New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

ginia, under al act approved Janustry ~ io'"'
The Republicans were divided upon this measure
The political condition Of the Southern States at
this time was deplorable The Democratic ma
jortity Of the white men Of that section refused
obstnatey to accede to the will OF Congress In
according equal political rights to the negroes
spirit of mad prescription was sweeping
through the South. ostracisng white Repup-
leans politically and socially. The blacks were
exposed to different treatment Scenes were be-
ing enacted in the South. any one OF which would
have led to popular uprising In the North ana
the immediate slaughter Of its perpetrators. the
late Confederates rode or marched IN armeo
bands at night In disguise. whipping kiiiihs
and striking terror into the families OF those
guilty of being Republicans; and they gathered
in armed companies at the polls and drove away
Republican voters by thousands. Republicans
were being murdered in cold blood. Ballot DoXes
containing a preponderance of Republican votes
were being destroyed. and fraudulent Demo-
cratic majorities returned in lieu of the actual
Republican majorities. The South was con-
vulsed by a reign Of terror. begun by the former
owners OF the slaves, who were resolved to re-
gain absolute supremacy in their States. 1t
must be confessed that the cclored voters had
given them some slight excuse for these unlaw-
full and revolutionary proceedings. But. on the
other hand had they given the South govern
ments Of the highest. purcst and most patriotic
order. the result would not have been changed.
The late Confederates were implacable and were
resolved upon wrestling from the negroes the
governments OF their States. They aimed abso-
lutely at total suppression OF the negro vote
This prospect being definitely in view. many Re-
publicans in Congress were reluctant to admit
the remaining States at all.
On the other hand, the Democrats in Congress
were almost unanimously in favor OF the read
mission Of Virginia, in order to strengthen their
vote In that body. The vote in the House. there
fore. January IA, 1870 was 142 yeas ga Repub-
licans. 80 Democrats) to 40 nays (all Republic
cans). In the Senate. however. the bill passed
on January ~ by ~ yeas call Repubcans) TO 10
nays q Republican. Ieemocrats)
Mississippi was readmitteds by act ap-
proved February %. 1870 1t having then be-
come apparent that the Republicans Of Congress
were determined, by other laws, to protect the
freedmen of the South in the right to vote. the
Democrats now opposed further reconstruction.
The bill was passed by the House on February
by 134 yeas (all Republicans to 56 nays q
Republicans, 81 Democrats): in the Senate. also
by party vote.
Texas was readmittcd. by the act Of March
30. 1870, by a party vote in both houses, Re-
publicans in the affirmative lin the House. ~
to As; in the Senate, Al to I'D.
Georgia, the last Of the seeded States to be
taken back came in under an act approved
July Is, 1870 A long debate occurred over this
final act of reconstruction. but the State was
admitted by Republican votes in both houses.
It remains only to be said that the magma
nimity Of the Republican party in thus restoring
all of the seeded States to a voice in Congress.
with power to affect public legislo,on. and in
removing the political disabilities Of the late
Confederate soldiers. in full view Of the proba-
bility of a speedy suppression Of the negro
vote Is without parallel in the history Of the
world
PROTECTING THE BALLOT.
While restoring the Southern States to full
powers however Congress was resolved to take
every precauton to protect the colored race of
that section in the right to vote in Congress
elections. A law therefore passed APP
proved May 81, 1870. ito enforce the right Of
citizens to vote in the several States of the
Union" 1t provided that all citizens qualified
by law to vote should be entitled to vote. with
out distinction OF race, color. or previous condi-
ton of servltude. any law. usage or Constitution
OF any State or Territory to the contrary not
withstanding. Persons hndering. Obstructing
or combining. by threats. bribery or other un-
lawful means to prevent qualified citizens from
voting. were made liable for each offence to pay
$500 to the aggrieved party. and fine of 500
or suffer Imprisonment from one month to
year. or incur both penalties. The same pun
lshment, emitting the payment to the aggrieved
party was provided for for these who should
prevent persons to whom the right OF suffrage
was guaranteed by the Fifteenth Amendment
from exercising that right by threats. violence,
hr;h.rv Enactment from rented lands or depriva-