"You all know, of course, that I refer to the negroes, who were forcibly
torn from their own land and enslaved in this. We must educate and
evangelize them: as a debt we owe them, and also for the salvation of
our country, whose liberties will be greatly imperilled by their
presence and possession of the elective franchise, if they are left to
ignorance and vice."

"Grandpa, what do you mean by the elective franchise?" asked Walter
going to the side of the old gentleman's chair.

"The right to vote at elections, my son. You can see, can't you, what
harm might come from it."

"Yes, sir; they might help to put bad men into office; some of
themselves maybe; and bad men would be likely to make bad laws, and
favor rogues. Oh yes, sir, I understand it!"

"Then perhaps you may want to help provide for the instruction of the
colored race as well as of the Indians?"

"Yes, sir, I would like to. I hope the thousand dollars may be enough to
help the work for both."

"I think it will; that your mother will be satisfied to have you divide
it into two or more portions, that several good objects may receive
some aid from it."

"Will you, mamma?" asked Walter, turning to her.