The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1866-04-12

n Of the United States and members 0
. Congress. think a white citizen 0
u Ohio IL M good as white citizen o
b. Mississippi or any other State, and
shall insist upon his vote having Al
o much power in the national govern
Q mcnt, notwithstanding my Democrat
I ic colleagucs-Mcssrs. Finck and LC
Q Blond-judging from their votes, still
! cling to their old party doctrine, tina
: one Southern man is as good as two
of their constituents. But, sir, il
they will put that issue fairly before
thoir constituents, | think they viii
hardly find them consentipg to tina
doctrine.
The provision Of the constitution
which gave the slave States roprescn
tation for three fifths of their slaves
was a concession to tho slave aristoc
racy against the people of the fre,
States. II was, in fact, a representa-.
tion of property, and had no NOR,
foundation in justice than TO give re.
presentation for horses and cattle
Now that slavery is abolished, that
provision of the constitution ought to
fall with it.
My own opinion is, that representa-
ton should be founded solely upon
voters. II is the only principle which
will place all voters upon an equality.
II is mistake to say that a voter re-
presents anybody but himself He
may or may not agree in political SEN
timents with females or others whom
he is supposed to represent, but he
only represents himself in the ropub.
liean sense Of representation. !
know of several instances whore hus-
bands were bitter copperheads, and
their voices were devoted and active
supporters of the Union use. Did
these husbands represent their wives
when the voted for Vallandigham for
Governor Of Ohio? am willing to
let the noble and patriotic wives ans
wer the question for themselves.
| am non the less favorable to this
basis of representation, because | un-
lorstand 1t to be favored by the Pres
dent; on the contrary, that is to my
mind and additional reason why we
should give it favorable considcra.
ion.
Looking at all sides Of this ques-
ion, Mr. Speaker, my mind is forced
o the conclusion that the especial
riends of negro suffrage over csti-
nate the importance of the influence
which it will have for the welfare of
The colored people themselves, and
the influence it will have on tho ma
tional government. doubt very
much whether it would prove bonof-
cial to either. But my time will not
permit me to discuss this question fur
thcr. / wish to say, however, Mr..
Speaker, that ! am not welded to any
particular theory but will support
my practical measure which will ac.
,omplish tho objects have indicated.
am very anxious that measures shall
'c divised which will satisfy the pco.
Nc both North aud South, so that
hey may again meet together in cor
ial friendship, and on terms of per.
cct equality aud with mutual respect.
1t is perfectly idle to think that n
mere fraction Of tho people Of any of
hesc States can control the State 30.
ernmcnt for any great length of
ime, nor do | think they ought to do
if they could. 1t is contrary to
he fundamental principles of rcpub-
lean government. II may answer for
time as temporary necessity, but
cannot endure long. | advocate
he recognition Of the present gov
of Tennessee, because |
hink it due to the loyal people who
,rmed aud control it, and because |
hink it will prove beneficial to all
hc people Of Tennessee, and is de-
landed by the loyal sentiment of the
ountry, and for other reasons which
have stated.
But, sir, hope before Congress
djourns, measures will be adopted by
congress and by the people which
'ill justify q general amnesty to all
he people of the South, excepting
lways such men as are responsible
or the starving and numbering of our
oldiors when prisoners of war, and
uch men as We're guilty of other cru.
lilies to our soldies, in violation Of
he rules of civilized warfare. Such |
ends in human form are unfit to
reothc the air of this world.