The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-18
Extract from n signih-
cant Speech.

cant speeen'
r,tbe United States Senate, on Sat-
urdav last, Senator Sumner read the
following extract from a speech made
by General Brisbin at Lexington, Kym
on the Fourth of July. He read it in
answer to a speech made by Senator
Garrett Davis of Kentucky:
To go back little, suffrage to you
black people of Kentucky is not SO
much question OF right as 1t Is one of
how you shall get it. [Cries OF "bear,
hear."j 1 have always believed that
Congress had full power over the ques;
lion OF suffrage, not only in the seeded
States, but in all the States OF the
Union. [Cheers.l 1 contend that Con
Rress may enfranchise your people IN
Kentucky any time it chooses 10 70 90 y 30
loud cheers.l Congress may 90 II
LIST. Under that provision OF the Con-
stitutional Amendment EbOlishing sla-
very, which requires ana empowers
Congress TO make all appropriate iesis-
Iation 10 secure the objects Intended by
the abolition OF slavery, viz: the per;
feet liberty, equality, protection anu
freedom of all the people.
I'd. Under that clause Of the Constr
tuition which requires Congress To
guarantee to every State in the Union
q republican form OF government
Certainly 1t cannot be said with any
degree OF truth, that a State which DIS
franchises nearly one third Of aus a 20 L..t
male population, has republican form
OF government. Under the Constitu:
lion Congress has power, and in good
time, believe, will secure to the peo-
pie, irrespective of color, all their r0-
publican rights, among which Is the
right OF suffrage. loud cheers.
Sd. As we make no determination on
~ VnaE. NWN al "a
glance OF our people, SO we must make
no discrimination in according TO them
protection. II is principle OF nations
that allegiance and protection go to-
gether, the one being the consideration
OF the other. As We claim allegiance
from the blacks, we are bound to ac-
cord them full protection i'll all their
rights as citizens, both civil and Politi-
cal. [Cheers.l
4th, Congress may extend the suit
rage under the well-established and
lust principle of our Government that
taxation and representation go to-
gether. [Cheers.l
5th. Congress may do 1t as measure
of national safety. The men who are
engaged in or sympathizsd with rebel
lion, must not be allowed to become the
governing class in any part OF this
country. CONTINUED cheeTing.l State
lines mi AXE no difference in the offence
OF treason. Geographical position can
not shield the people from the liabili-
ties OF rebellion. Technical loyalty in
the face of absolute treason will not
avail. Punishment for rebellion in one
State, and immunities and privileges to
IL in another, is not only devoid of rea-
son and principle, but uD just. [Cheers.l
There stand the men who were with
me at Saltville-[ cheers -who, out of
four hundred engaged IN the bhttle,
.N.-n1 On mt FaF ri
number dead and wounded on the
rugged hill side. [CrieS of "Oh III
SLaIl they be deprived of the ballot
while the rebels against whom they
fought, whose hands are yet red With
the blood of the loyal, who murdered
our poor captive colored soldiers, are
allowed To voter lCrieS, mo, nol'l
Such iniustice-forbldi it Almighty God.
The voices of the dead who fell con-
tending for the UniOn-the MANNED and
battle SCARED bodies ofthe living,appeal
TO uH by every consideration OF honor
and duty to do Justice to these men and
secure them all the rights ofcitizenshiP.
When this nation ceases to honor and
protect the soldiers who, in the hour OF
great public peril, barred their breasts
and shed their blood in defence of the
Union, then, indeed, will it he unde-
serving of the favor of God or the sup
port OF man. [Cries of "True!" "True!'l
In addition to what have already said
[ might adduce many other reasons
why Congress should extend to you the
franchise, but let these for the present
suffice. The power Of Congress over
this question clearly exists. Your pa
triotic services demand this reward at
the hands of a just Government, aud
have no doubt but that, before the end
OF the present year, our liberty-loving
Congressman will tearlessly do their
dnLy and give the ballot TO every adult
black man in Kentucky. CONTINUED
cheering.l