March 6.
When I wrote to you yesterday, in great haste, I omitted
mentioning the historic act — the, to me, great symbolic fact — of the presentation
of colors to the regiment of blacks in Union Square by our Club. There were
drawn up in line over a thousand armed negroes, where but yesterday they were
literally hunted down like rats. It was one of the greatest days of our
history, — at least, of the history of this city. A few months ago the question
was put to us whether a Massachusetts colored regiment might march through New
York to embark. It was decided, and justly so, that it could not be done
without being prepared for bloodshed. That was shortly before the riots; and
now, within half a year, a colored regiment is cheered, and kerchiefs wave from
every window. I was deeply, deeply moved. It was for once a visible step
forward. . . .
. . . Is the law of Massachusetts, or amendment of the
constitution of Massachusetts, giving to soldiers and sailors abroad in war the
right of sending home their votes in State elections, separately printed? If
so, could I have a copy? I want it for a grave purpose; at least, the writing
an addition to that passage in my “Civil Liberty” where I have treated of the
voting of armies appears sufficiently grave to me. I have to make this
distinction, of which I never thought before: namely, the voting of soldiers as
soldiers, that is to say, by companies and battalions, — en bloc, the
French way, and which is unconditionally to be condemned, — and the voting of
soldiers as citizens sending home their votes to their respective election
districts. . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment