The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-24

ready we learn JndU IneV Nave DeeH
extensively organized into secret so
cieties or leagues. with a view to be
voted en- masse, and under the infiu-
ence of prejudices carefully instilled
into them, in opposition to the whites
who were formerly masters or may
now be owners of property. To elect
such a class to be permanent voters,
as is now proposed to us, will be to
make a revolution tending to anarchy,
and to hazard, in my belief, the long
continuance of any State government.
Foreigners are barred out from the
right to vote for five years after set
tlement here, by our naturalization
laws, in order that they may become
acquainted with our institutions, and
capable of taking part in their adj
ministration, and must prove that
during that time they have behaved
as persons of good moral character,
and well disposed to the good order
and happiness of the country. The
freedmen as a class are less inform
ed than foreigners and less capable
from want of education and early in
struction."
Gov. Graham then takes up and
struction passed by Congress. After
providing for the establishment of
Military Governments in the ten
Southern States, the first of these
acts, as quoted by Gov. Graham, goes
on to declare that:
"When the people Of any one of
said Rebel States shall have formed
a Constitution of Government in con-
formtv with the Constitution of the
United States in all respects, framed
by the convention of delegates elected
by the male citizens of said State,
twenty-one years old and upwards,
of whatever race, color or previous
condition. who have been residents in
said State for one year, previously to
the day of such election. except such
as may be disfranchised;
'When such Constitution shall pro-
vide that the elective franchise shall
be enjoyed by all such persons as
have the qualifications herein stated,
for electors of delegates. and when
certain other things shall occur Gas
further recited in the 5th section),
said State shall be declared entitled
to representation in Congress and
Senator'S and Representatives shall be
admitted therefrom on taking the
oath prescribed by law"
''This is the only provision touch
ing the subject matter under consid-
Grafton, and its only intimation is,
that until there is fulfilment of the
requirements, the Military Govern
ment shall continue. There have been
threatening declarations made by in
dividual members of Congress. and
certain presses have teemed with full
limitations against all who should
hesitate in taking Immediately the
steps proposed" < <
1.-THE first reflection which occurs
on hearing these announcements Is,
that it would be a harsh measure and
SAVIOR of injustice to require people
to vote in an election, and then
|, punish them for voting for the can
didate, whether man or measure) OF
their choice. And further, that it
would be still more unjust to punish
the people of North Carolina for fail
ure to make a Constitution and es-
tablish basis of suffrage which
Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and
other great and leading States of the
North have refused, and still do re-
fuse. to establish for themselves,
though with far less cogent reasons
than prevail with us. The COnstitu
ton of Pennsylvania. as reordained in
1888. regulates suffrage in these
words:
I'm elections by the citizens every
WHITE freeman of the age of twenty
one years, having resided in this State
one YEAR and in the election district
where he offers to vote ten days inn
mediately preceding such election. and
within two wears PAID a STATE OR
COUNTY TAX which shall have been
assessed at least ten days before the
election. shall enjoy the rights of an
elector," etc.
THAT of New York provides that
Every male citizen of the age of
twenty-one years. ETC., shall be emit
tied to vote, etc. But no man of color,
unless he shall have been for three
years citizen of the State, and for
one year next preceding every cleo
ton shall have been seized and pos
sessed of a freehold estate of the value
of two hundred and fifty dollars over
and above all debts and membranes
cIdfSeu thereon. ana snail nave Dee0
actually rated and paid tax thereon,
shall be entitled to vote at such cleo
ton" etc.
That of Ohio, as follows: every
white male citizen of the United
State. of the age of twenty-one years,
who shall have been a resident of the
State one year next preceding the cleo
ton, and of the county, etc, in which
he resides. such time as may be pro-
vided by law. shall have the qualifca-
tions of an elector and be entitled to
vote at all elections"
Since the passage of the Acts of
Congress on this subject, an amend
ment has been proposed in the Consti-
tuition of Ohio by the Legislature and
submitted to the vote of the people,
so as to admit colored men to the
right of suffrage on the same footing
with white men: and after Il most
animated canvass in its favor bv the
leading public men of the dominant
party in that State, the news comes
to us as / write, that it has been re-
iected by an overwhelming majority.
Now. will there be any punishment at
tempted upon the people of that State
fOr. rpfuSiDU IN extend the riOht of