The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-03
John Cochran's Opinion u Regard g Ne,
gro saGraee.

John Cochran's Opinion y Regard . Me-
gro suGraee. Is
Hon. John Cochran made speech in
front of wilIard's hotel, Washington, on Fri
day evening last, which is reported - fol-
lows.
FELLow-C Though thankful to YOU
beyond expression for this kind evidence of
your regard, am neither 90 unmindful of
your comfort nor 80 inconsiderate of your pa
tience as TO attempt the lnfiiotion of sspeech
The midsummer heat of a Washington night
admonishes to forbearance, would we survive
to future trials. Laughter and applause. Still
! cannot, without discourtesy TO you, and
want Of respect to myself, refuse TO speak on
some of the themes which occupy the public
mind. These shall be SO far compressed
that, while fitting to the occasion, they shall
not oppose those SAUNDERS to which the late
hour invites. / may say, then, that among
the accepted fruits Of the late war which has
but just now terminated in q restored union
are the equality ofthe negro among mankind,
and the full recognition Of oil the rights in
him which appertain to universal manhood
tApplsose- He who marshalsd freedoms
arms 10 this grand consummation fell - il
WAS achieved. The sssassin's arm reached
beyond the life of the martyr Lincoln, and
"Thea, goa and and all of us fell Down,
While bloody treason fourished over uso
Applause
Bus thssame Providence which took from
ne ON, Lincoln gave to us Andrew johnson
Cheers Under his auspices we are taught
70 sugur we'll of the future. I,my fellow-cit
liens, am no better qualified than you to
speak of the principles which direct him. and
will mould his administration. From his
measures thus far developed may we, how
ever. in some degrees approximate to those
principles. Primary among them would
seem 70 be his recognition of the exclusive
constitutional right in each state to regulate
the elective franchise within its own borders;
or, In a more emphatic phrase, that no state
or states have the constitutional power to
prescribe to any other state or states their law
of suffrage. Applause and Kisses In
this proposition L am inclined TO think all
candid and rejecting minds agree. Renew
ed cheering Another subject invites my
attention. liz 10 the question of extending
suffrage to the negro Now, fellow citizens,
it the foregoing proposition contains a truth
the discussion of this question cannot be of
much practical consequence to us of the north
In Its application to the states lately In rebel
lion. Yet do 1 choose to speak frankly on
the subject. While, therefore, am clear
that the negro should be invested with the
elective franchise, do not think that, in the
current phrase, it should be to him "a uni
versal suffrage" Applause and Kisses. l.
To bestow this right on nearly four millions
OF ignorant persons, admitted to be uulntorm-
ed even OF the nature or the necessity of law,
would, in my opinion, be the transfer of the
right OF selt-governmentf from the intelligence
which now. impresses it to the incom potency
OF capricious and benighted numbers. An
archy must ensue or / am afraid that felon
rebellion, would revive. Much as respect
the manhood of the races ell over the world.
without distinction of color, and claim unex-
ceptionabie respect for their rights. / incline
strongly to the belief that the unit of intelI;
gence, and not alone the unit of humanity.
Is the safe measure to be applied to the prob
lem OF self government, or, in other words. to
the right of suffrage. Therefore, had | the
power, would extend the invaluable privil-
ege to those negroes at the south capable of
understanding it's uses, and withhold il
from those VINO are afflicted with the incapac-
ity of ignorance. and until they shall be >uf
hciently educated to discreetiy exert it
Applause and Kisses. Fellow citizens. |
ask you, before 1 retire, to hail with your an |
piause the trst captain of the age-Ulysses
;. Grant-the champion of the Union
cheering Ito offer the need of your praise |
to Sherman, and Sheridan, and Thomas. his |
great lieutenants- cheers and then, with |
an nndying gratitude to the Supreme Direct
or for a restored and prosperous country. let
us separate for that 'repose we all need so
IN UGH.