Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-01-19

ulTecC issue maze IN NlrRlnla IN loDl, JneTe |
was an overwhelming majority against ",
and fair vote In the other States would
have exhibited clear majnrfties against SCI
cession, unless we should except South
Carolina. And ask wouldit not be mon
streus for this Goynernmet, which failed to
protect the great masses OF the people OF
the Southern States from the usurpation Of
those who conspired to break up the Union,
now to punish this same people with the
most severe and grave penalties, namely,
the forfeiture OF high political rights, be-
cause they submitted TO the usurped power
which they were unable to resistg '' --,.ti
Sir, the great principle of Justice, as ap-
piled by the common sanction Of the civil
lied world Is, that principle already named.
that allegiance and protection are recipro-
cal duties, and the Government which has
failed to protect any portion Of its citizens
from the usurpatiol Of any other power,
foreign or Internal, cannot, when such pow
er has been oVerthrown, punish the unfOr-
tunate people who for the time being were
subjected to such usuTped power for yield
ing 1t obedience. This doctrine is well set
tied In England, and clearly laid down by
many of her eminent law writers. And
has also been solemnly recognized and ap-
piled by the Supreme Court of the United
States in the case OF the. United States v,
Rice, in Wheaton's Reports, page 246.
Why longer delay the admission of the
Representatives from these States? Will 1t
make their people better citizens. and in
spire them with more love and devotion to
the Government? Every man who under
stands human nature must know that such
course is only calculated to harass and an
noy this people, and divert the public mind
from the con sideration of other questions Of
great interest," to the country. Why refer
this question to joint committee of the
Senate and House, when the Constitution
provides that each House shall be the judge
of the elections, returns, and qualifications
of its own members? Why this attempt
to stifle all debate on a question OF so much
importance to the States and to the entire
Union? ..,
know gentlemen dislike to give up pow
er, and are alarmed at the idea that power
may indeed pass from their hands. They
may indeed for while annoy and interfere
with the President in his patriotic efforts to
unite and harmonize the whole country,
North and South; but gentlemen are mis-
taken if they believe they can defeat the
purposes of the Executive. ... j.. ..,r
Sir, the people will canvass this great
question, and will inquire why it is that
eleven States of this Union are unrepre-
sented here; and sooner or later public
opinion, which will sweep everything be-
fore it, will demand that these States shall
be represented. The people, sir, will sus-
tain the President in every honest and pat
riotic refiOrt to discharge the grave and
responsible duties which have deYolved up
on him; and gentlemen cannot long evade
the issue which has been so frankly and
distinctly made by the honorable gentle
man from Pennsylvania with the policy of
the Chief Executive. .. -.t
But, sir, much of this attempt to disfran-
chise the white men Of eleven States unless
they consent to give the ballot to the ne
gro (and l say it without intending the
least disrespect to the able and distinguished
| delegation from that section), comes from
New England, and tlnds a jealous and able
advocate in the gentleman from Pennsyl-
vania. .,..t.,., -.. adf d., .-.rr. sr..-.'t,s
New England fears that, unless her policy
is adopted, her power to control this nation
will be lost forever, and knows that if it is
sanctioned and adopted by the American
people, she may rule this nation for gem
erations to come. .......,e f.... .....--
Sir, there is much in the history OF New
| England which | admire; she has produced
many great and noble sons; but there Is
also much in her history which we have to
deplOre-much in her intermeddling, mar
row, uneasy, and aggressive spirit that is at
war with the true interests OF the American
people. She will not be satisfied unless she
can rule and eOntr0l,the policy of this Gov
ernment If New England, and New En-
gland policy, can regulate and control the
question of suffrage in these eleven States,
she believes that she may be able to control
the financial legislation Of this country,
and kindly. fix the amount of our tariffs,
and internal taxes, for the next fifty years
to come. Sir, 1t Is bold attempt and well
worth all the effort that her Summers and
Phillipses can exert to aecomplish; but it
will fail, as 1t should fail, tor if it could
succeed, the great principles of our system
of government would be overthrown. IL
is an attempt to disfranchise our own race
and kindred, and transfer their political
power into the hands of another race. Can
it be possible that the prejudices, passions,
and supposed interests of one portion of
the white men of this Union, shall lead
them so far as to attempt to strip their own
race of political rights, in order to confer
them upon the negro? .".. "
Sir, let us endeavor to be equal to the
great work before us. Instead of post
poning the admission of the members from
these States now asking admission, let us
generously welcome their return to rep
resentation in this common sisterhood of
States, aud in place of attempting to con-
fer on the negro the right of suffrage let us
exert ourselves industriously TO heal uI. Ian
past differences, and labor to ascertain how
we may best curtail the enormous expendi-
tures of the Government, and reduce the
heavy burdens of taxation, which now
press upon the people. Let us lecur back
to those wise and pure lessops Of patriotism
and duty taught US by Jefferson lin his
first Inaugural, when he declared che prin-
ciples which he deemed essential to the
Government: noun
Equal and exact justice to al men Of whatever
State persuasion, religious or political; pc see,
commerce, and honest friendship with all nations,
entanging alliances with none; the support Of the
State governments in all their rights as the most
competent Administrations for our domestic CON
Germs and the surest bulwarzs against antifepnbli
can tendencies tho preservation of the General
Government in its whole Constitutional vig0r is the
| sheet-anchor of our feace, az nome aud safety
abroad jealous care Of the right of election BY the
people, mild aud safe corrective Of abuses which
are Topped by the sword Of revolution whore peacea
BILE remedies are unproyided; absolute aqquiescence
in the decisions of the majority the vital principle
| ofrepublics from which thefeis no. appeal brit to
fOrce the vital principle and tho immediate pa tent
of despOtism; well disciplined militia our best 70:
lance in peace, aud for the hrst moments Of war till
regulars may relieve them the supremaey of the
civil over the military authority economy in the
public expense, thatlabor may be lightly bnrdened;
yation Of tho public faith; encouragement Of agrf
culture and OF commerce as its handmade, the dffu
sion Of Information and arfaingment of alliabuses
at the bar Of public reason freedom Of religion; FREQ
dom Of the press. and freedom of person under the
protection OF the hbeds corpa and trial BY jdries
f,nnaf ffihIIv aefected y. f snOl1uIOsJT si3it 10
81 ifthese wise principles shall gdldeus we
may look with confidence for favorable
solution Of all the questions submitted to