The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-01-20
10 H4H4A syFfRM10UT
,,&.abinnJ. TltENk U&4
On the Bill 20 Equalixe su2rsEs In s.s
District % CelHm bia.

motion to recommlt tnis oii ~ s''O coAis.s.
on the Judiciary. do not ask action upon it
u - .n SesgSs iffTo5 hzx RIsES zsHzsS 90
The Jurisdiction of Congress over the sub
iect matter of this bill is unquestionable. 1t
is the right Of Congress
ITO exercise exclusive legislation, in all
cases whatsoever, over such district mot ex-
ceeding ten miles square, az may, BY cession
of particular States and the acceptance OF
Congress, become the seat of the Govern
ment Of the United States. r7CSnxauttop
art. I. See. 8. - Il - -
Exclusive legislation, in all cases whatso-
ever" is the language of the broad and com
prehensive grant of power upon when the
right of Congress to pass this bill resis. lhis
is too plain proposition to admit OF debate,
and leave the question of power TO give my
attention TO some other considerations con-
nected with this bill which it may not be I'M
prohtable co discnss.s eax e GNseass@@s
The Constitution not only confers the indis-
putable power TO which have referred, but it
seems also to invite the identical legislation
~bich the pending measure provides. No
where in the Constitution do we End class dis
tinctions applied TO citizens Of the United
States Its ample folds enyelop all citizens
slike.lt .a no way develops color of stssa ~.
tenure tothe- rights and privileges -of-citi-'
zenship. The citizen, be he high or low, rich
or poor, white or black, finds the Constitution
OK bis country as full of justice to him as it is
toany other. Looking into its bright face az
into mirror he sees himself reflected a cin.
zen; and of this there is never failure. This
is the browning glory of our Constitution
The whitest face can draw nothing from that
mirror but the image of citizen, and the
same return is given to the appeal of the black,
face. II ever aught else appears, be sure You
are not looking into the broad, bright surface
Of the real Constitution, for it never varies,
never lies. w
II all over this land this same grand feature
of our National Consultation had resting
place in every other Constitution and in every
law, then indeed would we be
:" A free republic, where, beneath the sway
OF mild aud equal laws, framed by themselves,
0nc people owen, and own no lord save God"
But this is not so, nor can we make it 80.
Oar powers reach not SO far as this. State
Constitutions and State laws, covered over
with the wreck of human rights block up the
way, and we may not overleap these barriers
The real Republic may be long ways off vet,
but We are approaching it, and shall, in the
course of time, realize ii in its fullness. But
however far it may be in the future. however
difficult OF approach may these State barriers
render H. We should see in them but addition.
81 incentives urging as to the performance Of
the duty which rests with US, in order that the
example of the nation may induce the States
to ard IN Fastening the Development of per-
feet Republic. - Tli
have said that the Constitution seems 10 in
vite the passage Of this bill and is this not
true? Why should the statute law, made or
tolerated by Congress for the government Of
citizens of the United States within the Dis
trict OF Columbia, establish class privileges or
distinctions on account OF color. when no such
things are found in the Constitution? Should
not the statute law for the special government
Of such citizens as reside in the capital Of the
Republic be rs just, as broad, as comprehen-
sive, AS humane AS the Constitution? Should
there not be harmony here? If the Constitu-
ton refuses TO know the color OF the citizen. 8
slNln, why should the statute law be wiser u
the former refrains from tramplins on the
great truth which glitters like a Jewel of the
hrst water m the heart Of the old declaration,
that all men are created equal" and that
"dovernments derive their just powers from
the consent OF the governed why should the
latter put It's unhaliowed foot upon this grand
central Idea OF our system, and crush 1t UNI
der the very folds of the nations flag as il
floats on the dome of the Capitol? Why
hinge the sacred right of suffrage in this Dis
trict on the word white when the Consti-
tuition discards it entirely? Let these thugs
not be- Let US heed the invitation of the
Constitution, and breathe the breath of time
republican life into the body of our laws-of
peculiar application to this District at least.
Here, at least, let our faith in the great self
evident Truth that formed the pivot upon
which the fathers turned their hopes. their en-.
ergies and their justification when battling for
thatindependencewhich proved o be rhe b rth
OF tins nation, be made manifest by works
full OF mercy and justice.
| do not claim that the right of suffrage is
natural right to which every person subject
to human government is entitled 1t is not
naturafright, for where natural rights alone
Obtain there Is no right OF suffrage But this
state OF things can only exist in the absence
OF properly adjusted civil government. The
right OF suffrage Is a political right. and is the
attendant OF civil government This, howey.
er, renders 1T no less sacred than it would be
il it were "a natural right. We always class it
among the rights. We speak of it as the
right st.<stis.Ss, and seser giye,it the more
Doubtful designation ofthe privileges fsuffrrge
Whenever aud by whomsoever II is spokeu
OF 1t Is always given the royal title of right.
1t Is not something which is given as a mat
ter OF grace to the citizen BY government
which derives it just power from the consent
OF the governed" Tor it is the medium through
winch. tlat consent is accorded e is the
check OF the citizen upon the government, and
IL would he mere mockery for the latter IN
pretend to act within the limits of the consen,
OF the former ~ tue absence vfmeaus vbere.
by such consert could be made known or
course tins consent must be made known nv
the voice OF the majority, for that is the bond
otthe governipsrt2 Established at the tocin
nlns. ms mas been consented to. But it is
not competent for the majority to deprive the
minority oi anyihmg. which Justly beleng to
Inc things properly denominated rights; aud
one OF these Is in NV judgement, the right of
suffrage. The Office Of this right under OWL
government is kindred TO thai which belong
under uatatsl law to the right of self defense.
Not That the right of selt-defense as estab.
hsuea oy natural law is supplanted BY the right
VI suhrase when civil law assumes its sway
over people, tor then both exist, the latter
beng aeunnilative right rendered pecessa Nv
by The new relations, rights, interests. nriv;.
reyes ana Obligations resulting from the ord
nationot CIVIL government. In a state Of ma.
ture man must rely upon his powers OF force
xnu fefsuasion Tor the defense of his rights.
"I.n'n l. certain limitations, he may rely on the
same means OF defense after the institution
oil civil government, and the law iustiiies g.
excuses MN according to the circumstance,
OF tue Particular cases But thousand case
ARISE IRON the action Of the government and
OF persons when some different and r,ora no.
tent engine than words and fists are renu;r e
a mAn attacked in his person Of his prnpart,
may dnse OF the aggressor by the u,e 81 mar.
urai means OF defense. This he may do In
the absence or presence of civil rovcrr.,ent
1t issMs natatal right to do 80. But q citizen
attacked IN his personal liberty or his proper.
~ by unjust laws corrupt public officers or
ignofsat and Incompetent administrators OF
the law. mllst defend hims.lf H.. - :.