The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-23
ge,er.I ~ AZ OberIin.

6
a full report of the meeting at
Oberlin on Moncsy unfortunately met
with such arrangement as to leave us with
q brief special dispatch. We copy
from the Ohio State Journal that portion
the speech of General Cox which relates
TO the subject of Negro suffrage:
As regards suffrage, we differ in these
principles-the difference is q difference OF
fact 1 thought thSt l wss advanced IN
thought, but l find others beyond me here.
On the question of suffrage, 80 vexed In
its complications, we accord rights to per-
sons, but al the time we differ. We do
not give our women the right Of suffrage
the denial of this right is not slAvery-is
not ,LurdensoDe, becsuse circumstances
smeliorste. We perhaps agree on the
fundamental right, but differ as to mode.
1.-THE greatest good for the greatest num-
berD has long been q principle In this
school. We say that q minor shall not
yote-because it is a question of policy.
So 1 look now at this question Of suffrage
1t Is not aquestion Of fundamental right
for all agree as to that, but it is as to how
Wa shall bring it about. L doubt whether
Wa can trust those who have been against
us in rebellion. They tell US that they
consider themselves conquered, but wheth-
er they can be trusted is TO be tried. Mixed
up with all the combinations comes the in
curry, shall we give these and extend TO all
the right of suffrsge2 In principle L am
inclined TO give it TO ALTO Chinese-to
all coming from abroad, but when l look
at their idolatries and peculiarit1es, 1t IS
wise to ask whether VI shall not conhne
this principle of democracy. In some ma
tons of Europe republican institutions
cannot exist, because the people are not
prepared.
Il has been found necessary in New
York CITY to withdraw the privilege OF
self eovernment, in part because the PEG.
nle could not be trusted. So if this is an
example 1 would limit this right Of the
people. I have said that among the whites
and negroes of the South, as they are sit
mated there, not elsewhere-I am psrticu-
lar about this, because 1 have been misrep'
resented in this Observation-Disclosures those
classes there 1 say there is an s~ntagonismi
and nv decision comes from actual obser-
vstion. 1 speak from what I saw others
.--e seen differently. l believe
haVe laiQ aaida R~arannal r-ejudToos. nen
an Oberlin student / recognized the 1ull
right of manhood in the colored men OIL
my class. The colored people themselves
say that they would rather live apart than
with those who had been their Oppressors
1 am proud that l am an Oberlin student
1 come here, where has been proclaimed
the most radical professionalism, as 9 protest
ant. If I am honest l have this right to
protest, as it we're, against the very essence
of Professionalism, and stamp, if l SO think,
lis falsiEy. Applause
Speaking of reconstruction, he said, some
would reOrgsnize as Trey are the rebel
States; some would d~isfranchise the rebel
element entirely; some would reduce the
representation. The Union party has been
abused because it did not at once declare
on this question. I believe them right in
doing as they did. There may be this in
tolerance that recognizes 8 purpose to do
right. Ny thinking upon this subject has
contributed to make me more uncertain IS
to what is right, and to convince me that
MI. Lincoln wss wise when he waited for
the logic of events" / believe that the
convention of these States will themselves
indicate our course OF action. When they
act we shall know what is required.
Speaking of himself, the General said: I
do not boast. During the entire war 1
considered that my lite was not my own.
I was earnest then, and am earnest now;
and 1 misjudge you if this people will re-
fuse to accord to me the admission that /
am candid. IApplsuse.] You may think
differently from me, and this may separate
US; but Think not.
propose not to discuss in general these
questions. If we divide We are conquered.
1t is needless to tell you that there is 8
strong party in our midst that Is disloysl
and has been able to contest with US for
power. Rebels say that had this party
stood firm, slavery would have been ex-
tended without wal. Che General here
read an article from the New York Nel0s
admitting this.l This organization still
remains powerful, and shall we, by divis-
ion allow them to control, or shall we not
stand united aud triumph 1 have said
much more thar / intenoed, and in closing
thank you for your attention.
THE GENERAL Is QUESTIONED ON THE SUI
A QUEsTloE.
The General took his seat in the midst
of q storm of applause, which had scarce
ly quieted down when Mr.. Hale, a negro,
raised in his seat and asked permission to
AK Gen. Cox 8 question. Permission was
granted, and he proceeded. I want to ask
Mr.. Cox if he is elected Governor Of Ohio,
he will be in favor of bestowing upon the
colored men of this State-saying nothing
about what he would do for those in the
South-the right of suffrage
General Cox replied that he had stated
hfs " plan and his own mode of solving
the difficulty. He believed the question
must be decided for the black mel as 8
unit, and that the duty of the colored man
here was to connect his destiny with those
of the South. That if the question had TO
be determined by each State for itself, and
the Nerth for itself, his determination
would be here for the full application of
the rights of man which he had described.
The reply was received with enthusiastic
applause, and with some announcements
the meeting adjourned.
BREAKING UP.
As the General moved toward the door
old friends pressed around him, and warm
greetings were exchanged. The colored
men pressed for ward eagerly, and as they
shook bis hand were earnest in their con-
pratulstions. General Cox came TO Ober-
lin under very peculiar and to him very
embarrassing circumstances. His earnest.
ness, his frankness, and the deep feeling
manifested by him in his references, SEEM
cd to effect in 8 corresponding manner his
audience, and all were fsvorably impressed.
There was no lodging of questions, but
s~qusrelS face to face every issue was met,
and no difference OF opinion concealed. We
are sure that members OF the Union party
will all say with the Generals friends here,
at is well that he came to Oberlin."
-
An Extraordinary Story.
-. ou.uu - w. H-se r-rpSe FaIIg