The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-12-06
NIHe pTesIuent mere suggests a natl0nl
perimental grant in aid of educatiop.)
The "CoIor Question"

Ine colored people did not intrude themselves
upon us; they were brought here in chains and
hed in the communities where they are now
chiefly found, by cruel slave code Happily for
both races they are now free. They have, from
standpoint of ignorance and poverty which
was our shame not theirs, made remarkable ad-
vances In education and in the acquisition of
property. They have, as a people, shown them
selves to be friendly and faithful towards the
white race, under temptations of tremendous
strength. They have their representatives in the
national cemeteries where grateful government
has gathered the ashes Of those who died in its
defense
They have furnished to our regular army regi-
ments that have won high praise from their COM
mandng officers for courage and sodierly quail
ties, and for fidelity to the enlistment oath In
civil life they are now the toilers of their com.
munities, making their full contribution TO the
widening streams of prosperity which these com.
munities are receiving. 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 emigra-
tion agents who seek to stimulate such drire.
But, notwithstanding all this, in many parts Of
our country where the colored population is large
the people Of that race are by various devices,
deprived of any effective exercise of their polti
cal 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
1t has been the hope Of every patriot that a
sense OF justice and of respect for the law would
work gradual cure of these fragrant evils
Surely no one supposes that the present can be
accepted as permanent condition. II 1t is said
that these communities must work out bRis prob
lem for themselves, we have right to ask whether
they are at work upon it. Do they suggest any
solutionH When and under what conditions is
the black man to have d free ballotf When is he
in fact to have those full civil rights which have
so long been his in lawi 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 questions, and not leave them as a heritage
of woe to the next The consultation should
proceed with candor, calmness and great pa
tence; 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
base Of justice and of the law.
i earnestly invoke the attention of congress to
the consideration of such measures within its
well defined constitutional powers as will secure
to all our people a free exercise of the right of
suffrage and every other civil right under the con-
stitution and laws of the United States. No evil,
however deplorable can justify the assumption,
either on the part OF the executive of congress,
of powers not granted; but both will be highly
blamabIe II 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 representa-
tves Is clearly given to the general government.
partial and qualified supervision of these cleo
tions is provided for by law and in my opinion
this law may be SO strengthened and extended as
to secure, the whole better results than can be
attained by law taking all the processes OF such
election into federal control. The colored man
should be protected in all of his relations TO the
federal government, whether as litigant, Juror
or witness in our courts, elector for mem
bers Of congress- or as q peaceful traveller upon
our interstate railways.