Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-29
Negro Suffrage in the DistiiCt Of Columbia.
Speech Of Hon. George L0ndOn,
Delivered in the Senate of Pennsylvania,
JANUARY 81, 1866

Agrccably to order, the Senate proceeded
10 the consideration of Senate bill No. 50,
entitled Joint resolutions relative to negro
suffrage in the District of Columbia
The resolutions were again read as fol-
lows:
WaEEEAs A bill enfranchising the colored citi,
lens Of the District of Columbia lately passed
lv the lower House Of Congress, receiving the
earnest support Of our Republican members
therefore, be it
R.<5lr.a Jy the Senate and House Of Representa-.
E..> .'c., That We approve and commend the ac-
lya Vi our members III their support OF this meas
agr, and our Senators are requested and hereby
Instructed to vote for the same.
R.sy'rcd That the Governor be requested to
forward to each Of our members and Senators IN
Congress- a copy OF this preamble and resolution.
After some discussion of proposed am
eudments, the question recurred on the fl
nal adoption OF the resolutions.
Mr.. LANDON said Mr.. Speaker, not
many days since the following bill was be-
fore the lower House of Congress BE IL
WGe'ed g., That f-om all laws and parts
Of laws prescribing the qualifications OF
electors for any office in the District OF
Columbia, the word white" be and the
same Is hereby stricken out, and that from
and after the passage of this act, no per-
son shall be disqualified from voting at
any election held in said District, on ac-
count Of color"
In looking over the records of the House,
find that the bill passed by one hundred
and sixteen yeas to fifty nays, and it gave
me personally great satisfaction to find
that every Republican member from Peun-
syIvanla voted aye, with single excep-
ton, and he was absent-he was non est III
body but est III spirit, and would have vo-
TED aye had hc been present. This action,
IN my Judgment, is honorable to the men
themselves and reflects credit upon the
great Commonwealth which they represent
To meet heroicalIy the duties of the hour
and bear manfully the responsibilities of
The occasion, is the highest attainment OF
upTtIiS and ever deserves praise. Believ,
!ng this, it occurred to me that the very
syast we could consistently dO was to say
loOur Representatives in words of cheer
Well done good and faithful servants ;
}on acted right and we indorse you i'll that
act
Accordingly introduced the preamble
1ud resolution now before us.
did it not to provoke discussion, nor tC
secure to myself an opportunity to com
~and the floor, but our Republican Con
STeSs having taken a position, one too
AahIicstly III harmony with free govern
Ment and the spirit OF the age, it seemed
out reasonable that we should join them il
Nat position by cordially commencing
'Aelr act. My expectation was that the
resolution would pass without dissenting
voice, or quiyer of hesitancy on this side
,l the Senate But discussion being chal
'snged and hestancy developing itself,
IlaIi selze the present opportunity to win
Acatc the intent and purport of the resolu
lon believing it entitled to support bOtl
0y word and vote Who are we to-day
SI What are we? The Senate of Penn
>EIyania, the representatives of three mil
lions Of patriotic people We bear a hanC
"' ue great events of the age. We act Z
part In determining those policies which in
'.Fe the veal of the present and the hopes
u The future. | submit that all great ques
.'hs considered officially by men in author
|-0y law makers Legislators and repre-
>Vhlatve men, should be considered calm
y Investigated thoughtfully and passed
upon canddly
Men, sir, standing where we stand anC
>'Iing where you sit, should be Statesmen
1'' partsans, philosophers, not demago
cues, Jogicians not special pleaders, th'
'Tyants Of mankind and not the tools o
ssi'Seekers. Thoroughly, with full con
sSogsness of our responsibility, should W.
.esolYe upon living issues, involving th'
''is and sorrows of human beings
OGr'hg the past five years this country
'aS been called upon to consider and deter
,"le more vital questions than any othe
8SoPle was ever called up to consider ant
ns.trmne in the same length of time sine
""'lons had an existence on Gods earth