Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-11

government, but it does fix and es.
tablish the permanent supremacy OF
the nation. The will of the nation
speaking with the voice of battle and
though an amended constitution has
fulfilled the great promise of177G by
proclaiming " liberty throughout the
land to all the inhabitants thereof"
THE NEGRo-EQUAL SUFFRAGE.
From slavery to full rights of citi-
zenship is the most important politi-
cal change we have known since the
adoption OF the constitution of 1887.
No thoughtful man can fail to ap-
preciate its beneficial effect upon our
institutions and people. 1t has
freed us from perpetual danger of
war and dissolution. It has added
immensely to the moral and indus
trial forces of our people; it has
liberated the master as we'll as the
slave from relation which wronged
and enfeebled both: it has surrend-
cred to their guardianship the man.
hood of more than five million peo.
pie, and has opened to each one of
therl career of freedom and USE
fulness; it has given new inspiration
to the power of self.help iu both
races by making labor more honor
able to one and more necessary to
the other. The influence of this
force will grow greater and bear
richer fruit with coming years. No
doubt the great change has caused
serious disturbance to our southern
community. This is to be deplored
though it was unavoidable, but those
who resisted the change should re.
member that under our institutions
there are no middle grounds for the
negro race between slavery and equal
citizenship. There can be no per.
manent disfranchised peasantry in
tho United States. Freedom can
never yield its fullness of blessings
as long as the law or its administra-
ton places the smallest obstacle in
the pathway Of any virtuous citizen.
The emancipated race has already
made remarkable progress. With
unquestioning devotion to the Union,
with patience and gsntleness not
born of fear they have followed the
light as God gave them to see the
light. They are rapidly laying ma
terial foundations Of self ~e1ppo~t;s
widening the circle of intelligence
and beginning to enjoy the blessings
that gather around the homes of the
Industrious poor. They deserve gen.
erous encouragement from all good
men. So far as my authority can
lawfully extend they shall enjoy full
and equal protection of the constitu-
ton and laws. The free enjoyment
of equal suffrage is still in question
and frank statement of the issue
NAV aid it's solution. 1t is alleged
that in many communities negro cit
izens are practically denied freedom
of the ballot. In so far as the truth
of this allegation is admitted, it is
asserted that in many places honest
local government is impossible if the
mass of uneducated negroes are al
lowed to vote. These are grave al
legations. So far as the latter is
true, it is the only palliation that
can be offered for opposing freedom
of the ballot. Bad local government
is certainly a great evil which ought
to be prevented, but to violate the
freedom and sanctity OF suffrage is
more than an evil. 1t is crime
which if persisted in will destroy the
Government itself. Suicide is not a
remedy. If in other lands it be high
treason to compass the death of a
king, it should be counted no less a
crime here to strangle our sovereign
power and stiAe its voice. It has
been said that unsettled questions
have no pity. For the repose of the
nation it should be said with utmost
emphasis that this question of suff-
rage 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 tho strong sanctions Of the
law. But the danger which arises
from ignorance in the voter cannot
bs denied. It covers field far wider
than that OF negro suffrage and the
present condition OF that race. 1t il
a danger thas turks and hides in the
corners and fountains Of power. W.
have no standard by which to meas
ure tho disaster that may be brought
upon us by ignorance in citizen.
whom Joined to corruption and fraud
in suffrage. The voters Of the Unior
who made and remake constitutions
and upon whose will hangs the des
tiny OF our Government, can trans
init their supreme authority to NJ
successor save the coming genera
ton OF voters who are sole heirs o
the sovereign power. II that gener
alton comes to its inheritance blind
cd by ignorance and corrupted b,
vice, the fall of tho Republic will b.
} certain and remedieless.
TIE NATTER OF EDUCATION.
= The census has already SOUNDED