Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-03-16
severe. but rIerfted.

and is Just retyuke of the unmanly, mean and
cowardly spirit that rules the majority of the
legislature, and disgraces the State. We trust
the letter will be generally read. When will
politicians more generally learn that respect and
success is far more likely to follow manly indie
Ipendence than this kind of dedging and COM
promise?
cISorSNArI February g. 1867.
Hon. ABSER Dear SIR
Earnest men here are greatly grieved at
the action of the House Yesterday on the
suffrage question. Whether We consider
the matter in the light of fright or expedi-
ency, it would seem that there is4now
open to us but one course. We must
give equal suffrage in Ohio Is it possi-
sible that we must go through another
campaign denying that we are in favor OF
regro suffrage, "a with all the demorali-
zation of such a proceeding? For am
tired of this. When we are imposing
negro suffrage upon the District Of Co
lumbia, upon the Territories and upon
the south: When Missouri is submitting
this question to its people: When Ten
nessee has adopted negro suffrage; is it
possible that Ohio, first born of the Ordi-
nonce of 1887, refuses! Shame shame |!
What do Republicans think, who dare
vote against the submission of the ques-
ton? Do they think it polite Do
they not see the Inconsistency of the sit
situation? How dare We to impose ne
gro suffrage upon others and refuse to do
the same to ourselves? The inconsistent
cy of such conduct-its manifest hypoc-
ricy strikes every body. We simply
make ourselves ridiculous. The Demo
Gratis see it. They are rejoicing at yes
terday's action. They know it helps
them. How can we defend the action of
Congress from the standpoint of refusing
to apply the principle of its action to
ourselves? Do we not furnish ground
fol-, the South's refusal to reconstruct on
the terms of Congress2 Perhaps it will
be said that | am radical; but is there a
member 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 before the people Of Ohio with
such record as yesterdays proceedings.
This Legislature 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 a PUNISH
ment i scorn the idea. But if we
were willing to take this position, how is
it with reference to our action towards
loyal Nebraska?
No; no; yesterdays work must be un-
done. You, and every true man in our
Legislature, have responsibility upon
you as great as was ever imposed upon
any Legislature f@
You can, fyou will, undo yesterday IS
work. 1t has been the privilege OF the
"Rcserve." in days gone by, to take the
responsibility and TO compel unwilling
men to do service In the cause of human
ity. You must do this again. You can
accomplish your work in three days.
Hold at once a caucus of the true men,
resolve that this amendment shall be
made or the Union party shall elect their
ticket without your aid, and you will
compel obedience. These towards
fear the people. This is their excuse
But the people are right. Hamilton
county on this question is right. We
will carry it here. But so act as to make
them fear you. Now is the time to Sc
cure this amendment. / know the value
of the Union party. i would not lightly
break it up. 1t is in the interest OF it
that / ask you to do what have sugges-
ted. If the Union party is without cour-
age; if it is afraid to do right, why
should it live? Wherein is it better than
the old Whig party.
If you will show the weakened that
the Reserve has Il Q balance of power;
that it gives the great majorities, and
that if the Legislature does not submit
this question, the Reserve will not give
these majorities, you can carry the day.
1t is said, understand, that if we SUBJ
NIT this question we shall lose certain
close districts. | don't believe It, But
if it is true, we have lost them already.
Where is the man that would say to
any one, Il will vote the Union party
ticket, although that party has forced
Negro Suffrage upon the South, Nebras-
ka, &c, &c, but as soon as it does unto
itself in Ohio whatit has done to others
l will no longer vote for it,. 81
The people are not tools, they are wiser
than the wiseacres in the Legislature
who think SO little of the people n,i''
] once asked Mr.. Lincoln what was
the secret of his power as a public speak
er. He answered.: Fl always assume
that my audiences are wiser than | am,
and | say the most sensible thing | can
to them, and / never found that they did
not understand me"s Let our Legisla.
ture act upon this maxim 37''
Excuse me for troubling you in this
matter / have nothing new to say to
you, and | know you are all right. But
feel that this is now crisis, which, il
met, all is right, but it may be all wrong.
/ do not wish to give names, but | as
sure you [ speak the sentiments of our
best men here. How nobly! How grand
ly Congress acts.
| know ofnothing in the Parliamentary
history Of this or any other country, that
sarpasses in all the elements of real
greatness the closing action of the 39th
Congress. Shall Ohio rebuke this p
Shall rebels find comfort in Columbus
Yesterdays action brought glad news to
every rebel heart.
God forbid that it should remain.
Truly yours w. M. DICKSON
DEATH OF ARrEMus WARD-Many an Ameri-
can heart will be panied al the news the death