Year: 1869

A Chat With Republican.


Republican friend, you say you are opposed to
Chinese suffrage, why, then do you support the
proposed Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitu-
tion? You reply that the Amendment does not
confer the suffrage on any but citizens and, con-
sequenty, it does not affect the case of the Chin
ese, who are aliens. 1t is clear that you have
not given this matter proper consideration.
What you say may be true, but there are other
facts of importance that you have overlooked.
You are aware that Congress is empowered by
the Constitution to pass natu uralization laws and
hence that body can make citizens of whom it
pleases and in the manner It chooses, but it can
not dictate who shall vote in the several States.
That right belongs to the States themselves.
You see, as long as the Constitution remains un-
Chinese from voting in this State. No matter
what other States may do, we are masters of the
situation within our borders. If you are oppos>
ed to Chinese suffrage, why do you desire to
change the Constitution so as to deprive US of
the power to prevent it? You say the Amend
ment will not have that effect. Let US sec.
The Amendment says: "The right of citizens
of the United States to vote and hold ofice shall
not be denied or abridged BY any States on &C.
count OF race, color, or previous condition OF
servitude." Very well. Adopt the Amendment
and you deprive the State of the right to dis>
criminate between citizens of different races or
colors. Now, then, the, only difficulty in the
Chinmen's way is that he is not citizen. Make
him citizen, and you make him a voter, bes
cause the States are forbidden to discriminate
on account of race or color. Now, we ask you
an honest, candid man. are you not well con-
viuced that Congress will so amend the Natural.
alton Laws as to include all races2 Do you
doubt it2 Let us think the matter over, then
xuhaf III ba 20 hall
that the word "white" will be stricken out of
the Naturalization Laws. You know that the
fundamental principle of yourparty is "manhood
equality" based upon literal construction of
that clause of the Declaration of Independence
which declares "that all men are created equal.
You are also aware that the suffrage is claimed
for the negroes on the ground that it is Datur>
al right based upon that equality, and that
your leaders declare it is unjust to discriminate
on account ofrace or color. You confess that
this is true. Why, then, do you suppose they
will discriminate against the Chinese Would
they not thereby falsify their professions, and
violate the great principles of equality and i'm
partial suffrage for which they contend? Is it
reasonable to suppose that they will thus stulti
fly themselves? You say that in this State they
deny that they are in favor of Chinese suffrage
Do you not remember that few years since
| they professed to be opposed to negro suffrage?
Have you forgotten that only year ago they
declared that negro suffrage in the North was
not an issue, because nobody was in favor of it :?
Notwithstanding this, you are aware that the
proposed Fifteenth Amendment, which they
urge you to support, is intended to force negro
suffrage on all the States. Thus you see, they
have deceived you in regard to negro suffrage.
Are such men worthy of further confidence 4?
Having falsely declared that they were opposed
to negro suffrage, will you believe them when
they pretend to be opposed to Chinese suffrage
But, suppose that every prominent republican
and every radical newspaper in the State
should oppose Chinese suffrage, do You not see
that if the Fifteenth Amendment is adopted,
:heir opposition will amount to nothing? Hav,
ing taken the power to regulate the question
from the State, it would be trans ferred to Con,
gress. In that body our represention isnfnite~
smaly small. The question will be decided by
representatives of States east of the Rocky
Mountains, that know but little about the Chin.
ese, and thorougly committed 10 the doc,
trine Of political equality of all men. Is it not
better, does not our safety demand, that the
State should retain control of the suffrage guess
tion? You think it would be better Then you
cannot support the Fifteenth Amendment or vote
for those who do, without being derelict in yolr
duty as citizen, and if, by your assistance, the
Amendment is adopted and Chinese suffrage
forced upon US, you will be responsible for it,
and will be so held by God and man. Do not
be deceived. Open your eyes wide and lay aside
your partisan glasses. Look this difficulty
squarey in the face and act with full sense of
the responsibility resting upon you.-S. +. Dis
Patch.