Year: 1867

Manhood suffrage in the District of Columbia !
Blessed are our eyes, for they see, and our ears
for they hear. The prophets of justice and the
kings of philanthropy have waited for this day
Patriotic and just men hail the event with ex-
cedng joy. For slavery in the States, viewed as
existing fact, it possible to plead extenn-
alton but the District was under the immed-
ate care of Congress, and by consequence was
national domain in pre-eminent sense. Here,
ther efore was the fostering center of our shame.
Had it been practicable, the Proclamation of
Emancipation should have taken effect there first
of ALL 1t is em;nently fit that this second and
finishing act of national reparation should strike
the center.


Not every wrong perpetuated within our bord-
erS is n national wrong. Private and class res
possibility covers everything save Governmental
acts proper. Slavery, which the fathers hoped
the young Republic would slough off by sheer
vigor of growth, in an evil hour was exalted to
vital relation by Constitutional guarantees, and
from that moment became another antagonistic
heart in the same body, with a moral certainty
that the two hostile vital centers would ultimate
ly tear the body in twain. With the far-sighted-
ness of iniquitous interest the slave system was
placed beyond the reach of Congressional legis-
lation The laws by which it was fostered or
discouraged were indeed national acts, but in
direct in their operation. But here was an area
surrounding Capitol crowned with the Goddess
of Liberty, unquestionably under the law-mak-
ing control of Congress, yet the clank OF chains
the dismal refrain of every exultant song
Separate States had their barracoons, but here
was Americas slave-pen and mart. The power
full battery which energized the whole system
and kept the currants of its cruel life afOw was
located at Washington. At this shrine the ma
ton Knocked her goddess and glored in her
shame. Here Columbia was covered with the
filth of polluted sacrifices 1t was heart-discase
and the whole head in consequence was faint
Israel never insulted God with fouler doatry
hypocrisy never displayed the mockery of hol-
lower worship. Smite oppression with the hand
that riveted and held the chain Strike at in
justice with slave drivers whip in slave
drivers grasp Emancipation is incomplete till
the political power of sef-protection is conferred.
righteousness has approached the Capital with
leaden feet and doubtful men. At last the deed
is done, the physician has healed himself The
Proclamation of Freedom was not more grandly
prophetic. This last act and remote results, fills
that immortal instrument with befitting grand
eur of immortal meaning. Slavery had technical
ly expired, but its hateful substance remained
strong and defiant. The practical mockery is
changed to a deed of trenchant TRUTH and the
one dark stain is wiped forever from the proudest
flag that revels in the winds.


Every noble impulse of humanity, the pride of
consistency, patriotism, Justice, religion, heroic
faith all appeal to the several States to q go and
do likewise" Let vagabonds howl and traitors
hiss. Let the breeders of blood-hounds to track
and tear Union refugees, bay like their own dogs.
Let the smitten maniaus who cursed Johnson till
he turned traitor, and now curse Congress be-
cause it will not turn traitor Also vomt new
blasphemies against the holy name of Liberty
Let foul lust, and lazy pride, and insolent credu-
lity, and audacious conceit and coward fear, and
testy spleen, and self-conscious envy, and gleam-
ing hate, and blear-eyed prejudice and besotted
ignorance, and porcine brutality stir every cess
pool with their asinine yociferations till every
club-room of Democracy reeks like an omnium
gGthcrum of stenches. That which is altogeth
er just, shalt thou do is henceforth to be the
maxim Of the nations wisdom, and the condition
of its perpetuity and glory.


"The mower mows though the rattesnake writhe.
And tho c"perhead coil round the blade of the scyte


San francisco Times.