Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-03-07
CINc1NNArr. Feb. 27. 1867.

j Hon. A6ner Ketlogg-DEAR SIR: Earnest
men here are greatly grieved at the action
of, the House yesterday, on the suffrage
qllestio Whether we consider the mat
ter in the light of right or expediency, it
would seem that there is now open to us
but one course. We must give equal suf-
frage in Ohio. Is it possible that we must
60 through another cam paign denying that
we are in favor of negro suffrage with all
the Generalization of such proceeding?
For one am tired and sick of this. When
we are imposing negro suffrage upon the
District of Columbia, upon the Territories
and upon the South; when Missouri is SUBJ
mitting this question to its people when
Tennessee has adopted negro suffrage
is it possible that Ohio, first born
of the Ordinance of 1877, refuses?
Shame : shame!' What do Republican
members think, who dare vote against
the submission of the question? Do they
think it polite? Do they not see the in
consistency Of the situations? How dare
we to impose negro Suffrage upon others
and refuse to do the same to ourselves?
The Inconsistency of such conduct-its
manifest hypocrisy strikes rybody. We
simply make ourselves ridiculous. The
Democrats see it.. They are to-day rPjOic
ing at Yesterdays action. They know it
helps them. How can we defend the action
of Congress from the standpoint of refus-
ing to apply the principle of its action to
ourselves? Do we not furnish ground for
the Sonth'S refusal to reconstruct on the
terms of Congress? Perhaps it will be
said that am radical; but is there mem
ber of the Legislature so blind as not to see
| that we have gone too far to stop now, even
| if it were desirable? Sir, we cannot go be-
fore the people of Ohio with such record
as yesterdays proceedings. This Legisla-
ture must undo that action. The loyal
people of Ohio will occupy no such false
attitude. No man of honor can. Are we
willing that it shall appear to the world
that we have imposed negro suffrage upon
the South as punishment? 1 scorn the
! idea. But if we are willing to take this
position, how is it with reference to our
action toward loyal Nebraska? fis"l
l. No; no; yesterdays work must be un-
done. You, and every true man in our
Legislature, have a responsibility upon you
as great as was ever imposed upon any leg
| islators. 49,. .'' s.'.l - 'li'A
! ou can, if you will, undo yesterdays
work. It has been the proud privilege of
the Reserve" in days gone by, to take the
responsibility and to compel unwilling men
to do service in the cause of humanity
You must do this again. You can accom-
plish your work in three days. .Ag~
/ Hold at once a caucus Of the true men.
resOIue that this amendment shall be made or
the Union party shall elect their ticket aciSlout
your aid, and you will compel obedience.
These towards fear the people. Thislis their
excuse. But the people are right. Ham
Eilton county on this question is right We
will carry'it here. But so act as to make
them fear you. Now is the golden time to
secure this amendment. know the value
of the Union party. I would not lightly
break it up. 1t is in the interest of it that
l ask you to do what have suggested. II
the Union party is without courage; if il
is afraid to do right, why should it live
Il Wherein is it better than the old Whig
i If you will show to the weak -kneed that
the Reserve has the balance of power; thai
it gives the great majorities, and that if the
! Legislature does not submit this question
the Reserve will not give these maiorities
you can carry the day. $40 a-tti i1a4 y.
n ,. 1t is. said, understand, that if we sub
NIT this question we shall lose certain close
districts. don't believe it. But if it il
true, we have lost them already. Where il
the man who would say to any one, 81 will
vote the Union party ticket, although tina