American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-03-21
Bl5TIER BITIER COUNTY PA WEDNESDAY, MARCH o. 1866 y

REAG -A-RKS OF h
HON. R. A. BROWNE.
On The preamble and resolutions oppro
ring he action of our Representatives
gf in Congress on the en- ehfroachisen,eht Of
! the coiored people of the District Of
Columbia. .ea 80 sasi %
Ma. BRowNE. Mr.. Speaker, ii is not
from any personal inclination that | rise
to speak on this question; but because
I feel that l cannot avoid the response
biiity. ess8 s.sssssAss - 9R& IS
The proposition before the Senate is 70
sustain the action of our representatives
in Congress extending suffrage to the
cclored population of the District Of Col
umbia
That action heartily endorse Our
Representatives have been chosen tc their
high Offices because they are supposed to
have the wisdom adequate to decide this
and other important questions. 1t is to
be presumed they are better acquainted
with the situation ana its duties than
those who are distant from the scene OF
action; and when they have taken the
position in question, with the response
bility it involves, they should not be left
to bear the assault of partisan opposition
alone. | am willing to coucede they have
acted wisely and we'll and, if support
is needed for that action, it shal, not be
wanting, 50 far az | am concerned. This
action is only one circumstance in long
series l. but one event in long contin
ued struggle We have had four years
OF bloodshed, but the battle autedates
those four years. and outliyes the clash
of arms 1t began before many OF US
can remember; and it continues until to
day. 1t is that of which has been said,
HFreedom's battle, once begun.
Bequeathed from bleetting sire TO son,
Though balied of, at Idf is psn..
1t is the battle OF freedom against sla =
very, of right against wrong, Of human
ity against savagery, of Christianity
against dcvilism In the nature Of God,
aud in accordance with the principles of
His providence, it is destined to succeed.
| feel thankful that by my sympathies
and convictions, | stand upon the side
that has won thus far, and is destined to
win until the 6nal victory is gained.
AS we look out now upon the field
where this long battle has been waged
with varying fortunes, We suddenly see
a skirmish line thrown out. 1t is follow
ed by line of battle. A dash is made.
\ new position Is won. We hear the
hurrah that goes up. tits from our men.
We see the flag that is planted upon the
height. 1t is the glorious stripes anu
stars. Our representatives are that bat
tie line, aud the advanced position gained
Is the impartial suffrage in the District
OF Columbia. Now where are the re-
serves. Let them be ordered up. They
shall not be wanting, nor shall the hard
fought field be surrendered, nor our liues
he forced To retire with loss, so far as ac-
tlou OF mind can avail to the contrary.
Two days discussion in this Senate
Chamber of this question of colored sui-
fragc has developed that the opposing
party rely upon the same Argument against
he recognition OF the right oi suffrage
10 the black rac4 as those they have here
tofore urged against their emancipation
from slavery 1t is substantially an ar
gunent to the ignorance aud pref udice
ol tho lowest classes Of the people. IL
is wild appeal to the passions or negro
fear aud negro hate. 1t has not avaieo
the past 1t has been the chic.
weapon Of a party that have been SO re
peatedly and slgnsIly defeated in the use
OF it heretofore that it might be suppos-
ed they would have abandoned it long
ago. But The debate here has shown that
,t Is the main dependence still OF the par
y that STANDS opposed to progress, aud
Is 70 be used III the discussion of the
quest oD Of the rights OF man independ-
eut OF color aud race whatever phases
tue discussion may assume. Happily the
public miud has become, in some meas
ure, 50 accustomed to these frantic efforts
TO excite our alarm by holding up before
our eyes the phantom of negro social
equality, aud their object is SO well un-
deistood to be to secure power for the
party that opponed emancipation and
thwarted the government in its efforts to
put down rebellion, that the thing has
hist large measur.. OF whatever terrors
ii once hae. a
Among the terrible consequences
charged upen the proposed measure Of
.euirauchislug the black man of the Dis
trtct of Cola alba with the right of suf-