National Republican., 1883-01-06
nrnnhood Citlnen sntliuac.


If the oft-repcated declaration that this is
" Il government Of the people, by the people
and for the people" is not stale platitude it
is well worth every mans while to consider
its meaning to know the extent to which it
is contradicted in our national life, and TO in.
sist upon making it living truth.
The message OF Gov. BUTLER, of Massachu-
sctts, is timely summons to discussion and
a determination of the question of whether
the declaration of independence dealt in a
giitierng generality orasserted fundamental
republican doctrine when it claimed that "all
governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed The imposition
Of ~ capitation tax as prerequisite for voting
converts the right Of suffrage into mere pur-
chasable privilege. Some may say that dol
lar cheap enough for the privilege. But is
the loss of a dollar tax TO the state an otlense
for which the delinquent should be disflau-
chiscd in company with fclOns2 Can any
American state afford TO declare that dollar
and a vote arc equivalents? 1r a man who
works loradollar day. and supportsa family
with it as best he may, fails to pay for the
right to vote within the time fixed by law, shall
his voice he sti0cd Oh election day, while the
man who is willing to vote for the party
which will buy for him the privilege goes un-
challenged TO the polls, and votes, perhaps,
for the others continued dsfranchisement?
And if the failure to pay tax Of Il dollar is
doomed worthy Of political death, what shall
| be said Of those men Of property and stand
! ing vino make false returns to the assessor,
and cvado in every possible way the pay
mcnt of their just share of the pub
lie burden? Does any State disiran-
chise the men who refuse to make
return TO the assessor? No. AS n
rule that officer is authorized to make an ar
| bitrary assessment where no return is made.
Who does not know that many rich man
prefers the arbitrary" assessment of a
! friendly or "A pliable assessor to being COM
PEELED to make an oath himself?
The capitation tax as prerequisite for vot-
ing, and the annually amended and complex
| registration laws, are intended to obstruct the
voting of the people who labor with their
hands. They are relics of the ancient dis
| trust and contempt of the well housed for the
| poor. They ignore the real truth that the
consent of the governed is the rca! basis for
all rightlul authority. They ignore the terri
bic danger that some day the objection of the
| governed may outweigh the danger that would
have followed honest universal suffrage. The
! growth of n non-votng class is menace To
the public peace. With what grace can the
suppression of the poor mans ballot in the
south be complained of if the same wrong is
committed in the north?
Gov. BUTLER reminds us that
The republican party, through its administra.
ton, and by its entire organization, struck hand,
with the progressive MAHoNE ofVirgnia and in
the election of 1882 caused tho poll.taX qualihca.
ton to be srlken from the constitution of that
state by the decisive majority Of 107303 to GO,l7.
The republican party, thus faithful to the
rights of the people in Virginia, cannot afford
to have another view of popular rights in the
north.
The call to arms in 1861 was not limited Ia
those who had paid poll tax. The strong
men who filled up the volunteer regiments
were not asked any questions about tax
! The physical power Of a state, consenting to
/
basis of civil order, and not the money box
Both are necessary. Hunger and cold have
to be bought Off with money from impeding
the march of an army, but money will not
pay for patriotic hearts, national pride, OF
strong arms. These must ever be the prod.
uct of that system only which honors man.
hood and eXalts the citizen by inviting him
to voice in the choice of magistrates and
| lawmaker5,
Democratic and republican distrust of the
people is unworthy of the times, and ought tC
| give way TO the consent of the governed ;
The minority in any state will be quite as
likely to have safe and wise leadership as the
minority. The men who are fit to rule, and
who dare to lead the masses, instead of con
spring for their suppression, will find them
selves in power, whether it be in Massachu
setts or in South Carolina. Limited suffrage
whether legalized or produced by lawless
ness, will breed class more dangerous tC
society as non-vOters than any that ever have
or ever will be produced under equal and
! universal manhood citizen suffrage