The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-18
LINCOLN ON
NEGRO SUFFRAGE
What the Great Emancipation Said
in Public on This Subject
in 1865.
"some of the Colored People, the
Very Intelligent or Those Who
Fought, Should Be Let In"
New York Sun Special Service.

New York Sun Special Service.
Chicago. Feb. 1S.-William 3, Curtis
in a Washington special to the Record
Herald says: I often wonder what Abra-
ham Lincoln would think and say If he
could realize the changed attitude of the
democratic party toward him and his acts
OF late years the speeches OF the leaders
of that party and the writings of its edi-
tors are so full Of quotations from his
wisdom and they appear to place so much
Importance upon what he thought and
said that one is a little bewildered when
he remembers how they lampooned and
slandered him at the time when he needed
Endorsement and support. Over In New
York In Lincolns birthday. and in Colum
bus and elsewhere, several speeches
sounded very much as If the democratic
party had adopted Mr.. Lincoln and was
responsible for his election to the presi-
dency and his preservation Of the union.
am sure that he would be reminded OF
several little stories" If he could read
the eulogies which prominent democrats
are pronouncing upon his memory to-day
He would be especially amused at some
of the editorials appearing IN the demo-
cratic newspaper concerning his attltude
toward negro suffrage.
At the last meeting of the cabinet on
April II, 1866, the morning or the DAY OF
the assassination. the question OF giving
the franchise to the negroes came up, and
the diaries of several Of his advisors con-
tain full accounts of what he said. 1t was
the last time he discussed public affairs,
for he spent the rest of the day in recre-
alton with his wife and son.
It is also remarkable that the same sub
iect should have been alluded to In his
last speech on the evening Of April IL,
which was attended by several unusual
circumstances. Throughout his preSl-
dency Mr.. Lincoln made it a rule not to
discuss public questions in an informal
manner and when the people Of Washing
+l,n fo e.
ming after his return from Richmond with
a. band Of music he appeared at the Win
dow and in response to demand Tor q
speech said:
Il would much prefer having this
demonstration take place tomorrow, eve
ming, as I would then be much better
prepared to say what have to say than
I am now or can be this evening. there
fore say to you that shall be quite Will
ing and I hope ready to say something
then, whereas just now am not ready 10
saw ANYTHING that one In my position
ought to say. Everything say, you know,
goes into print. If I make a mistake 1t
doesn't merely affect me or you, but the
country. I therefore ought at least to try
not to make mistakes. If then general
demonstration be made tomorrow even
ing and 1t is agreeable will endeavor to
say something and not make a mistake,
without at least trying carefully to avoid
it." ....
The serenaders took the hint and re-
turned the next evening to find Mr.. Lin
coin prepared with a speech upon the
reorganization Of the state government In
Louisiana, in which negro suffrage is
briefly referred to. He had written out his
remarks with great care and 1T was the
first time he had ever done so for a sim
liar occasion. This is significant fact
and suggests that he must have had
premonition of his approaching fate. In
that speech he does not directly advocate
negro suffrage, but indorses the new con-
stitution of Louisiana, which he says IS g
free state constitution giving the benefit
of public schools equally to black ano
white and empowering the legislature tc
confer the franchise upon the colored man
If anything further was needed to con-
firm Lincoln's attitude a letter he wrote
Michael Hahn. the first governor OF re-
constructed Louisiana, March Ii, 1864,
conclusive 1t reads as follows: .....r..
Now you are about to have a conven.
ton which among other things will prob
ably define the election franchise. l bare
ly suggest for your private consideration
whether some Of the colored people ma,
not be let in, as for instance. the very in
telligent. and especially those who hav'
fought calamity in our ranks The!
would probably help in some trying tim
to come to keep the jewel Of liberty with
In the family of freedom. But this is onl.
a suggestion, not to the public, but to yo'
alone. Yours truly, "A. Lincoln"