruption. and by vice, the fall of
the Republic will be certain and remedi.
less. The census has already sounded
the alarm in appalling figures, which
mark how dangerously high the tide of
illiteracy has arisen among our voters
and their children. To the south the
question is of supreme importance; but
the responsibility of the existence oil
that supreme importance is but a re-
sponsibillty. If the existence of slav
cry does not rest upon the south alone
the nation itself is responsible for the
extension of suffrage, and is under
| special obligations 70 aid in relieving
the illiteracy which it has added to the
| the voting population. For the north
and south alike there is but one remedy.
All the constitutional power OF the ma
| ton, of states, and all the volunteer fog
| ces OF the people should be summoned
to meet this danger by the
SAVING INFLUENCE OF UNIVERSAL EDU
CATION.
II IL the hi0h privilege and sacred dutr