Hitherto they had in the main, been modest and respectful, and mere freedom was not likely to spoil them.
But the deference to them likely to be shown by partisans eager for their votes would have a tendency to uplift them and unbalance them.
Beyond this, no harm would be done the South by Negro suffrage.

The old owners would cast the votes of their people almost as absolutely and securely as they cast their own.

If Northern men expected in this way to build up a northern party in the South, they were gravely mistaken.

They would only be multiplying the power of the old and natural leaders of Southern politics by giving every vote to a former slave.

Heretofore such men had served their masters only in the fields; now they would do no less faithful service at the polls.