Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-01-31
THE BALL ABOUT TO BE OPENED,

Mr.. Monroe gave notice in the House, yester-
day, that "at some future day of the session, he
would introduce bill to amend Art. V. Sec. J. Of
the Constitution, by striking the word white
thercirom." petition was also presented by Mr..
Jewett, of Summit comfy, praying the passage Of
such BILL and "the repeal of ali laws making a
distinction account of color" Our readers
will remember that we noticed the fact of such
petitions being circulated for signatures last sum-
mer, and at the same time predicted the presen-
tation of bill of this kind. The incidents in the
House yesterday not only verify our statement,
but also fulfil our prediction. Let see what fur
ther will be DONE Statesman.
We hope the Old Wheel Horse Of the States
man Will not bo too much alarmed, becau e of the
facts stated. Mr.. Monroe has a constitutional
right to bring in the bill of which he has given no.
tce, and the people have the same right to petition
for the repeal of all laws making distinction on
account of color" and the Statesman, as a Demo-
cratic paper, ought to support these principles of
equality and equal right" Our Congressman
elect, Mr.. Cox, ought to be particularly active in
pressing these measures to successful termina-
ton, because of his love for the common people,
and democratic equality in general.
There are quite number of States whose Con-
stitutons have not the word white in them. The
old Democratic States of Maine and New IIamp-
shire, allow nggers' to vote. And in the State
Of Louisiana. which has just given its vote for
Buck and Breck, 'niggers' are allowed to vote,
and many of them did vote at the late election. -
In Tennessee and North Carolina, free negroes
used so vote Hon. John Bell, the present Sena-
tor from Tennessee told us not month ago in
Cincinnati that the first time he ran for Congress
in his district, he received upwards of three hun
8red negro votes. He was then jackson man,
and the negroes who voted for him, doubtless vot-
ed for the hero of New Orleans likewise. In the
old Federal Hartford Convention aristocratic State
of Massachusetts, negroes vote the word white is
not in her Constitution. We merely state these
facts that excitable neighbor need not become
unnecessarily alarmed at the preliminary notice Of
Mr. Monroe, or the petitions which may come in
from the people.
! We have no idea the bill which Mr. Monroe In
tends to introduce will command the vote of fifth
part of either house, and consequently it will not
pass; but even if it should pass it would only
submit the question to the people for their decision,
Most probably the people would vote it down by
an immense majority, because of the Inherent
prejudice which is entertained by them against
! the colored race But on the other hand,if a ma
joriiy of the people should decide to strike out
the word white from the fundamental law, and
thus permit colored persons to vote, without refer
ence to the shade quantity of African blood
which may flow in their veins, what is the States
man going to do about it? Is not the voice of the
| pepe the voice of God? Has it not said so ten
thousand times? Has not the Statesman all its
! life been telling the people that they can do no
harm, that they are ever wise, over to be trusted
Is it in its life to belle its professions
of attachment TO the will and its confidence in the
intelligence of the people? 1t would appear,
| for the mere proposition to submit to them sim
pie question of striking single word from the
| Constitution, cause it to shake with fright like
Belshazzar at his feast. viii the people commit
political suicide, think you If not, why is the
Statesman so tremulous rs to results? All we
hope is the people will not be afraid Of themselves
whatever the Statesman may be for them.- Ohio
| State Journal.