Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-09-08

Che question Of negro suffrage can
come before the people of Ohio is through
a proposed constitutional amendment. No
such proposed amendment is included in
those submitted; consequently, the ques-
ton is not an issue in the campaign, and
ne who asserts that it is, LIEs-under a
great mistake. 1t is true that a PROPOSE
ton t. submit Tile question to the people
was before the Legislature last winter; but
u DID not receiUe a single oote. 1t never
was voted upon. 1t was introduced for
buncombe. When it does come up, if it
ever should, we shall meet it like man.
and discuss it fearlessIy. Until then, it is
not necessary to give our views on the sub
ject.
2. We are charged with AJollioniSms,
Now, what is an bolitionist? AS we
understand the term, an Abolitionist is one
who is in favor Of the immediate and un-
conditional emancip patton of the slaves in
the southern States, either by act of Con-
g'ess, or by the Interference in some way
OF the people outside Of the slave states
If we are correct in this opinion, then we
are not an AboIitionist and cannot be; and
he who calls us one tells falsehood. We
believe in the sovereignty Of the states
in State RiglIts-tbat is, that each State
of this Union, in her local laws, munci-
pal res ulations, and domestic institutions,
is Independent of every other state-that
the citizens Of one state have no right to
meddle with the laws and institutions of
another state, (exccpt in the way Of
friendly discussion on questions of right
and policy, affecting the country that the
powers of the general government are
limited by the Constitution of the U nited
States-that the general government has no
power to meddle with the internal affairs of
any state, further than is expressly s.ipu-
lated in the Constitution. Slavery exists,
by virtue Of local law, in certain states.
We believe it 10 be wrong; but we do not
live under that law-are not responsible for
it-haye nothing to do with it. The citi-
zens of those states are responsible for the
law and It's consequences, and they alone
have the right to continue or abolish it.
So long as it does not interfere with our
own rights, as citizens of Ohio, or as cti
zens Of the United States, it is our duty
to let il alone, 1t is only when it thus in
terferes that we propose TO meddle with it
further than to discuss its merits or de-
merits, as we should any other question.
In the good old times, this doctrine was
called Jellersonian Democracy, and all
opposed to it were called Fcderalists. But
times have changed since then. However,
i a belief IN tie sin Of lSla0ery, and an
adherence to the doctrine of State Fights,
constitutes an Abolltionist, then we glory
in the name. In future article, we in
tend to show how slavery is attempting to
invale the rights of the citizens of the
Free States, and endeavoriug to build up
an overshadowing central government, by
trampling upon State Rights. But not now
3. We are charged with favoring social
equality 9f blacks and wAites. Handblls
were circulated throughout the country an
nouncing this lie. Now, we have already
said that we believed in no other equality
than that of right. We consider it mpos-
sible to elevate some white men to a social
level with decent negroes, and vjce UerSa.
But why this fear and dread? Are Dem
ocrats afraid to give blacks fair chance,
for. fear they will win for themselves
higher social level than their white breth-
ren? Verify, it looks like it. Else, why
all this clamor, about placing the negroes
on an equality with white families. For
our own part, we thinksthere is no danger
that we shall ever be so "hard up2afor So
ciety as TO mix" with niggers on terms
of equality, even if they should all obtain
every natural and political right we now
enjoy, But there is danger of some peo-
pie.
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We have been informed that Mr. A