Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-01-19

The SUFFRAGE QUESTION. - Perleyn CON
donses for us a good speech by Mr.. Grinnell, Of
Iowa. Vermonter, who abides by the Vermont
creed.
WASHINGTON, JAN, -.
Mr.. Davis. Of Syracuse, N Y made very
sensible speech in the House, to-day, in favor OF
negro suffrage in this district based on educational
qualifications.
Next came Mr.. Chanler. who represents the
Mackerelyille district Of New York, and who
made characteristic Democratic stump speech
nearly two hours in length, but sadly dehcem IN
patriotism or humanity.
Mr.. Cirianell, Of lows, next had the floor. and
made a scathing reply to Mr.. Chanler, who eyinced
no gratitude he said, TO negroes sneeringly al
lnded to as transported from the wds Of Africa,
who had for over century not only cared Tor
Themselves but carried their masters on their
backs lie would tell the gentleman from New
y ork that during a long esdence in this District
he had been importuned by hundreds OF beggars
but never by a beggar Of African descent.
Mr. Grinnell proceeded TO consider the claims
Of the colored race to suffrage, which he based
upon their intelligence morality, and patriotism.
lie referred to different official reports of their
heroism, quoting especially from Gen. Banks ac-
count Of the siege of Port Hudson. Jefferson
admitted the capacity Of the negro race, and so
DR.. Rush, but that was in the era Of l7s9-the
era Of Jay, and OF Franklin, and Of Withcrspoon.
How different from the era Of 1866, when New
York aud Pennsylvania and New Jersey are rep
resented by such men as Chanler, and Boyer, and
Rogers MIR. Grnnell said his State Of Iowa had
$50 negroes subject to military duty, and 100 OF
them enlisted in the Union armies. Can history
furnish parallel where so large proportion OF
any people went forth in the public defence It
cannot he found in the chronicles Of Cesar, OF
Harold, Of the Hugenots, or Roundheads, or OF
the zealot who sought to rescue Jerusalem from
the proiane Nowhere, IN any age, had 80 large
a percentage gone forth either for conquest or for
defence With such record, continued Mr.
Grinnell, Iowa made free suffrage platform lasi
| fall and elected her Governor on il by sixteen
/ thousand majority The negro who has fought
| for the Union should have the ballot which Is a,
mighty as the sword Of Achilles, for his futur,
| protection. Mr. Grinnell thanked Andrew John
| sou for the kindest words ever spoken for tn,
| people OF color. lie had publicly promised to b,
| their Moses, and we in Congress should lend oui
| influence in giving them a ballot for defenc,
| against the Pharaohs Of the land. In conclusion
Mr. Griunell invited true Democrats TO return e
( the faith of jefferson. Especially should those
/ who have fought with now vote with us, no
shaking and shiyering in political nakedness
! Better be dog and bag the moon than bow to thu
preiudces Of the outside Democracy. lie desired
10 leave such heritage of shame TO his children
as to have it said that he displayed a iorgetiulnes
of the brave men who have fought our battles
and preference Of white treason to sable loyalty
Mr.. Kasson, who had given way to Mr. Grin
nell, will speak on Monday. 1t appears certain
that qualified suffrage here is 70 be enacted