The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-10-09
Judge Woodward on the Word
White" in our Constitution.

In January 1888, twenty-five years ago,
great question came before the Conven-
ton which made our present Constitution
whether the right TO vote should be confin-
ed to the white men, or extended SO as to
embrace the blacks. To the powerful ef-
forts and speech of Judge Woodward upon
that occasion, we are indebted for that word
in our Constitution which now, in view of
the emancipation policy of the Administra-
ton, becomes more valuable than ever
The Judge commenced his great speech up
OH the motion to insert the word ''white'
by saying:
"Who ought to be voters in Pennsylva-
mia, or, in other words, who ought to have
political control of our government? This
is question Of the first impression and of
great magnitude. When you have estab-
lished and distributed its powers among the
several departments Legislative, executive
and judicial, it remains TO decide e0ho shall
direct and control thqt gouernme,lt. The
machine may be well supplied with all the
necessary wheels and springs, but in pre-
pairing and fitting them no question can a.
rise OF SO great Importance, as aoho &salt
haoe tie regulation Of its motion and d.
reGtiOn, aclten Il Is .fnishe3 asad ready for
sse. The question has now TO be answer
ed, with reference to two distinct and sepa-
rate classes OF men, the whites and the
blacks, and for all the reflection have been
able TO give on the subject, ] am prepared
to say, tie political poacers Of this gOosrn-
naent, ought to be ererciSed exclusively By
aoAite men. In coming to this conclusion |
have endeavored, as far as possible, to di-
vest my mind Of all popular prejudices a.
gainst the African race, whom we have a.
mong us. They deserve my sympathies,
and they have them; but | feel unwilling
to surrender this government, in whole, or
in part, into their keeping, and I am, there
fore, prepared to vote for this amendment
and to say in our Constitution that the vo-
ters Of Pennsylvania shall be WHITE free
m4n."
fte 7szIcnl proceeded statesnan-iIi1e
manner to support his position, in reply to
Thaddeus Stevens and others who had spo-
ken in favor of comforting the right to vote
upon blacks.
Several years ago President Lincoln made
a speech on this same subject at a gather
ing Of negroes in Cincinnati for the purpose
OF presenting Mr.. Chase, now Secretary OF
the Treasury, with silver pitcher. Then
and there MIR. Lincoln said, amid the sweet
aroma Of pcrspiring negroes, eve feel,
therefore, that all legel distinctions between
individuals OF the same community, found
ed IN any such circumstances as color, orr
gin or the like, are hostile to the genius of
our institutions and Incompatible with the
true history of American liberty. | en-
brace with pleasure, this opportunity of de-
claring my disapprobation Of the clause of
the Constitution which denies to that portion
Of the colored people the right of suffrage" "
Gov. Curtin belongs to the same school
of Abolitionists. In his recent speech ac-
cepting tke nomination he said nothing a.
gainst the Presidents emancipation and ne
gro equality policy.
White men of Pennsylvania, are any of
you governed by your passions and prcju-
dices as to be willing to admit negroes to
terms of political and social equality. If
so, vote for Curtin, if not vote for Judge
Woodward.