The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-06-05
WO0DsFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO. JUNE s. 1865

or white man--shall be
held to answer for an infamous crime ex-
cept upon an indictment, and that every
person so held shall be tried by jury,
openly and speedily, be confronted with
the witnesses against him, have the bene-
ft of counsel, and have compulsory pro-
cess to bring his witnesses into court
Yet this bill, avowedly for the benefit of
freedmen, proposes to deprive them of
these benefcent provisions, WHICH they
now enjoy, and to make it the duty of the
President in every case to, substitute the
short, sharp process of court-martial
where there is no indictment no jury, and
where counsel and witnesses for. the de-
tense are tolerated only by the grace and
fayer of the court.
Can any man believe this law was in
tended to be of service to the negro, or to
ameliorate his condition, or to protect
him from injurfous discrimination, or to
accustom him to the equal rights Of citi-
zens? No,sir. 1t was intended to invade
the domain of the States, in the punish
ment of crimes purely of State cogni
zance. 1t was intended wrongsully to
break down State laws, and to substitute
for them Federal laws, and thus to draw
within the circle of Federal military au-
thority every citizen Of the land "All
cases relating to such personsl' These
words embrace all persons of every age
and sex who may come in contact, how
ever remotely, with any negro man, wo-
man or child, in any of5the relations or
conditions, or affairs OF life. And this
bill brings them all to the feet of the
military authority as executed by the
most ignorant and degraded fellow who
can be hired as servant of the Bureau
fer $500 year cite this bill only as
an Illustration By the grace of God
and Andrew Johnson's veto, it did not
become law. No thanks to the Radi-
Gals for that blessing u
Examine the position to change the
basis of representation. The Constltu-
ton provided that population should be
entitled to representation and that each
community must decide for itself where
the political, power should reside. This
rule was proper-was the only consistent
rule where States are recognized as self
governing and sef-existing. The deter
mination who shall WELD the power of
the community is essential to the exist
enee Of free State.
This proposed amendment provides
that the basis of representation shall be
population. but that whenever the Negro
is excluded from the basis, and the num-
Der ofrepresentatives shall be according
ly diminished That is to say: The pow
er to- determine who shall be electors be-
longs undoubtedly to the States. They
may exercise it as they see fit. They
may exclude the young, the old, the poor,
the unlearned. the women they may ex-
clude every soldier who has entered the
army, if they and, if the parties
so excluded only be white, they may still
be counted in the basis of Representation
and others may elect for them But il
the; States shall presume to exclude ne.
gro from the ballot. neither he nor his
family, nor any of his race shallbe count.
ed in making up the basis of representa-
ton. Amazing love for the negro!
But this roposition presents another
alternative to the States. By counting
negroes in the basis of representation
the Southern States have sixteen mem
bers of Congress more than they other
wise would. If they will consent to give
up these sixteen members and the polit
ical power they WELD. then they may ex
clude the negro from the ballot-box fo
all time, and are quite welcome to d,
so. .4....ts ft.4s ~ .s.ss
Do I wrong these Radicals in Congress
They will not admit the Southern State
to their constitutional equality and recog
nize their right of representation, be
caue negroes are excluded from the bal
lot box Their outspoken leaders boldly
say so. And yet within tive weeks, b,
very large majorities, they have passed
bill to admit Colorado to the Union
whose people have declared in the mos
authentic and offensive form that i
their new State none but white me-
shall vote Do you remember the state
!. ment of Thaddeus Stevens, that if til
/ South should be permitted to vote, tn
/ Democratic party would again come int
power? And do you know the fact tha
the Senators from Colorado are Radical:
whose votes in the Senate it would
convenient to have in case Of anothe
, veto2 &
4 Do you believe that protection of th
, negro was the true purpose of the amend
, ment. No, sir. 1t was to cross the bouu
Diary of State authority, and to lay vic
, lent hands by Federal power on the mo-
sacred of all the guaranteed rights of II
! States. This amendment passed the ST
ting section of the House of Represer
5 tatives, and now awaits the action of II
. Senate. ~ - 9'
II Consider the Civil Rights bill. It d,
] clares that all native born persons
whatever race, color or condition, al
: citizens of the United States, and tn,
e all citizens shall enjoy equally all civ
0 rights, aud that all citizens shall be pr
t tected alike, and be punished with Il
j same measure of penalty. What do
: this mean? Suppose q State law pr
0 scribes less penalty in the case of a n
b gro than Of white man convicted
a crime against State law? Has Congre
o a right to say he shall be punished me
e severely? If Congress may abrogate Il
}, clause of the State law relating to 4
.e negro, and substitute for it Federal la
1 Il 4 alE s-L:.