The leader., 1889-12-07

be friendly and faithful toward the white
race, under temptations of tremendous
strength They have their Representatives
in the national cemeteries where a CRATE
full government has gathered the ashes
of those who died in its defense They
have furnished to our regular army regl-
ments which have won high praise from
their commanding officers for courage and
soldierly qualities and for fidelity to the en-
llstment oath. In civil life they are now the
toilers of their communities making their
full contribution to the widening streams of
prosperity which these communities are re-
ceiving. Their sudden withdrawal would
stop production and bring disorder into the
household as well as the shop Generally
they do not desire to quit their homes and
their employers resent the interference of
the emigration agents who seek to stimulate
such q desire
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
exercise of their political rights and many
of their civil rights. The wrong does not
expend itself upon those whose votes are
suppressed. Every constituency in the
Union is wronged
1t has been the hope of every patriot that
a sense of justice and of respect for the law
would work a gradual cure of these fragrant
evils. Surely, no one suppoSes that the pres
ent can be accepted as permanent condi-
ton. If it is said that these communities
must work out the problem for themselves,
we have right to ask whether they are ct
work upon it. Do they suggest any solution?
When and under what conditions 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 law? When
is that equality of influence which our form
Of government was intended to secure to the
electors to be restored? This generation
should courageously face these grave queS-
tionS, and not leave them as q heritage of
woe to the next. The consultation should
proceed with candor, cainlness and great
patience; upon the lines of justice and hu-
manity, not of prejudice and cruelty. No
question in our country can be at rest except
upon the firm base of justice ard of the law
| earnestly invoke the attention of Con-
gresS to the consideration Of such measures.
within its welldetined constitutional powers
as Willis to all our people free exercise
of the right OF suffrage and every other civil
right under the Constitution and laws of the
United States. No evil, however deplorable,
can justify the assumption either on the
part of the Executive or of Congress- of
powers not granted; but both will be highly
blamable if all the powers granted are not
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
is clearly given to the general government.
A partial and qualified supervision of ulesa
elections is now provided for by law, ans II
my opinion this law may be so strengthened
and extended as to secure, on the whole bet
ter results than can be attained by q law TAX
ing all the processes of such election into
Federal control. The colored man should be
protected in all his relations TO the Federal
government, whether as htigant, juror or
witness in our courts, as an elector for mem
hnJ- nf q n VRlpr
upon our interstate railways.
APPROPRIATIONS FOE OCEAN MAIL SERVICE.
There is nothing more justly humiliaJing TO the
national pride and nothing more hurtful to the Ea-
tiOnal prosperity than the iDferiOrity of
chant marine compared with that OF Other nations
whose general resources, wealth ard sea coast lines
do not suggest any reason for their supremacy on
the sea- lJwas not always SO, and our people are
agreed, | think. that it shall no. continue to be so.
It is not possible in this communication to discuss
the of the decay of our shipping interests or
the differing methods by which IL Is proposed TO
restore them.
The statement OF a few Northumberland facts
and some general suggestions as to Legislation Is all
that is practicable. That the great steamship lines
sailing under the flags of England France. Ger
many, Spain and Italy and engaged in foreign COM
merce, were promoted, and have since been and
now are liberally aided by grants OF public money
in one form or another, is generally known. That
the American lines of steamships have been aban-
doncd by us to an unequal contest with the AIDED
lines of other nations until they have been with
drawn, or. in the few cases where they are still
maintained, are subject to serious disadvantages,
is matter of common knowledge.
The present situation is such that traye!ers ard
merchandise find Liverpool often a necessary inter-
mediate port between New York and some of the
South American capitals. The fact that some OF
the delegates from South American States to the
Conf ,ence of American Nations. row in session
at Washington reached our shores by reversing
that line OF travel is very conclusive of the need OF
such conference, and very suggestive as 10 the
first and most necessary step i'll the direction or
fuller and more beneficial intercourse with nations
that are now neighbors upon the lines OF lat-
tude but not upon the hrcS OF estap1Sieu con-
mercial intercourse.
recommend that such appropriations be made
for mail service, i'll American steamships, be-
tween our ports and those OF Central and South
America China, Japan and the important islands i'll
both of the great oceans. as will be literally re-
munerative for the service rendered and as will en-
courage the establishment ana Ill some lar uegTee
equalize the chances of American steamship lines
in The competitions which they must meet. That
the American States lying south OF us VIII cordially
cooperate i'll establishing and maintaining such
lines of steamships to their principal ports do NOT
doubt.
We should also make provision for q naval re-
serve to consist OF such merchant ships, of Ameri
can construction and OF 4 specified TONNAGE and
speed. the will consent to place 40 the use
of the government, in case of need. armed cruis-
ers. England has adopted this policy, and rs a re-
suit now upon necessity, at place upon her
naval list some of the fastest steamships in the
world. A proper supervision Of the construction of
such vessels would make their conversion into et-
fectfye ships OF very easy.
am an advocate of economy in our national cS-
penditures but It is misuse Of terms to make this
word describe policy that withholds an expcndi-
ture for the purpose of extending ourforeign COM
merce The enlargement and Improvement OF our
merchant marine. the development OF Il sufficient
body of trained American seameu, the promotion
of rapid and regular mail communication between
the potts Of other countries and cur own. and the
adaptation of large and swift American merchant
steamships naval uses. in time OF war, arc pub
lie purposes OF the hignest concern.
The enlarged participation OF our people in the
carrying trade the new and increased markets that
will De opened for the products oil onr farms and
factories and the fuller and better employment OF
our mechanics, which will result IRON Il liberal pro-
motion of our foreign commerce. insure the widest
possible diffusion OF benefit 10 all the S,Gyes and to
all our people. Everything is most propytLoas for
the present Inauguration of liberal and progressive
policy upon this subject. and we shoId enter upon
il with promprness and decision.
The LEGISLATION which have suggested. it is sin.
cerev hrnved will nronlu the IpiIce and honor OF