The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-22

elective franchise here. But IL Is sometimes
said that the negro has had no chance. The
God that made the white, made the black
man; the God that gave the one hair, gave
the other wool. In the plan of heaven each
of these races was placed on earth. The
white race, wherever it has been, from the
first. till now, has organized civil government,
advanced, improved, progressed; made the
pillow, the loom, the ship, the railroad, the tel
egraph, the watch, the compass, the printing
press. The negro race never organized civil
government they have made instruments to
kill each other; in other respects, az they
were created in their own land, so they remain
to this day. The advantage that the white
race enjoys above the black race given
by Almighty God. lnhdeli;y may seek to
undo what he has done, but il will fail
But there are other considerations, some
of which | will state. The republicans In
congress, under the lead of Sumner, of Mas.
sachusetts' passed law for the benefit o! the
freedmen, by which officers are appointed
over the land to take care OF the negroes, 10
iced and ciothe them and see they are not
cheated Courts are established to try cases
III winch they are parties. The republicans
say you cannot trust the negro to make a
contract tor one dollar, to hire himself to
work for day, and they pass a law that ap-
points hundreds OF officers, at vast expense
to see. that they are cared for and not cheated.
But they say the elective franchise the high
est privilege, the most i'm portant and respoL-
slble trust, must be given to them. The ne
gro cannot be trusted to take care of him.
self; but he can manage the state, and the
country lie not safe unless he does manage IT,
One great and prominent fact stands out in
bold relief; fact so prominent that il should
silence all clanor on this subject. That TACT
is, that we had grown, before this war, 20 be
the most pros porous, the most happy and
cOntented people on the face of tue earth,
without the aid OF negro suffrage; and il j.
fair To presume that the negro Is not there
tore necessary element IN system Of
free government, in order TO the attainment
OF the most important; ends of government
| am content to state the case. / will do no
more.
But 1t Is said the negro has fought to put
down the rebellion, apd should therefore vote
and that he Il loyal. Many, very many, Of
the white troops. who bore the flag as brave
ly IN the storm of battle us any men could
are not twenty-one years old, and they can
not vote. Many who stood beneath its folds
many field are not naturalized, and thew
cannot vote. And why should this i'm lortauf
right be conferred upon the negro aud not
upon the minor and foreigner?
Again, what right has Massachusetts TO
not vote in Illinois or Missouri? What rirbt
has Illinois or Missouri TO interfere in Ten
nessee or Kentucky? If they are states in
the Union, each state for itself has the sole
rght to decide who shall and who shall uot
vote.
One other point. In all governments. all
ought 10 contribute their just share 20 -up-
port that government. In Ini- country there
should be no privileged classes Property Of
ali Kinds cpnrI bu:es 10 support the govern
ment, except the government bonds. held
chiefly by the rich. We are Tor making
them contribute their share aud DO more 20
pay the expenses Of the government and tie
iu.ere-. gu t4. lu.ly ieur
But ID j. said there j. All agreement trat r. IL,
bonds issued shall aot b. taxed q solemn COW
cnamt that this thing shall not be done The
constitution OF the United States was and is an
agreement to form the Union. a fundamental IA s..
and the one law that rs iuviolahle: vet these
people who made this bond contract said ne
ressity gave them power TO disregard that sacred
instrument. There Is an overriding ne
ce-sjty that we should tax these bonds we want
the money and must have It, But ! deuv tho.
power of our congress, by any assumption it NAV
make, to limit the power of a II bscqurut CON
gress III ref, renee TO taxation. The only limita-
ton there l. upon congress j. the federal cuu-ti-
tuition. A congress two or four years hence C n
%
prior congress, and all limitations sought 10 he
imposed by the last congress are no more bind
Ing than last years almanac. But IL is SAID
that we should not tax these bonds because they
are in the hands of the widows and orphans Of
tae soldiers. The widows and orphans who hold
these bonds are the first, second third and fourth
national banks. | suppose, according 20 this
logic, | am widow and orphan too, for il 20
happens that | have a few Of these bonds Nv
friend Belmont and others of New York A.tor
and Vanderbilt, Spragae of Rhode Island Cass
and Chandler of Michigan the RothschiIis Bar
ing Brothers OF Europe the wealthy men here
and IN Europe own thcm. These are the dscou-
ISOLATE and irendiess widows and orphans who
should oe lett free from assisting to support the
government which protects their property.
Fellow citizens | feel full of hope for the fu-
ture. Passion Is su6sdin-, reason will resume
her sway; and IN the contest here for civil Hbcr-
ty, Tor rights dear 70 freemen, in a contest TO
perpetuate our free institutions, we must tri-
umph. The constitution must be preserved. in
order that we may perpetuate liberty in this, the
last hope for free government.
II any man Il now for the habeaS corpus trial
10y jury, freedom from arrest except by due pro-
cess oflaw, freedom of speech and the press in
short for civil and religious liberty, am with
him and for Tin. We shall preserve them
This priceless legacy must leave to our child
rem We cannot fail. ] say % democrats where
ever my voice reach them, preserve your
organizations, be Of good cheer, the dav Of sue
cess is not far distant invoke upon your de-
lioeratOns harmony, concord and kind feel
ings.
| thank you gentlemen, for the honor confer
red by calling me TO preside your debera-
tious.
Important to Alien Soldiers.