Year: 1865

The Suffrage Question.


From the Washington Daily Chronicle.


We have heretofore endeavered to
show that any attempt on the part OF the
General Government to enforce the prin-
ciple of universal suffrage in the late
rebellious State would be inconsistent
with the theory that said States have
preserved their legal status as members
Of the Federal Union. We have endeav-
ored to show that such an attempt would
be inconsistent with the theory that the
loval citizens of those States have lost
none Of their political rights under the
Constitution by the treason Of portion
of their fellow citizens: and, consequent
ly, have the right to resume their former
relations to the Union, with all the pow
ers which pertain to the citizens of other
States. Entertaining these views, we
have been unable to preceive how the
question of universal suffrage in those
States can be made practical issue in
national politics, under the Constitution
as it now exists.


We have also heretofore expressed
our doubts whether. even if there were
no constitutional impediments in the
way, it would be wise and expedient for
the General Government to confer at
once upon the emancipated slaves, with
out any discrimination. regardless OF
existing prejudices, the privilege of vo-
ting in all elections. We have hereto
fore given our reasons for doubling
whether such an exercise of power even
if possessed by the General Government
would be an act of real kindness to that
unfortunate class of persons, and shall
not here repeat them.


A A. = 10 10
with the question whether it would not
be wise and expedient, as well as right
and just, for the States themselves to
extend the right of suffrage at once to
all such colored citizens as are competent
to exercise it intelli2ently. and to adopt
such meAsnreS = via tenA - prepare
all others SO to exercise it at as early
day as practicable. Upon this subject
we have no doubt. We believe that the
people of the Southern States will in the
highest degree promote their OWN inter
ests by conceding to their colored fellow
citizens equal political and legal rights
with themselves, ana by withholding
from no colored man the right of suffrage
except for reasons which ought to dis
qualify white man. We believe that
in Justice this ought to be the rule in all
the States, and consider it discreditable
to the States in which slavery has not
hitherto existed, that it has not long
since been made the rule within their
limits. Upon the ground of abstract right
and justice, the question is the same
in all States; but upon the ground of
expediency. it is of special Importance
to the late slaveholding States.


For many years to come. the capital
in these States will be chiefly in the hands
of the white people, and the colored peo-
pie will occupy the position of hired Ia
horers 1t will be of the utmost impor-
tance to both classes that good under
! standing and good feelingshall exist ha
/ tween EMPLOYERS and those who are en-
| Moved by them, between the capitalists
| and the laborer. This good understand


ing and good feeling can never exist
while the hen~aaring classes are oppressed
and degraded by their employers; while
they are treated as inferio beings. and
denied all participation n governmental


affairs. While the negroes were slaves,
it was, perhaps, to the interest OF their
/ owners to keep them 1.-THE most pro-


fonnd ignorance. But pw that they are


., hecomc hired laborss of their late
\ n1.ssos., not subject to ,e governed bv


the lash Of the oversee they must be


Heightened and elevate in the scale of


humanity to make socie in the South
ern States tolerable. bthing can tend


so directly to their er,ghtenment and
elevation as offering the sghts of Suffrage
and other political right to all who may


qualify themselves for ~ intelligent ex-


ercise of such rights. lothing can be


more important to the iterests of the
white population than thenlishtenment
and elevation of this degaded race


While it is clear to us hat the white


people of the late slaveblding States
would greatly enhance unir own pros


perity by adopting the ibenl policy


above indicated, We must cotfess that
We have not the utmost cenfhnce that


the ruling classes will see thematter in


this light We raher fear thatthey may |


strive to keep thenegroes in Z state of


degradation and servitude as IHarly like |


that of slavery sscircumstance will per-


NIT. If the genral Government lacks /


power, under the Constitution to inter /
pose in any effecual way for tie preven-


ton Of this reslt, why may not the


Constitution be mended go asto confer


the necessary power? Slavery will
doubtless very son be abolished in every
State Of the Upon by an amendment of


the Constitution It is but reasonable to


suppose that every State concarring 10
this Constitufina amendment be viii


ling to concur in such futher amend


ments as this great change may render
| enviously Necessary and proper It's not


to be supposedthat, when three fourshs OF
the States shA have united in abolishlng |