itten
or printed slip of paper is put into the hands of a man, black or
white, and if he can not read it, what is it to him? What does he know
about it? What can he do with it? How can he protect himself by it? As
well might the honorable Senator from Massachusetts put in the hands
of a child who knew nothing of firearms a loaded pistol, with which to
protect himself against his enemies. The child would be much more
likely to endanger himself and his friends by the pistol than to
protect himself. A perfectly ignorant man who can not read his ballot
is much more likely to use it to his own detriment, and to the
detriment of the country, than he is to use it for the benefit of
either."

"The argument in favor of making the right to vote universal," said
Mr. Frelinghuysen, in making a second speech upon the question, "is
that the ballot itself is a great education; that by its encouraging
the citizen, by its inspiring him, it adds dignity to his character,
and makes him strive to acquire learning. Secondly, that if the voting
depended on learning, no inducement is extended to communities
unfavorable to the right of voting in the colored man to give him the
opportunity to learn; they would rather embarrass him, to prevent his
making the acquisition, unless they were in favor of his voting; while
if voting is universal, communities, for their own security, for their
own protection, will be driven to establish common schools, so that
the voter shall become intelligent."

Pursuing a similar line of thought, Mr. Wilson said: "Allow the black
men to vote without this qualification and they will demand education,
the school-houses will rise, school-teachers will be employed, these
people will attend the schools, and the cause of education will be
carried forward in this District with more rapidity than at any other
period in its history. Give the negro the right of suffrage, and
before a year passes round, you will see these men, who voted that
they should not have the right to vote, running after them, and
inquiring after the health of their wives and children. I do not think
the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. Davis] will be examining their pelvis
or shins, or making speeches about the formation of their lips, or the
angle of their foreheads on the floor of the Senate. You will then see
the Democracy, with the keen scent that always distinguishes that
party, on the hunt after the votes of these black men, [laughter;] and
if they