Year: 1868

By the style of the speeches of the Copperhead
orators at the late Sacramento ratification meet
ing, it is apparent that the negro hobby is to be
ridden through the present canvass. The lead
ing Copperheads believe that their appeals to the
prejudices of the people the suffrage question,
in the last campaign, contributed greatly to the
success of Haght. So believing, they have ca
parisoned the old negro nags, straddled their
backs and rode again into the political canvass.
The speeches at Sacramento, and especially that
of Mr.. Dbble, the old Know Nothing orator,
were almost entirely devoted to questions of
color and caste, which have no more relevancy
to the present campaign in this State, or any
other, than that of English reform. If General
Grant is elected President in November the suf-
frage laws of this State, and all the States of the
Union, will remain. they at the present
time for all he can do. There can be no change,
favorable or unfavorahe, to the colored inhabit-
ants of any Of the States by the election of Ho-
ratio Seymour. What Grant or Seymour may
favor or oppose on the suffrage question, has
relevancy whatever TO the Presidential election.
In fact, we believe their opinions on suffrage ex-
tension are identical.


The Copperhead leaders know that suffrage ex-
tension has nothing to do with the present can
vass, but they determined to lug in negro
suffrage" "negro equality" and their clap-trap
ABOUT the {" white mans government" because
it excites the ignorant whites against the Union
party. There are thousands of voters who can
not, or do not read but who attend the political
meetings and give implicit credence to the state
ments of the speakers. We cannot reach the ear
of the ignorant and most prejuo;ced classes
through the press. Many of this class no doubt
believe that the success Of Grant and Cofax will
lead to the establishment of universal suffrage in
this State. Some may be silly enough to believe
that Cinnamon, as we'll as Africans, will also be
admitted to suffrage rights


The National Union Republican platform so
daEp tho of tha 1artv tba
suffrage question that misunder standing seems
almost impossible. The Union platform defines
the question of suffrage to be exclusively under
the control of the people of the several States
Under our present constitution the California
Legislature may, if at any time in the future a
majority of its members so determine, submit to
the people an amendment of the constitution
proposing universal suffrage" If at such an
election majority of the electors vote "yes,
or "no,' the question will be decided as the
majority declare. This question may be submit
ted to the people of the State at some future cleo
ton, but no party is now asking for such sub
mission. How then can negro suffrage be at is
sue in the present canvass?


But the Copperheads hold that the Republican
party is committed to the doctrine of negro suf
frage in California because the Republican Con-
gress has given the blacks the ballot in the re-
stored rebel States. The relation of Congress to
the conquered States is not identical to States
that were loval to the Federal Government and
true to the Union and constitution during the
war Those States were subjected to Congress
sional legislation because of their peculiar situa
tior after the war. il was believed to be dam
gcrous to the future peace of the nation to re-
store those States to the Unior without a check
and the extension of franchise to the loyal
blacks of the South was not only believed TO be
an act Of justice, but due as reward to the tde-
ifv of that people to the Government. 1t will be
hat tha fad Wh =
cussng the necessity of arming the negroes, de-
clared that if the negroes fought for their Gov
ernment they would be entitled to all the poilt-
ical privileges oe white citizens. The Confeder-
ateS would have given their slaves the muSket
and the promise of the ballot, in case of the sue
cess of the rebellion. if the negroes conld have
been trusted. But they would not fight for the
rebels General Sherman, when our Govern
meut determined to arm and put negro soldiers
in the field, said that when these soldiers laid
down their muskets they would be entitled to
take up the ballot. Besides the justice of award
ing the blacks the ballot in rebeldom, there is
reasonable plea of necessity in the case. The
people who conquered the rebellion, and who
constituted the Government, believed that to
maintain democratic republican constitutions in
the rebel States after restoration, it would be
ecessary-absolutely imperative - to arm the
freedmen with the ballot. Honestly acting upon
this principle and from motives above any par
tisan gain or advantage, the Congress OF the
United States gave the blacks Of the South the
elective franchise. This was done, not so much
from principle from necessity-necessty aris
ing in the protection of the Government, as well
as of the individuals who enfranchsed.
What truly loyal man can object to negro suf-
frage under the circumstances by which it was
introduced? Many truly loyal men, by their
Prejudices, were opposed to arming and clothing
negroes as armed and clothed white soldiers.
These prejudices were removed by the necessity
for more soldiers to conquer the rebellion. So
our prejudces wear away in reference to negro
sufrage-where loyal men want more loyal vo-
tiers. 1t cannot be political offence to watch,
grard and hold the enemy, after fighting four
years to capture him.