s. The country--the loyal
States--were not then ready for the measure. The alternative was to
cut off the representation from States that denied the elective
franchise to any class of adult male citizens. Finally Mr. Sumner was
compelled to accept the alternative. Some change of phraseology was
made, and Mr. Sumner gave a reluctant vote for the resolution.

Aside from the debates on the constitutional amendment there were
serious difficulties among Republicans in regard to the exercise of the
right of suffrage by the negroes.

Previous to the year 1868 there was a majority of Republicans who would
have imposed a qualification, some of service in the army or navy,
some of property and some of education. It was with great difficulty
that the scheme of limitation was resisted in regard to the District
of Columbia. As to the Democrats they could always be counted upon to
aid in any measure which tended to keep the negroes in a subordinate
condition. This of the majority--there was always a minority, usually
a small one, who were ready to aid in the elevation of the negro when
his emancipation had been accomplished. I do not recall the name of
one man who favored emancipation as a policy and adhered to the
Democratic Party. When a man reached the conclusion that the negroes
should be free, he could not do otherwise than join the Republican
Party. At the time of the admission of Tennessee, July, 1866, there
were only twelve men in the House of Representatives who insisted upon
securing to the negro the right to vote. A larger number favored the
scheme, but they yielded to the claim of that State to be admitted
without conditions. At that time the power of the President was not
impaired seriously, and his wishes were heeded by many. There was
also an understanding that the State would concede the right upon terms
not unreasonable.

Next to the restoration of the Union and the abolition of slavery the
recognition of universal suffrage is the most important result of the
war. It has its evils but they are incidental, and their influence is
limited to times and places, while the advantages are universal and
enduring. Universal suffrage is security for universal education. It
is security against chronic hostility to the Government and security
against the manifestation of a revolutionary spirit among the people.
They realize that with frequent elections, the evils of administration
may be corrected speedily. By