Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-10-03

The UfScArueu SuurnKe hesOiutIOns.
We alluded briefly last week TO the refusal
of the committee on resolutions OF the Re-
publican State Convention to report upon
the current topic of universal suffrage fol
the States either by act of Congress or con-
stitutional amendment. Notwithstanding
the necessities and unanimous call of our
friends in Maryland and Kentucky, the ac-
tion Of our Senators in Congress, the recent
promise of Mr.. Mckee, of kentucky, the
resolutions Of our brethren in the Maine
State Convention, and the recent powerful
letter of Speaker Colfax,a all to the same end,
il was reserved for Massachusetts, that
should have led in this movement, agrceably
to her traditions and principles, TO hold back
and positively refuse to make any sign ON
the subject We confess to a degree Of hui
initiation that the Republicans OF Massachu-
sets should leave their friends in Maryland,
Delaware and Kentucky, who to-day with
upliftcd hands are imploring the sympathies
aud aid of their brethren throughout the
country in their unequal struggle with the
slave-liolding prejudice that still rules them
as with a rod Of iron, without one word OF
appreciation of their heroic fight, or even
of kindly mention 1t was unworthy of our
State.
We have asked of tho chairman of the
committee on resolutions a copy of the dis
carded resolution, that the Republicans of
Massachusetts may see what it was that Mr..
r. H. Dana. Jr., and his timid associates,
were fearful would compromise the party
should it be adopted -
Resolpsd, That the Republicans of Mass
achusctts again testify their devotion to the
equal rights of all, and their abiding conyic-
tion that their full recognition in all the
States and territories is essential to the
peace, safety and fair fame of the Republic.
In view, therefore, of our assurances to the
world during the rebellion that our cause
was the cause of human nature, OF our sol
emn pledges of protection to the freedmen
who now require the ballot as the only safe
and complete weapon of self-dcfence and OF
the necessities of loyal men in the South,
and particularly In Maryland and Kentucky,
who are overborne by rebel majorities, We
invoke Congress at its next session to see to
it that, in some lawful and constitutional
mode, all Determinations on account ofcolol
OF race in the exercise of the right of suffrage
arc everywhere and forever prohibited in the
United States.
Could anything be more carefully or judi
ciously drawn than this resolution? Coult
any topic be suggested that more interested
the Republicans of Massachusetts? Is there
anything violent, anti-repnblican, tending
to Capitalization, in the suggestions il
makes? "We invoke Congress to see to il
that, in some la,gfui and constitutional
mode, all Determinations on account OF co
lor or race in the exercise of the right OF suf
frage be everywhere and forever prohibit
ed" This is the language of Massachusetts
| as surely as its language was in favor o
emancipation and the arming of the blacks.
| With uniform consistency Mr.. Dana opposes
| thfc In cf frrn af Of hn hua nnnpspl 0thpl
steps ofprogress in State Convention I'm
fortunately it was in the committee-room, moi
in the convention itself, that his tactics were
practiced this year. Had the convention
known of the suppression in time, its actioi
would have been, without doubt, as it wa'
on the former occasion, in overwhelming
opposition to the obsiructiycness and COLI
Indifference of the able member from Cam
| bridge.
| We dwell at length upon this subject be
cause we feel that grevious wrong ha
been done to our brethren in the Borde
States. and because we desire the Republi
can party in Massachusetts to know ho,
far they can rely for leadership ON nationa
questions on such men as Mr.. Dana. w
do not question his ability, patriotism, O
party loyalty all we do say is that he
not from temperament, education and an,
association, fitted to lead an aggressive
warm hearted, and justice-seeking part,
like the Republican organization Of Massa
chusetts. He is the brake, not the motive
power, on the train of political progress
he has his use, like other distractions; bu
Just now we want draught and momentum
not ohoolsing-up and stoppage, for the saf
transit of the nation over the hard road o
reconstruction. The more he is trusted il
our conventions to give tone and direction
to its policy, the more stationary, even re
trogade, will be our action, until at las
Massachusetts, instead of leading the States
will have no voice or influence that wi
| command attention if nyen resnnci