The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-02-22
Debate on Universal Suffrage.

According to previous announcement,
discussion was held at Smiths School
House, last Saturday evening, on the
resolution, 81 That universal suffrage
should be the law of the land"
H B. PAYNE, Esq favored the reso-
luton on the grounds that negroes
had voted in the past. Their rights had
been recognized by W ashington, Adams
and Jackson. The negro had fought
for the Union and for us It was prin-
ciple that there should be mo taxation
without representation therefore we
should give the negro representation or
not tax him As 10 qualifications, If the
heart is right, the actions will be right
Hon. john YARYAN, in the negative,
said Suffrage was granted for the well
fare of society II had been an argu-
ment against slavery that II degraded its
victims He did not now consider that
BY the emancipation edet, these degrad
ell beings had been miraculously changed
TO q degree of intelligence to be given
voice in the CONTROL of affairs. The
proposition to intrnst SO much power IN
the hands of ignorance, is the creation
OF fanatic brains. The negro had fought
for liberty There was also prejudice
between the races. that would always
last He favored giving them protect
ion.
Mr. HAYWOOD: This question should
be considered as it is presented to-day.
He looked upon traitors as having for
feited every right. Men who had sworn
to support the government, enjoyed its
benefits, &c then struck at the nation ;
life, could never be trusted again. Did
not the heroes of FtWagner have a bet
ter right than such men? To reinstate
traitors in their forfeited rights, without
the vote of the negroes as balance and
check, would return to power the Demo
cratic party, who, under the pretext OF
protection, would exile the blacks.
Mr. LUTHER MERING said:
Suffrage was political, not 4 natural right the
majority determined who should vote. He character
zed the agitation mere clap trap gotten up oF Inc
politicians, and not called for by the people
Mr. c. W. SMITH,
Considered this monentous question, and that had
ALWAYS been perpe King. Party had much to do with
it, but prejudice should deter from recognizing
the rights of the blacks. Some wished TO elevate 4
them first but give them their and they Will Gle
yate themselves. Hoped would not allow ourselves
to b. governed BY prejudice. How could we boast OF
a republic when but a portion OF people partici- .
pated, He WAS favor Of Universal suffrage on the /
broadcast ground, including Black, Indians and Won
en-.
Hon w W. FoULKB. being called on /
by the negative, said, substantially:
There were some con alterations he would not have J
his friends lose sight Of. Public sentiment was adverse
to universal suffrage, matter whether abstracty .
right II night apply IN some regions at the
in the South it would place in power men deprived OF
all intelligence AMI ignorance would rule and c"nse-
quentlv ruin Desired that education be first spread
mong them; give them time to prepare graduaiiy--
At present he ccunseled drop side and stand
by the only party that could save the nation.
Mr. JOHN L. BLISS
Must truth fail for the sake Of party? party be
corrupt when it refuses to act from principle,
md should perish. The Blacks were true to the Uni
m which Lincoln recognized saved BY their patriotism
" thout the of selt-protecton IN the ballot,
would expatriate aud the Blacks would have to
evolt-then would come that war of races, caused
" oppression. Blacks would not long remain IN lg-
lorance, shown by their progress IN the schools
The way preserve freedom is TO grant freedom
Mr.. YAKYAN having the floor second
line spoke as follows:
The affirmative did not to appreciate what
otinr is and leads We vote to express orr Wits
N subjects of interest to community. The negro hav-
ng scarcely anything at stake, would thus be permit
ed to beside questions against those effected Ills ig
lorance would make him toll for demog ogues, ana
.verv vote unintelGeutly Is curse The people
should set the standard according 10 the viii OF the
II loritv. Unless a law IN accordance with pao-
lie sentiment, it was OF no avail lie denounced INC
,ct of Congress in forcing negro suffrage upon 'ne
people of tile District OF Columbia contrary to their
iesire. 1t was duty rather th'n give an empty
right to give the negroes bread clothing DOCKS, anu
the means of acquiring liyelhooi-
Mr. w L DULIN:
The prejudice so much appealed to- arose from tool
hardness; against truth and atral oi justice
lie saw no prejudice displayed when the negro IS
wanted a substitute. He considered the ballot as
the best because they w"us nave interests
AZ stake and 10 labor for. As To the 20eOo majority
against suffrage in ID. c. the opposition should nave
al that 20 600 traitors and symPathz.r. Fot
Al ,r,inst il Traitors would protect the Blacks,
the rsfare give them the ballot tor seltprotecon-
They Joined the Union from PATRIOTISM, Tor tleF were
offered liberty and land by the rebels TO loin them
Ii ignorance be Objectionable, why did not the negative
oppose Foreigners who could not even speak IN the
language OF the land
Mr. MERING,
Remarked that very little would be gained in the
,,,x nj selfprotecon as the negroes would be infu-
,nca1 hv their oil masters. Thousands were accept
mo the offers of their former and returning to
work for them Most likely the negro would continue
10 live and breathe through his master
Mr. PAYNE:
Did not claim suffrage as natural right but what
ever right one has all have. Ii the bite mas Inc
-ipbt 10 govern himself. the black equally has In
some OF Southern districts il was difficult TO tell
where one race begins and the other ends IL was COS"
,rilv to fear great horror the blacks were
tranclisei they would be satisfied and not need TO
revolt When in slavery the power O the Norm was
,e3 10 keep them down Formerly they were protect
4 ~ nronerty but now the South had motive buf
n Cypress them. Pledged himself to stand win the
Mon party: if it decided against universal suffrage
be would acouiese, but individual ne Is Tor cai
ny no rights not granted TO all men,
The time having arrived at which the
discussion should close, it was agreed 10
the subject on next Saturday