The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-02-13
Letter from Columbus.
Hall Of the Hoase of Representatives,
GoIunbue FIX 7th 1891


Mr.. EDITOR: There is great prepa.
rations being made in this city for the
reception of Abraham Lincoln, on the
18th. The Legislature have sent a
joint Committee of five on the part of the
House, and three on the part of the SEN
are TO 'lead over the track We ex-
pect to see the "Old Hoss' ribboned off
in the most magnificent style, and march.
ed through the streets, after the fashion
of the premium OK going to the slaughter,
except that the finale will be transversed.
In the original the people slaughtered the
OK, but in this instance the OK will
slaughter the people. Mr.. Lincoln will
then be on his way to Washington city to
be inaugu.ated and it's proper to say
that the expense ofthis spree is to be borne
by the city of Columbus, and not by the
State, as was the Legislative spree last
winter that cost the tax payers of Ohio
about seven thousand dollars If any of
the expectant Republicans of Monroe de.
sire to 'bow down and worship" the old
gentleman, will take pleasure in afford
I,
will come up on the 9Th.
On Thursday of last week my bill to
prevent the amalgamation of the white
an6 colored races came up again in the
Senate and occupied the principal part of
the day. The abolitionists, Prof Mon
roe of Oberlin, Mr.. Garfield, Mr.. Cox,
DR.. Fisher and Mr.. Parrish made long
speeches against it, and introduced all
sorts of amendments, but the Senate vot-
ed down all amendments and finally pass.
ed the bill as it went from the House.
and so it became the law of the State
The utmost excitement prevailed during
the discussion, and general rejoicing a.
mong the whites of the city was the re-
suit, but the Oberlin saints and their sat-
elites are down upon me- as the author of
the bill, with vengeance.
We are just now reaping the fruits of
the Republican triumph in Ohio, and Bit
ter fruit it is. Even the Republicans
themselves are disgusted and actually
alarmed when they scent the fruit, for
it can be scented. The blacks and mu.
lattoes are focking into this State in
hordes and swarms: Last week over one
hundred and fifty of these unfortunate
creatures, in o state of destitution, settled
in and about GAINESVILLE, having emigrated
from South Carolina. The city of Zanes-
vile is not alone. Almost every town
and city in the State is being bnrthened
down with swarms of these creatures,
who are driven out by the Southern
States.
The most of the Northern States have
passed laws prohibiting the immigration
and settlement of blacks within their bor-
ders, but Ohio has thrown wide her doors,
and invited them to settle here, and the
result is. that they are coming down upon
as in swarns, as did the frogs and lice up
on the Egyptians. Even Columbus ia
being filled up with them; and in state
of starvation and destitution they are
traversing the streets, begging, and offer
ing to work at anything for ten cents a
day. II will be recollected by many of my
constituents that have contended on the
stump, that the interest of the mechanics
and laboring men of Ohio requires the
passage of a law prohibiting the immigra-
ton and settlement of blacks in this State,
upon the ground that white labor would
be degraded by coming in competition
with black labor, and the white man would
have to labor for ten cents day, or get
nothing to do. With view to protect
the white men of Ohio, I gave notice yes
terday, that 1 would, on tomorrow, or
some future day of the present session, in
troduce bill, entitled, "a Bill to protect
the interest of Mechanics and Laboring
Men in Ohio, by prohibiting the immigra-
tion and settlement of black and mulatto
persons in this State"
Petitions are being circulated, and very
numerously signed, in Columbus, Zanes.
vile, and other places, by all political par
ties, and particularly the laboring classes,
for the passage of the bill propose.
The sale o. lease of the Public Works
of this State is engaging the attention Of
the House and Senate. I do most sin.
cerely hope that we will be able TO get a
bill through to sell these works, and there
by get the State and the people out from
under the most damning load of fraud
and corruption that has ever cursed the
tax payers of Ohio, and borne them down
with heavy burthens to the earth.
MY bill for the extension of time to
Samuel johnson and others for the pay.
ment eff section l6, in Monroe county,
passed the Senate to-day, and is now q
law. Mr.. Potts bill fixing the time for
holding the courts in Tuscarawas and No.
BILE, passed both branches. so the Noble
common pleas will be held on March 9th
June 4th, and Nov. 18th.
In haste, aaa
H. Your humble servant,