Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-08-02
Another Speech by Gov. Morton


At large Union meeting at New Albany,
Ind, on the 18th ult., Gov Morton made
another of those excellent speeches which
are so celebrated for porspicuity and force.
He reviewed the Congressional amendment
at length, and discussed the revived dis
union schemes Of the Copperheads. In the
following he shows how the party Of Val
landigham and Voorhees, have eaten their
own words:
Some three or four weeks ago, a Demo
cratic Convention was held in this city, at
which candidate for Congress was nomi
mated. speeches were made by Messrs.
Voorhees, and Mcdonald, and a series Of res
olutions adopted, the second of which de-
clares that "the war was just and necessary
to prevent the disruption Of the Union, and
the overthrow of the Constitution" and
serving the nation.
Sixteen months after the war was over,
the men com mposing the Convention discover
ed, for the first time, that the war was 'just
and necessary" on our part-a truth which
had been arrived at by the great body Of
the people of the United States more than
five years before.
This resolution is complete and unre-
served confession Of the disloyal and the
reasonable course pursued by the so-called
Democratic party throughout the War, and
q full admission that their principles and
practices we're hostile to the Union.
The whole country will regard it as dying
repentance, forced from convicted crimi-
nal who is standing in full view of the scaf-
fold, but will regard it as confession spring
ing not from penitence Of heart, but from
hopes of pardon and renewed life. The
men making this confession ask the country
to receive it as an evidence that they have
from the first been in favor Of the war, and
demand that they shall be received as good
Union men, who have protected and pre-
served their country, and not as friends,
aiders and abettors of rebellion.
If ''the war was just and necessary" why
did the Democracy of Washington County,
in meeting held at Salem, in February,
1861, resolue that if separation took place
between the North and the South, the line
of separation must run North of Washing
ton County, and that if they were compell-
ed to fight on either side they would be
found fighting in the armies of the South
If the war was 'just and necessary" on
our part, then. of course, the Rebellion was
wicked, and Rebels ought to lie punished
and excluded from Congress.
If the war was lust and necessary, why
did the "Sons Of Liberty" conspire to over
turn the State Government. release Rebel
prisoners, seize arsenals, murder the Exec
utive, and precipitate Indiana into rebel
lion2 .#
If the war was "just and necessary" why
did not these men encourage enlistments,
enter the army themselves, contribute to
the Sanitary Commission, help to support
soldiers families, and unite in all those
things which should be cheerfully perform
ed by every 10y al and patriotic citizen?
IF the war was Just and necessary why
did Democratic politicians 60 to Chicago in
the midst of the last great campaign of 1854,
in the very crisis OF the fight. and there re-
solve that the war was wicked and unconsti-
tutional on our part, that it was failure,
and we ought to lay down our arms and sue
for peace? ....
And, in short. if the war was Just and
necessary" why did Democratic politicians
refuse to proclaim the fact until l6 months
| after it was ever, and after they had done
all the harm they could, and when their ad
hesien to the Government could do no goedi
REPRESENTATIONS.
There are two kinds of representation in
! Congress The representation 0f the States
and of the people. Each State has two
representatives or Senators in the Senate,
while it is intended that the people shall be
equitably and equally Represented in the
House.
In the original formation of the Consti
tuition representatives were apportioned
among the several States by adding to the
whole number Of free persons, excluding
Indians, not taxed. threefifths Of all Other
persons"
These three-fifths of all other person,
were counted as three free persons in ma
king up the representation. This was 9
very hard provision for the people of thu
free States, but it was demanded by the
Shareholders and conceded by our fathers il
compromise, they believing that SLAYER!
was fast passing away and could not endure
q quarter of century, and it became 6nall!
an almost intolerable burden and injustice
i as it gave to the South representation o
~ States in the House of Represe ntative
and in the Electoral College for Presiden
and Vice President on account Of their pro
4 perty. irr ss 1an, n M u. l.airl......
4 According to the census of 1850, the
eleven Rebel States, not including 10 thei
number Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware
and Missouri, had white population O
5,002, ,05l, and had negro population o
3,75O,O3l. By the last apportionment
which allowed one representative for ever,
l25, 900 people, the white population o
these Rebel States would entitle them t.
AZ representatives, and the colored pepula
ton, now that Slavery is abolished. ant
each negro counts as one person, would en-
title them to 30 representatives. more, ma
king 70 in all.
By the same census, the Northwest
ern States had negro population Of 65, ,0O(
l2, 900 of whom lived in Indiana. and alto
gsther making but half enough tor one ReI
resentative. And now in these seven Rebe
States the negroes enjoy no political right
or considerations whatever. They have n
more voice in making the laws by whic
, they are governed, or in choosing thei
rulers, than the beasts of the field aud ye
: as the Constitution now stands, their lat
masters will have 30 votes in Congress an
/ in the Electoral College on their account
lust equal to the united vote Of Ohio an
Indiana. In other words, the white men Q
these Rebel States, nineteen twentietbs Q
whom are Rebels and were engaged in th
late Rebellion. can vote down Ohio and In
diana BY representing the negroes, who ar
stripped of all political rights whatever.