had been thus increased should be recognized by
the General Government. While slaves, they were
not considered as having any rights, civil or political. It did not seem just or proper that all the
political advantages derived from their becoming
free should be confined to their former masters
who had fought against the Union and withheld
from themselves who had always been loyal.”[1]
Nor did there seem to be any hope that the South would voluntarily change its attitude within any reasonable time. As Carl Schurz wrote: “I deem it proper, however, to offer a few remarks on the assertion frequently put forth, that the franchise is likely to be extended to the colored man by the voluntary action of the southern whites themselves. My observation leads me to a contrary opinion. Aside from a very few enlightened men, I found but one class of people in favor of the enfranchisement of the blacks: it was the class of Unionists who found themselves politically ostracised and looked upon the enfranchisement of the loyal Negroes as the salvation of the whole loyal element. . . . The masses are strongly opposed to colored suffrage; anybody that dares to advocate it is stigmatized as a dangerous fanatic.
“The only manner in which, in my opinion, the southern people can be induced to grant to the
- ↑ House Reports, No. 30, 39th Congress, 1st Session.
