Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-11-13
The Lale Elections scgrO suf-
frage.


Before the commencement ofthe political
canvass In the several States which have re-
Gently held elections, the question OF sup
porting the reconstruction policy OF Presi-
dent johnson was conspicuously before Cne
people. The Democrats were generally
earliest In tile field, and, observing on the
part of certain prominent Republicans a
hesitating course with reference to an in
dorsement of that policy. the former, with
out reference to past partisan action, decid-
ed with great unanimity to sustain the
President. But the dissatisfaction of indi-
vidual Republicans with the measures of
the Executive was adroitly cloaked when
they came to meet in Convention. Hypoc-
risy was resorted to, and in their resolves
they assumed to be sincerely friendly to the
Administration, not daring to utter word
condemnatOry of the Presidents recon-
struction scheme. In New York, for IN
stance, the Republican platform was framed
In an exceedingly moderate fashion, and
was i'm reality but little less conservative
and reasonable than that put forth by the
Democrats. The vote shows that much
Indifference prevailed with regard to the
result, as whatever way it went, the moral
of it would be the same in respect to up
holding. the, hands of the Chief Magis-
trate. The Republicans there have sue
ceeded again In electing their candidates,
but, In party sense, this is all there is oft.
With very many the inquiry will arise.
"What principle have we established, and
have we not stultified ourselves by tacit
Endorsement OF what in conscience we do
not approve?" Thousands cast their bal
lots for Barlow for Secretary of State who
despise and spit upon the platform upon
which he was a candidate. The issue pre-
sented by the Democrats, that the Southern
States lately In rebellion should now be en-
titled to q representation In Congress and
to resume their old position in the Union,
without being compelled to grant suffrage
to the negroes, was substantially ignored
by their opponents; and yet this is one OF
the most important questions OF the day
Indeed, who can doubt that were the South
ern States to decree the elective franchise to
the blacks, those who now clamor to keep
them out would favor their instant admis-
sion to full communionin the body polite!
In view of this point there is significance
In some of the late elections. \
1t is certain that the negro suffrage
amendment to the Constitution OF Wlscon-
sin has been beaten by several thousands,
although the Republicans have, as usual,
elected their candidates for State officers.
Returns from Minnesota are yet meagre,
but the indications point decidedly 10
similar result in that State. Our readers
will remember that negro suffrage amend
ment to the Constitution of Connecticut re-
Gently failed of ratification by the people.
The returns of the election in Colorado
Territory show an almost unanimous vote
against negro suffrage. Nowhere has this
bare question been put to the popular test,
since It became an issue in party politics,
that IL has not been met by the stamp of an
emphatic negative.
President johnson, in opposition to the
opinion of the Chases, Summers, Wades, Ste
venses, Writings. Phillipses, Boutwells,
Conways, ct al., holds truly that the Union
Is and has been unbrokeD, and that none OF
the rights of the States, under the Constitu-
ton, have been destroyed, impaired or COM
promised by the attempted secession, what
ever may have been the effect of that move
ment upon individuals. The equality OF
the States guaranteed by the fundamental
law of the Government has not been affect
ed by the war. otherwise than, by the sue
cess of the Union arms, to establish and
perpetuate the principle. With what show
of reason or fairness, therefore, can it be de-
manded that Georgia, Mississippi and Vir-
ginia shall give the negroes the right to
vote before being allowed representation
in Washington, while Connecticut, Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota shall enter the Congress
sional halls unquestioned, Notwithstanding
they, on direct vote, refuse that privilege
to the same class of people?-St. Louis Re
f,bLcHn. II E.l.. . ..... At p.