Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-10-04
0bllol Statssrl1o!a5tnl|,, TAM,
IL y .--- Z t-- Li.n-- I'D -.,-n-n
ExTRAcTRROM THE SPEECH
HON. VIM. A. RICHARDSON,
delivered before a Democra tic Com
ventiOn at G Olumbus, Illinois,
upon taking the Chair as
President Thereof. 9a 1s'

issue we shall cooperate with majority of
the soldiers and large portion OF the Re-
publicans. The Republicans are divided to
some extent, upon this. We lose Ben Wood,
of New York, and it may be a few others
of the same sort. The rest of the DEM
ocrats are united against negro voting. We
are opposed to their voting because we do
not think libertyor Government itself safe
in their hands. The great fact stands out
broad, distinct and undeniable, that, from
the foundation of the world, the negro race
have never established single civil Gov
ernment, nor of themselves attained civ
ilization. The negro race have nowhere
been admitted to participate in Govern
ments, that they have not tprecipitated them
into revolution and anarchy. This we re-
gard as reason sufficient why we should not
desire them to participate in and exercise
the elective franchise here. But it is some
times 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 Gov
ernment, advanced, improved, progressed;
made the plow, the loom, the ship, the rail-
road, the telegraph, the watch, the COM
pass, the printing press. The negro race
never organized civil Government; they
have made instruments to kill each other;
in other respects, as they were created in
their own land, so they remain to this day.
The advantage that the white raceAenjoys
above the black race was givenby Almigh-
ty God. Infidelity may seek to undo what
he has done, but 1t will fail.
But there are other considerations, some
of which will state. The Republicans in
Congress, under the lead of Sumner, OF
Massachusetts,, passed law for the benefit
of the freedmen, by which officers are ap-
pointed over the land to take care of the ne
groes, to feed and clothe them and see they
are not cheated. Courts are established to
try cases in which they are parties. The
Republicans say you cannot trust the ne
gro to make a contract for one dollar, to
hire himself to work for a day, and they
pass law that appoints hundreds of offi-
GERS, at vast expense, to see that they are
cared for and not cheated. But they say
the elective franchise, the highest privilege,
the most important and responsible, trust.
must be given to them. The negro cannot
be trusted to take care of himself; but he
can manage the State, and the country is
not safe unless he does manage it. One
great and prominent fact stands out in bolt
relief; fact so prominent that it shoulC
fact Is, that we had grown, before this war,
to be the most prosperous, the most happy
and contented people on the face of the
earth, without the aid of Negro Suffrage; and
| it is fair to presume that the negro is moi
| Therefore necessary element inOur system
| of free government, In order to the attain
| ment of the most important ends OF govern
ment. am content to state the case.
will do no more.
But it is said the negro has fought to put
| down the rebellion, and should, therefore
vote, and that he is loyal. Many, very
many, of the white troops, who bore the
flag as bravely in the storm of battle as any
men could are not twenty-one years old
and they cannot vote. Many who stood
beneath its folds on many field are not
why should this important right be con-
ferred upon the negro and not upon the
minor and foreigner? ~"
Again, what right has Massachusetts tc
interfere in regard to who shall or who
shall not vote in Illinois or Missouri b
| What right has Illinois or Missouri to. in
terfere in Tennessee or Kentucky? Ifthey
are States in the Union, each State for it.
self has the sole right to decide who shall
and who shall not vote. i. -.
One other point. In all Governments
all ought to contribute their just share t.
support that Government. In this country
there should be no privileged classes. Prop
erty of all kinds contributes to support th'
Government,eXceptth the Governmentbohds
held chiefly by the rich. We are for max
ing them contribute their share. and AZ
more, to pay the expenses of the Govern
ment and the interest on the public debt.
But it is said there Is an agreement tina
the bonds issued shall not be taxed, a sol
emn covenant that this thing shall no
be done. The, Constitution of the Unitet
States was, and is, an agreement to form tn
Union, fundamental law, and the one Law
that is inviolable; yet these people VIII
made this bond contract said necessity CAV
them power to disregard that sacred instru
ment. There is now an overriding heces
sity that we should tax these bonds W
want the money and must have it. But.
deny the power of one Congress, by an,
assumption it may make, to limit the powe
of subsequent Congress In reference Il
taxation. The only limitation there is up
on Congress is the Federal Constitution
A Congress two or four years hence cal
any prior Congress, and all limitation
sought to be imposed by the last Congress
are no more binding than last years al
manac. But it is said that, we should no
tax these bonds because they are in tn,
hands Of the widows and orphans Of tn
soldiers. The widows and orphans VIII
I'hoId these bonds are the first second, thirt
and fourth national banks. Il suppose, ,ac
cording to this logic, am widow and or
phan too, for it SO happens that haveafep
of these bonds. My friend Belmont ant
Others of New York, Astor and Vanderbilt
Sprague OF Rhode Island, Cass and Chan
dier of Michigan, the Rothschilds, BARN,
q Brothers OF Europe; the wealthy mel
here and in Europe own them. These ar
the (lisconsolate and friendless widows an,
sorphans who should be LETT free from assist
ing to support the Government which pro
1fSs Feliow @ citizens, / feel full of hope for tn
future. Passion Is subsiding, 2, reason will
resume her sway; and in the contest her
for civil liberty, for rights dear to freemer
in contest to perpethate our free institti
tions, we must triumph. The Constitution
must be preserved, in order that we ma
perpetuate liberty in this, the last hope rfo
free government. .,L ~,
If any. nah is now for the habeds co,p,l
4 trial by jury, freedom from arrest exceT
|Hby due process of law, freedom ofispeeo
and the press; in short for civil and lrelie
ious liberty, am with him and for hin
We shall preserve them. This prieeles
legacy we must leave to our childrens w
4 cannot fail. i say to Democrats whereyt
lsmy voice can reach them, preserve YOU
organizations, be Of good cheer, the day
~ ~ R0A4 TAtSJO1