Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-06-22
senator Sherman on sunrage.


From speech by Senator Sherman OF
Ohio, delivered at Circlcville, Ohio, June 10,
we extract the following.
And first, as to the former slaves Of the
South, we promised them their freedom BY
every mode by which one people may speak
to another. We proclaimed il by the procla.
nation Of Mr.. Lincoln. Congress twice rat
fled this proclamation, and the people in
two annual elections have ratified it. These
slaves have won their freedom by their devo
ton to our cause. They have from the
beginning been true friends. They have
borne our flag in battle. They have carried
our arms They have been slaughtered for
our cause. They have aided our sick and
wounded. They have fed our soldiers when
in prison, and have guided their escape
They have performed the humble offices Of
the camp and the hospital. They never
fought against us. They have relied upon
our promise, and have performed their
part. Without them, and without their
presence as weakness to the enemy we
might have succeeded. BY their ample
faith in US, following our fleets and our
armies, they have earned their freedom. -
The enemy know aud confess that an newt
| able incident Of their overthrow is the free
dom Of the slave. Therefore conclude that
we must secure them their freedom beyond
all doubt or peradyenture, and maintain it
| against every danger in.any form of recon.
! struction that may be adopted.
WHO SHALL VOTE IN THE SOUTH.
Will you in addition, authorize them to
vote? Will you invest them with all the
rights and incidents of citizenship? Have
you the power to do it under the Constitu-
tion of the United States? 1t is perfectly
clear that, unless the powers Of Rebel States
are changed or affected by the Rebellion,
! Congress cannot fix the qualification of
a voter within State. The Constitution
provides but for three elections: Of President,
Of Senators, and of Representatives. The
President Is chosen by electors appointed iD
such manner as the Legislature OF the State
may elect. Senators are chosen by the
Legislatures Of the respective States, and
, members are chosen by the people Of the
several States, and the electors Of each State
shall have the qualifications requisite for
electors Of the most numerous branch Of the
State Legislature. If anything is clear it is
that the trainers Of the Constitution meant
that each State should prescribe whs should
vote. The only liBtation upon this power
is the duty Of the National Government to
maintain in each State Republican form
OF Government. But again the question re-
ours, is not all this changed in State
where the voters have voluntarily renounced
their allegiance to the General Government?
eau such State renounce all its duties, and
yet insist upon its rights? 1t is generally
admitted, and is certainly very clear, that
the United States may punish traitor by
depriving him OF his life, his property, and
his franchise. If one, why not all who are
equally guilty?If the entre voting population
have openly revolted against their allegiance
it is absurd to say that We have power to kill
them, and yet have no power to prevent
their voting. Again, Can we punish the
counterfeiter Of our coin with disfranchise-
ment, and yet net so punish traitor? IF
one why not all? But it is said that if the
loyal people are left who can vote. 1t is a
sad fact, but very true one, that the mum
Der Of such people in the Southern States
would form q very narrow foundation for a
Republican Government. North Carolina
and tennessee may contain enough such.
President Johuson intends to try the ex-
pertinent in those States, but | fear he will
find the spirit of Rebellion too deep rooted
in those who have taken the oath to make
them good citizens. How is it when you
come to South Carolina and Mississippi? 1t
Is said, establish in these military Govern
ment. Well for time, that may do, but
it is expensive and contrary to the spirit Of
our institutions. five can put negro regi-
ments there and give them bayonets, why
can't We give them votes? But are weapons
of effense and defense. Votes are cheaper
and better. Both are part Of the military
necessity put upon us by the Rebellion
Both are unpleasant to the Rebels but
medicines are not usually savory. con-
clude, therefore, on this subject Of negroe
voting, that In all States who can claim
their full rights under the Constitution, it is
a question for the States, and that in
revolted States IL is question ofpolicy
and military government, t. lie deci-
ded by the national authorities until the
State isfully restored to its former condition.
In seme Of the Southern States l would
leave them under military rule until they
provide ths only sure security for the future
that the negroes should have their share in
reconstruction, as they have borne their
share in fighting. Negro voting may not
suit our natural prejudces of caste They
may be ignorant, dOoils, easily led, and not
safely trusted with political power; but if
you admit all this, they have been true and
faithful smeng the faithless., they have
Joined in putting down the Rebellion; and
now to place them at the mercy of those
they have helped us to subdue-to deny
them all political rights-to give them free
dom, but leave them entirely subject to- laws
framed by Rebel mat r,-is an act of in
justice against which humanity revots-
Suppose you deny them suffrage. what
then? The Southern States gain by the free
dom OF their slaves fourteen new members
of Congress and as many electoral votes.-
Not three fiIths are counted. II you give
the Same men who revoted this increased
political power, what safety have you? Sup
pose ten years ago they had this additional
power, Kansas would have been a slave
State this day, and they would have had
ample political power to subvert your
Government without resort to arms We
must have security for the future. All the
evils that perceive may arise from mixed
voting population, are Insignificant, com
pared with the only two aternatives-the
restoring to Rebels vast political power ,and
the danger and vast expease of military