The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1866-01-27
EMPORIA, KANSAS. SATURDAY. JANUARY D. 1856 =.

1
reason hezwas In fayorof extendinesuffrass
to the black man ia the South, ahd;not Ia
Kansas was becauseithe plantation blacks
were so much better qualified than our own.
| Laughter That closed the conversation.
II you meet the questions at al, meet it
boldly, squarsly and ahonoFablYgoI If The
Constitution gives to Congress the right to
| fix the status of suEfFage in Louisianacand
South Carolina. it gives it the same right
/ in Ksnsas add Connectieuts Wisconsin and
Illinois, and Penney lyania. would like
| to Sec Republioan Congress extending the
riglt 8 sslErags 10 the black man SSsnns
tsylyania, orsin any of the other fsodhern
States 1t would be wise political action,
void it not /? Absurd ! Leave that ques-
ton where the Constitution left it, with The
different State governments. ..r5r.s
But let me say to you that am willing
to aid in furnishing panacea for all that
1t is this: an amendment to the Constitu-
ton of the United States making suffrage
the basis of representation in Congress.
Cheers. s w sa7 ri. y
We don't say to the States you shall tx-.
tend suffrage 10 this people who have suf-
fered so much and acted SO nobly, but we
offer them indueement that will carry them
in that direction at the earliest moment.
Therefore, in my judgment, the Union
men of Kansas, as a matter of judgment to
the colored man, aud as matter of policy,
can sustain the amen dment making suffrage
the basis of representation.
But" says another man, "there is no
hindrance to ext nding the right of suffrage
to the black man in the District of Colum-
bia; there is no State Government to be
tramplsd under foot there 1 admit that,
and therefore when l, as your representa-
tive, come to vote on the question, shall
forget that there is either a white or black
man in the District of Columbia, but will
vote for extending the right of suffrage to
all men over twenty one years of age who
are qualified to exercise that great privilege
Applause.
Now, fellow citizens, have discharged
my duty TO you, my constituents. In my
feeble way l have presented these questions.
They are as important to you as to me.
Shall we restore this Union, guarding Con
gress against the entrance of disloyal men?
Shall we restore this Union by giving full
national protection to the freedmen from
whom we have just stricken the shackles of
slavery? Shall we restore this Uniou upon
basis that will eventually guarantee to
the colored man the right of suffrage
throughout the land by the time he is quail.
fled to exercise chat right Shall We re-.
store this Union by Offering inducements to
the late rebsllious Safes to extend the right
of suffrage to all who are qualified to exer-
else it? Or will you insist on destroying
that great party which has saved the only
Republic on eaTth That party which has
snbdued the most gigantic rebellion ever
organized on earth Will you destroy that
party which has furnished million, aye,
two million men, to fight the battles of the
Union, and which has offered up three hun
dred thousand of its members as sacrifice
for the everlasting perpetuity Of the Union?
Will you destroy that great party by in.
sisting on thing which the Constitution
of the count: y will not permit you to carry
out? By insisting on a thing which at
best would be unfortunate for the very race
and people you are trying to benefit? I
believe, as believe 10 God, if Congress,
in violation Of State rights, would attempt
to extend the right of suffrage to the black
man, it would be misfortune. But offer
an inducement-let each State speak for it
self, Of It's own accord, according to its in
terest, and instead of the right of suffrage
being subject of dissenlion and bloodshed
between the races, is would be blessing
to both.
Thanking you. fellow citizens for your
kindness and attention, bid you one and
all good night. Long and continued ap-
pause. - -5ra -.s.