The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-12-11

upon us; they were brought here in chains and
held in the communities where they are now
chiefly found by cruel slave code. Happily
for both races, they are Free They have.
from standpoint of ignorance and pow
erty which was our shame, not theirs,
made remarkable advances in educa-
tion and in the acquisition Of property. They
have rs a people, shown themselves to be
friendly and faithful toward the white race
under temptations OF tremendous strength.
They have their representatives In the
national cemeteries, where grateful govern
ment has gathered the ashes OF those who
died i'm its defense. They have furnished 20
our regular army regiments that have won high
praise from their commanding officers for cour-
age and sOlderly qualities, and for fidelity TO
the enlistment oath In civil life they are now
the toilers Of their communities, making their
full contribution to tho widening streams OF
prosperity which those communities are re-
ceiving. Their sudden withdrawal would stop
production and bring disorder into the house
hold as well as the shop. {, nerally they do
not desire TO quit their homes, and their en-
ployers resent the interference OF the emigra-
ton agents who seek to stimulate such de-
sire. But, notwithstanding all this in many
parts OF our country where the colored popu-
lation is large, the people of that race are, by
various devices, deprived OF any effective exer-
else OF their political rights and OF many OF
their civil rights. The wrong does not expend
itself upon those whose votes are suppressed.
Every constituency in the Union is wronged.
il has been the hope OF every patriot that
sense OF Justice and respect for the law would
work gradual cure for these fragrant evils.
Surely no one supposes that the present can
said that these communities must work out this
problem for themselves, we have a right to ask
whether they are at work upon 1t. DO they sug-
gest any solution? When and under what condi-
tons is the black man to have a free ballot?
When is he, in fact TO have those full civil
rights which have so long been his in law2 When
is that equality Of influence which our form OF
government has intended 10 secure to the
electors to be restored2 This generation should
courageously face these grave questions, and
not leave them as heritage Of woe to the next.
The consultation should proceed with candor,
calmness, and great patience upon the lines OF
justice and humanity, not Of prejudice and
cruelty. No question in our country can be at
rest except upon the firm basis OF justice and OF
the law.
1 earnestly invoke the attention of Congress
TO the consideration OF such measures within
its well defined constitutional powers will
secure TO all our people n free exercise OF the
right OF suffrage and every other civil right
under the Constitution and laws of tho United
States.
Supervision of National Elections.
Evil, however deplorable, can not justify the
assertion either on the part OF the Executive or
of Congress of powers not granted but both
will be highly blamable il all the powers
granted are mot wisely but firmly used TO
correct these evils. The power to take the
whole direction and control of the election OF
members of the House OF Representatives. IL
clearly shown by the General Government.
partial and qualified supervision OF these
elections is now provided for by law, AMI
In my opinion this law may be so strengthened
and extended as 10 secure on the whole better
the process ses OF such election into Federal con-
troll The colored man should be protected in
ell OF his relations 10 the Federal Government,
whether litgant juror witness In our
courts, as elector for members OF Congress,
or peaceful traveller upon our interstate
railways
Our Merchant Marine.
There is nothing more Justly Illuminating TO
the national pride and nothing more hurtful to
the national prosperity than the inferiority Of
our merchant marine compared with that OF
other nations. IL was not always so, and our
people are agreed, think, that it shall not con-
tinue TO be SO. That the great steamship lines
sailing under the flags OF England France,
Germany Spain and Italy and engaged
i'm foreign commerce, were promoted, and
have since been and now are literally
aided, by grants OF public money, in one form
another. is generally known. That the
American lines OF steamships have been aban~
doned by us 10 unequal contest with the
aided lines of other nations until they have
been withdrawn CT, in the few cases where they
still maintained are subject TO serious dis
advantages, is a matter of common knowledge
The present stuationis such that travellers
and merchandise find Liverpool often n mecca
sary intermediate port between New York
and some OF the South American capitals.
The fact that some OF the delegates from
South American states to the conference OF
American nations in session at Washing
ton reached our shores by reversing that line
of travel, is very conclusive OF the need OF such
a conference and very suggestive as 10 the first
and most necessary step in the direction q
fuller and more beneficial intercourse with ma
OF latitude, but not upon the lines OF estab-
lished commercial Intercourse.
Our Foreign Commerce.
am an advocate OF economy in our national
expenditures, but il is "a misuse of terms TO make
this word describe policy that withholds an
expenditure for the purpose Of extending
our foreign commerce. The enlargement and
improvement of our merchant marine, the
development OF a sufficient body OF
trained American seamen, the promo
ton OF rapid aud regular mail com
munication between the ports OF other coun-
tries and our own and the adoption of largo
and swift American merchant steamships TO
naval uses, i'm time OF war, are public pur-
poses OF the highest concern: The enlarged