Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-06-29
Constitutional Convention.

Tuesday, June lth, Mr.. Gillett of Gallia
presented the petition Of sundry citizens of
Scioto county, asking that, whereas the Gre
ator has made physical distinctions among
men, and allotted different and distinct por-
tons of the earth for their residence, the
right of suffrage be withheld from the black
race, and as far as can be done under the
constitution of the United States, they be
prevented from removing to, and settling
within this State. Referred to the Commit
tee on Miscellaneous Affairs.
On the 18th, the Convention in Commit
Tee of the Whole, MIR. Hitchcock of Geauga
in the Chair, took up the Report of the Stan
ding Committee on the Militia. The first
section of the Report was as follows:
"Sec. l. That all the white male inhab-
itants shall be enrolled in the Militia, res
idents of this State, being eighteen years of
age and under iorty-fivc years, and shall per-
fo,m Military duty as may be directed by
law"
Mr.. Sawyer moved to strike out" eigh-
teen, and insert twenty-one." lie thought
il not best to enrol boys.
MIR. Lidey said these boys made the best
soldiers. He cited instances. The motion
was lost
Mr.. Cook moved to strike out the word
"white."
MIR. SAWYER moved, in addition TO Mr..
Cooks amendments 10 strike out the word
"male" Numerous petitions had been sent
there to accord to the ladies the right of suf-
frage he thought they should be allowed TO
fight as we'll as to uOte. The enrolling OF
the Indies would contribute 10 the improve
ment of military discipline.
MIR. Woodbury. of Ashtabula hoped the
amendment of MIR. Cook would prevail
lie saw no good reason why any class OF
citizens should be exempted from their share
of the public burdens. lie referred TO the
services of colored men i'll the war of the
revolution.
MIR. Mannon, though in favor of general
laws, was not in favor of granting blacks the
same privileges as whites.
MIR. Hawkins, referring TO Mr.. Sawyer's
motion, took up the cudgel for the ladies',
and said lie would rather see gentlemen
meet tho arguments the ladies bring for ex-
tended rights than treat them with ridicule.
lie expressed hope that this ridicule would
cease, for the time would soon come when
the ladies' must be heard, and the questions
they PROFOUND seriously considered.
MIR. Gillett of Lawrence alluding to the
motion of Mr.. Cook, suggested that the
trainings ought TO take place in cold wealth
er, OtiltrWloc tiio Vuo Ai'Sh' pS io'hea VA
fensive.
MIR. Hitchcock of Cuyahoga was in favor
of MIR. Cooks motion on the principle of
equal rights. He could not understand how
gentlemen who were Jealous for equal rights
in regard to corporations, could abandon
that principle where men were concerned.
The question on striking out the word
"white," was taken and lost, only ten on a
division voting in its favor.
The first section was then stricken out
md substitute offered by Mr.. Hitchcock
of Cuyahoga adopted, leaving the whole
matter of organizing and discipllniDg the
Militia TO the Legislature under the consti-
tuition and laws of the United States. An
amendment exempting persons having con-
scientious scruples in regard TO war and
bearing arms, from performing military du-
", was the subject of discussion till the close
Of the morning session, when the Conyen-
ton adjourned till Monday morning.
[The amendment was voted down on
Monday, and so was another intended to
prevent any person from being compelled to
perform military duty in time of peace
Ed. Bugle.]
On the 18th, Mr.. Townshend presented
the memorial of w. ii. Day of Lorain, ask
ing that the Elective Franchise be extend
ed to all citizens without distinction as to
color After the reading of the memorial,
MIR. Holmes inquired whether the memori-
nlist was white or black. MIR. Townshend
answered that he was nearer white than
black-so near that he was voter. Mr..
Robertson expressed himself favorable TO
the reception of the memorial as 1t came
from man who under decision OF our
Supreme Court, was entitled to yotc-
Mr., Mannon was understood to say thu. he