The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1867-05-23
RANDOM THOUGHTS No. 81.
BY THE EDITOR.

A few days ago received letter from Young
man in Lawrence county, who had been taking
the STANDARD but whose time had expired. The
Young man is a Democrat, but personal friend,
whom respect. The letter contained hity cents,
and tie writer said that the money was to pay ior
the STANDARD during the time that was making
my vigorous fight upon the constitutional
amendment" l respect this young man, and SO
will answer him, and hundreds of others like him.
Why should the word white" be stricken out
of the constitution of the State Of OhioS First,
because it is an act of justice The negroes are
compelled to pay the same amount OF taxes upon
their property that white men pay. They have 10
work the roads, submit to the criminal lava OF
the State, and help defend the State and National
Governments from foreign invasion and domestic
violence. Having to submit to all these require
ments, it is unjust and unmanly to deny them
any voice in the making of the laws OF the land.
Is it not mean and selfish to assume the right to
make laws for men, and deny them all the rights
which you hold essential for your own protection!
But you will claim that the negroes are too ig-
norant to know how to vote. ] do not know how
this may be; do know that they knew enough
to take sides against the Democracy in the late
rebellion, aud fought to maintain the Govern
ment when the majority of the Democratic party
were fighting to destroy it, and the minority OF
the same party were giving the majority aid and
comfort in their treason. The negroes know
enough to vote the Union ticket this is more
than the Democracy know.
But suppose the negroes are not so Intelligent
as white men. What thGn2 If intelligence is to
be the test, who is to be the judge2 And If this
is to be the test it must not stop with the color oil
the skin, but oil ignorant white men must be dis
franchised.
Again. This Government is not founded upon
caste, or race, or nationality. Our Declaration
of Independence and National constitution no
where recognize color or race No man, reading
these instruments would ever dream that there
were such beings in existence as negroes. Then
why keep up this unjust and impolitic distinction
In the State OF Ohio2
Prejudice is at the bottom Of this whole matter
Prior to the year 1S40, negro could not be q
witness in the State of Ohio, where white man
was party. To speak then of negroes testilying
In court would have been considered most out
rageous, and not one man in fifty would have
consented to III but the Democracy, by bargain
in order to get power, repealed the Black Laws ol
| Ohio and now there are negro witnesses at every
term of our Court, and 1t excites no remark
There ia no harm done, and often the ends of jus
tlce are reached in this way. 1t has only been {
ycar or two since mulattoes have been voting II
jackson, although they have been entitled to vote
for many years. When they voted last fall, somt
worthless Democrats would have liked to get VI
A riot, and there was in fact one fight about 1t
but at the Spring election, mulattOes and Demo
Gratis went up to the polls side by side and voted
and the Democrat was no more degraded thar
when he was shaved by a negro or had Negro
to cook his dinner for him. Whether the negr
soldier who fought for our country, was degrade
by voting by the side ofthe Democrat who sneOke
of to Canada when his country sorely needed hi
services, will not stop to inquire; but If there
any degradation in the case, the negro has tht
worst of 1t.
But suppose the negro should vote wron
sometimes, through ignorance Do not whit
men do so frequently1 Where is the danger
The negro vote in Ohio would only be one Il
ninety Is there danger Of Que ignorant negr
overcoming and ruling ninety white men Ou
upon such demagoguery.
The white men OF Ohio ought to be ashamed
their fear to do right. 1t Is not our privilege
voting that makes us superior to the negro, If v
arc superior. 1t is mostly owing to our superi'
advantages. For my part am willing to CIV
oil men the same rights that Idemand for mysel
and If they surpass me in the fight through til
world, 1t will be my fault. Let all be elevate
|, but none kept down by law. Is there any val
objection to this? ID. NJ.