The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-16

necessary 70 secure ana project the lust
rights of persons and property.
Negro suffrage in the question Of re-
construction In the late rebellious states,
assumes an importance which does not be-
long to it in OHIO. Let US consider for q
moment the probable consequences of re-
civil governments in those states
upon the basis Of white suffrage only. The
Constitution Of the United States provides
that representation and direct taxes
shall be apportioned among the several
states which may be included within the
Union, according to their respective num-
bers, which shall be determined by adding
10 the whole number Of free persons in
GLIDING those bound to service for q
term Of years, and excluding Indians
not taxed, three ffths of all other persons"
Under this provision, which cannot be
changed, except by an amendment of the
Constitution, if the rebel States we're now
represented in Congress they would be en-
titled 10 eighteen and perhaps nineteen
members on account of three-hfshs of their
late slaves, and these members would be
elected by the whites. In the prosecution
of the war these slaves have been made
free and their freedom is recognized and
acknowledged by the Government.
In 1870 there will be q new census and
spportionment, and in the taking of this
census, the late slaves will be numbered as
freemen, and their representation will be
relatively two-ffLhs larger than it now is.
This would give the Southern States
thirty Representatives in Congress be-
cause of their cclored population. If
none in these States but whites can vote
these thirty members will be elected by
them. This will give the whites of these
States the election of about one. third of
the representatives in Congress. If upon
any question which msy come up in Con-
gress affecting the interest or prejudice Of
the whites, those representatives should
vote in solid column, it will only require
united with them about one-sixth OF the
votes from other sections of the Union, 70
control the legislation of Congress.
The restoration of civil government in
the South, if effected Immediately by the
votes of the whites alone, will IS 1 believe
result in restoring the rebels to power In
all of the States, whose organized govern
ments were carried over 10 the rebellion.
We should therefore look this question
| squarely in the face before it is too late.
Let us consider the temper of the whites
in those States SO far as authentic evil
dence will enable US. Whether il has been
caused by the rebellion, the s~ntsgonism OF
races or the disbolism of oppression, it is
rot material o to enquire. We must
deal with it as an existing fact.
Mr.. Hutchins then proceeded TO quote
the testimony Of those who have had the
best opportunity of observing the aniBlUS
of the farmer Shareholders of the South, 70
| show that they still, though compelled by
force of arms TO yield TO the authority Of
the general government, foster q feeling
hostility TO the spirit of our institutions,
and are laboring to perpetuate the suprem-
scy of their class. Their fl st aim Would
be to secure the reputation of the national
debt, the msjor portion of which is in the
hands of the loyal men of the North. They
will attempt TO ecure the payment Of q
part or the whole of the rebel debt by the
Federal Government. In lsct, these goes.
tions are being sgitsted at the present time
in South Carolina and other States. The
Suffrage of the negro could never be OBJ.
tanned for reputation, for in his mind this
debt is the symbol of his freedom.
The second peril is the possibility of the
uOAOab VI ~ Opu5bAhuhAOnhA AAAbuuhou
abolishing slavery. No negro, however
ignorant, can be induced to vote for his
own slavery and no rebel, if he has the
lesst ides that slavery can be saved, will
vote to abolish it. Whatever is done in the
Southern States, by Congress or the Presi-
dent, 1 trust hat the rights of all loyal
men, irrespective Of color, will be equally
protected.
The speaker paid q glowing compliment
to General Cox, saying: 1 need hardly
speak to this audience, composed as it is, u
his neighbors and friends, of the extent,
variety, and ~thoroughness of his acquire
ments, the purity of his motives, and the
sincerity of his convictions, for you reeog.
nize and appreciate them.
He alluded 20 the recently published let
ter of General Cox, remsrking that, a.
though he dissented from some of the view
therein expressed, he Was willing to accord
to the writer the right to hold and express
his individual sentiments upon all subjects
On the main issues which now separate the
Union party from the rebeLsympathizing
Democratic party, we all know General
Cox to be heartily with US.
Mr.. Hutchins concluded his able re.
marks amid loud applause.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Hutchins
speech, Governor Tod was introduced and
addressed the audience briefly. He an.
nounced that he had been from the first q
supporter of General Cox for the Govern.
orship, thst he had urged his nomins-
tion and that he was warmly in favor Of
his election. In the course of his remarks
Governor Tod took occasion to oppose ne,
gro suffrage in decided terms, dissenting
strongly from the views both of General
Cox and Mr.. Hutchins on that subject.
General Garfield, who was on the stand,
was then called out and made q very brief
speech, declaring that, while he did not as
sent to the theories p%ropounded by General
Cox in his Oberlin letter, he recognized the
liberty of private opinion on the subject.
The General closed in q few words, pre-
senting in a strong light the necessity OF
giving a hearty and earnest support to our
Union nominees.