The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-04-30
[From the Cincinnati Enquirer, April 23.]
Stampede on the Amend
nnent.

D1ents
The Commercial yesterday hadsan as
tonishnent for its readers. This was no
less than an article "backing down" or
"backing out" from all its previous in
dorsements in favor of the proposed Ohio
Constitutional amendment, which it now
fatty opposes.
New and overpowering light has sud
denly broken in upon the darkened Wis
ion of the Commercial. 1t has just dis
covered that the amendment disfranchi-
ses great many white men, as we'll as
enfranchises the negro, Our cotempo-
rary, although still protesting great de-
sire to have the pleasure Of walking to
the polls in company with the gentleman
from Africa, yet thinks that we are pur-
chasing the negro's company rather too
dearly. 1t is not willing to put bar up
that will prevent five white men from
getting to the ballot. box in order that
one negro may slip under said bar and
vote. 1t is question of numbers with
our neighbor. tits entirely merchan-
tile transaction. Wien he thought that
there was only one or two white men dis
franchised for every negro enfranchised
under the amendment, he was for it; but
the disfranchisement of five 70 one he
thinks is rather too strong a dose.
These are the reasons appearing on the
surface, but there are probably other
ones behind them. The Commercial
gets its Inspiration from the party man
ayers and fuglers. 1t danoesto the tunes
for which they fiddle. They are prob
ably alarmed at the result of the Con.
necticut election, and the indications Of
disfavor which, have greeted the amend
ment throughout the State, and which
threaten to swamp their State, and
Legislative ticket. The word is
therefore given to halt-to take the back
track, and make retrograde movement.
This word is thus passed to the Radical
army by our contemporary:
"Without going into further details at
present, or making inquiry whether every
principle Of sound policy is not violated
| by going back now to visit military offen-
ses with punishments which were not
threatenedior contemplated at the time
the ofense was committed-and this is
point to be seriously considered
inquire, what will be the effect of the
amendment if adopted2 Are the people
of Ohio ready to disfranchise Eve white
men for every black enfranchised? Ia.
king the census table of 1860, We find
that there was then asblack population of
36,673 persons in Ohio. Allowing one
sixth as the population of voters, we
have 6,272, and deducting from this mum
Der one-thlrd as having visible admix-
tnre of African blood, and consequently
voters now, there remain 4, ,074 who would
be enfranchised. According to the Pro-
yost Marshal's books there are "a, ,O0O
Ohio soldiers still charged with desertion
who will be disfranchised under the
amendment. This. then, is the practical
effect of the amendment, tinkered and
Ibotched into its present shape by Leg,
Iislature either too timid to meet the suf.
frage question squarely, or insincere il
Its professions of desire to enfranchist
the few blacksin Ohio. . - -
/ aWhen the people come to understand
the bearing of the amendment, and the
injustice it will work to thousands o.
linen who were in the army, they will pu
Iit under their feet. The Republican
4 Convention will, we expect, have to re
pudiate the botched job of the Legisla
ture, 1t will be a political necessity, al
well as sound expediency, to declarel il
favor of the principal of impartial suf
frage; and the speedy coming of the tim,
provided in the Constitution for holding
I a Constitutional Convention. will reliey'
timid Legislators of their terrors, ant
the people Of adyentitious embarrass
! ments.n tssi