The broad ax., 1909-05-08
The NegrO'S
Citizenship.
Is Origin and Growth Result Of Chi War.
Agzag Position Of RepubHCsn Con-
VeatiOn Of 1868 Which Nom
mated General Grant.

ing sketch Of the origin and growth of
Negro suffrage, which sketch is inter
esting at this time because Of the prop
osition to place such restrictions upon
the suffrage that thousands Of colored
and others voters viii be disfranchised
The Republican victory of 1866 lee
70 the incorporation Of impartial suf-
frage In the constitution Of the United
States. The evasive and discreditable
position in regard to suffrage taken by
the national Republican convention
that nominated General Grant in 1868
was keenly felt and appreciated by the
members Of the party when subjected
to popular discussion. There was some
thing so obviously unfair and unmanly
in the proposition to impose Negro suf.
frage on the southern states by ma
tional power and at the same time 20
leave the northern states free to de-
eide the question for themselves that
the Republicans became heartily
ashamed Of 1t long before the political
canvass had closed.
When congress assembled imme-
diately after the election Of General
Grant there were found to be a COM
mon desire and a common purpose
among Republicans to correct the IN
fortunate position in which the party
had been placed by the national con-
vention, and to that end 1t was re-
solved that suffrage as between the
races should by organic law be made
impartial in all the states Of the Un-
ion, north as well as south.
Various propositions were at once
offered both in the senate and house
to amend the constitution Of the Unit
ed States In order to attain impartial
suffrage. 1t was both significant and
appropriate that the draft proposed by
Mr.. Henderson Of Missouri was taken
as the basis OF the amendment first
reported to the senate. In the preced-
ing congress when the fourteenth
amendment was under consideration
Gin the spring Of 1860 Mr.. Henderson
had proposed substantially the same
provision and had solemnly warned
his Republican associates that, though
they might reject 1t then, II would be
demanded Of them in less than Eve
years. This declaration was all the
more suggestive and creditable coming
from a senator who represented a for
mer slaveholding state. And II was
not forgotten that Mr.. Henderson had
with equal zeal and equal foresight
been among the earliest to propose the
thirteenth amendment
Mr.. Henderson's proposition, now
submitted and referred to the judi
ciary committee. was in these words:
mo state shall deny or abridge the
right Of fits citizens to vote or hold Of
fee on account Of race, color or previ-
Gus condition"
It was reported from the judiciary
committee by Mr.. Stewart Of Nevada,
with an amendment proposing another
form OF Internationally The right
Of citizens Of the United States to vote
and hold office shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or any
state on account Of race, color or pre-
vious condition Of servitude"
Lut uEbdAG Ou NuG QuColOh
Mr.. Hendricks OF Indiana reproached
the Republican party by forcing this
question upon congress when in the
platform Of principles upon which they
appealed for popular support they had
distinctly waived 1t and when the leg
islature to which 1t must go for ratif-
cation had been elected without the
slightest reference to II in the popular
mind. In order 10 prevent what might |
seem to be an unfair submission Of the
amendment Mr.. Dixon Of Connecticut |
proposed that II should be referred to |
conventions in the respective states |
instead Of to the legislatures and thus |
give to the people in the election Of |
Of the conventions a full op- |
portunity TO pass upon the merits Of |
the question. +.
It was contended, on the other hand, |
by Republican senators that no sub
ject had been more fully matured In |
the popular mind than this had been
by the discussion which had taken
place since the beginning and especial
" since the close OF the war. But |
this was not a candid or truthful
statement Of the case, as had been
shown by the action OF
the national Republican convention.
Only a few Of the leaders Of the party
had openly announced themselves In
favor Of Negro Suffrage IN the nation;
a few were openly hostile, while the
great majority Of the prominent mem
bers feared IT and refrained from
open expression In regard to It. The
mass Of the party. as IS usual on ques-
lions Of this character, had made their
own conclusions. and their carnestness
Of conviction finally forced II It did
not persuade the reluctant chiefs to
adopt IT.
The house OF Representatives had
been considering the question Of the
suffrage amendment at equal step with
The senate On Jan IL Mr.. Boutwell,
u Massachusetts,. from the committee
IN the judiciary. proposed an amend
ment TO the constitution In these
words. The right Of any citizen Of
the United States to vote shan not Be