Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-23
aAiaFellane0ns.
SENATOR SHERMAN ON sUFFRA
Important speech in favor of Negro suf-
frage.

From a speech by Senator Sherman Of
Ohio, delivered at Circleyille, 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
70 another. We proclaimed il by the proc
lamation of Mr. Lincoln Congress twice
ratified this proclamation, and the people In
two annual elections haze ratified it. These
slaves have won their freedom by their de-
votion 10 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 tier part.
Without them, and without their presence
as a weakness to the enemy, We might not
have. succeeded By their ample faith in
us, following our feet and our armies, they
have earned their freedom: The enemy
know and confess that an inevitable incident
of their overthrow is the freedom OF the
slave. therefore conclude that we must
secure them their freedom beyond all doubt
or peradventure, and maintain 1t against eSs-
cry danger in any form of reconstruction
that may be adopted.
WHO SHALL VOTE IN THE SOUTH.
VIII YOU in addition, authorize them to
vote? VIII you invest them with all the
rights and incidents Of citizenship? Have
YOU the power to do il under the Constitu-
ton of the United States? 1t is perfectly
clear that. unless the powers of the Rebel
States are changed or affected by the Rebel
lion. Congress cannot fix the qualification Of
a voter within a State The Constitution
provides but for three elections; of President
of Senators and of Representatives The
President is chosen by electors appointed in
such manner as the Legislature of the State
may elect Senators are chosen by the Le
gislatnres 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 who
should vote. The only limitation upon this
ment to maintain in each State Republic
can form Of Government. But again the
question reours, is not all this changed in a
State where the voters have voluntarily re-
nounced their allegiance to the General Gov
ernment2 Can such a State rehounce alb
its duties, and yet insist upon its right? 1t
Il generally admitted, and it is certainly'very
clear. that the United States may punish a
traitor by depriying him Of his life, bis
property. and his franchise lf one why
not all who are equally guilty? II the en-
tire voting population have openly reyolted
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 counterteiter OF
our coin with disfranchisement, and yet not
50 punish traiter2 III one, why not all Z
But it is said that the loyal people are left
| who can vote. 1t is sad fact, but very
true one, that the number Of such people in
/ the Southern States would form Il very mar
row foundation for Republican Govern
ment North Carolina and Tennessee may
contain enough such President johnson
| Intends to tgy the experiment ID those states.
buf | fear he W. find the spirit of' RebelI-
! ion zoo deep rooted in those who have taken