Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-09-24
LOCAL N Il w = .
DENIoCRATIC MEEr1NG.

tne West ErOut OF the State HOUSE
| Addresses bY Messrs. DeLany and
Martin-The Radical DisunIOn Ne.
gro Suffrage Policy Exposed, &c.,
&c.
Notwithstanding the evening of Satur-
day last was quite cool and disagreeable, q
large mass of our citizens gathered, at al
early hour at the west front of the Capitol
Hemmersbach's, band was In attendance
discoursing excellent music. The meeting
was called to order by Matthias Martin, and
4 on his motion, DIR. B. f. Berkley was ap-
pointed Chairman.
DIR. Berkeley, on assuming the duties OF
/ the chair, stated that the meeting had been
called with the expectation of hearing an
address from the Hon. Samuel s. Cox, oi
New York; but that owing to domestic
aflliction in the recent loss by death of an
older brother, Mr.. Cox had not arrived
The meeting would, therefore, be addressed
by other gentlemen. He called upon Mat
1 thias Martin, who, after few brief but
pertinent remarks, gave way, and E. T. De-
Lany was called out and spoke, interrupted
frequently by loud and hearty cheers. The
following is brief statement of some OF
the telling points made by Mr.. DeLany:
/ nr MR.. DE LANY's SPEECH. 3D..
Mr.. DeLany said that, although he was
present at the meeting for the purpose of
listening and not of speaking, he had, in
common with every citizen, formed opin-
ions regarding the questions now at issue.
Hence che call, however unexpected, could
not be embarrassing. We are not assem-
bled here Tonight as partisans topromote
private or party interests. But regardless
| of party, we meet as citizens of common
country, in whose welfare we have an equal
interest; whose future we must alike share
! for veal or for woe. Issues which hereto
fore divided us, have been finally settled by
| the tribunal of arms, and new era is dawn
ing in our political history. Incendiary
politicians would, to promote their own sell
fish purposes, keep alive and perpetuate
the rancor and prejudices of the past. But
the people have resolved to forgetand for
give; to ''let the dead past bury its dead ~
to sacrifice their prejudices on the altar of
a common country; TO rise to the level of
the emergency and sink the partisan inthe
patriot. However we may differ, all are
equally honest and patriotic in seeking to
"
We differ, because we view question from
different standponts. The miner finds the
golden ore mixed with dross and clay, and
the patient labor Of many hands Is requisite
to separate the precious from the worthless.
So truth and error are blended together
and a mutual interchange of opinion is es-
sential to eliminate the jewel of truth from
the dross of error.
The speaker then reviewed at length the
conduct of the South since the close of the
war, and dissected those measures which
the Radicals are determined to force upon
the people. Regarding the question of
negro suffrage, Mr.. DeLany said he had no
disposition to do any injustice to the hum
blest individual in the land, be he white or
black.
Non iJndrus mali naiseris succmrere disco.
He opposed negro suffrage being made a
sine qua non OF reconstruction, because that
body calling itself Congress, had no au-
thOrity to dictate any such terms. 1t is
question for the States individually, and not
for Congress. The advocates of this meas
ure seek to secure political power, and not
to promote the welfare OF the negro. A
be he ever so Intelligent must
reside FIVE years in the United States be-
fore he is entitled to vote. But four mil
lions of negroes, who have not Intelligence
enough to make contracts for their daily
labor; who, according to the Radicals, were
so brutalized by slavery that they were
men only in name-these negroes, torsooth,
are entitled and qualified to exercise con-
trolling influence in the destinies of this |
Republic! To place the ballot in the hands |
nf the negro would be a measure prejudi- |
,ial to the welfare of that race and lraught |
with danger to the Republic.
The true strength and perpetuity of a
Government must depend not.upon force,
)ut on the affections of the people. The
Radical policy, if carried out, would hang |
he people of the South and cOnfiscate their
ands. Can such policy restore fraternal
ceiling? England lost the brightest gem;
n her crown by pursuing similar policy |
oward the thirteen original colonies. She
lenied the people the rights and privileges
# Englishmen (; LeUied and collected tdnes
Ctttout dltototng them representation. Kind
less, justice would have won their hearts
md secured her dominion; but injustice
md tyranny had their natural effect and
,Oaded the people into rebellion. Ireland
O-day is thorn In the side of England.
Nhe possession of that country is source
f positive weakness to her. And why?1
because she has from the beginning sought
0 exterminate the people and cOhfiscate
heir lands. Such policy has placed that
sland In chronic state of rebellion; as
Don as the grasp of the tyrant is loosened
rom the throat of the victim, the oppress-
d and outraged people rush to arms, seek
ng vengeance for the past as well as free
ON in the future. l trust no one desires
uch state of affairs to be inaugurated in
he South. Let us not, by following the
sadical policy, ALLEVIATE the people from
s forever. We are one people; we cannot
lake a Poland of the South without having
Russia at the North. Let us not make
ur flag an emblem of oppressiOn-the
tars for the North and The STRIPES for The
'outh. Rather let us follow the dictates of
Experience, of humanity, of wisdom. Let
s be as magnanimous as we are powerful,
nd ask such conditions Of them as Ameri-
ans might ask, and as Americans might
eceive. We have shown to the world that
We have the power to destroy let us also
how to the world that we have the wisdom
} restore. Then we shall once more be a
nited, happy people, with one destiny,
nd on our flag "not stripe erased or a
TAR obscured." ~
The cheers and shouts of applause which l.
ad greeted Mr.. DeLany during the deliv-
~ of his speech were renewed at its close.
Lr. Martin was then recalled, and greeted
-ith enthusiastic cheering. We can only
resent from memory-for it was no place
take notes-a brief reference TO some-ofI
le statements made, and arguments adj
aneed by Mr.. Martin, which. as he gave
lem utterance, reused anew the enthusi-
I'm of the audience.