Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-07-25

the result of which may easily be pre-
dicted.
The fable of the iron and the earthen
| pot viii be re-euacted, anu the weaker YES
| sci will be dashed in pieces.
Next we present the remarks of Judge
SIMEON NASH, of Gallia, also, at'this time,
member of the Negro Suffrage party. [See
page 553, vol. 2, Constitutional Debates.J
"Mr. NASH. Mr.. President. 1 have
only word TO say in explanation of the
vote I shall give on this question: shall
vote against striking out this word white,
and for the following reasons:
p" "And first; do not believe it would be in
accordance with public opinion. To make
this change would be to defeat our Consti-
tuition whatever other merits it might con-
tain. Such being public opinion, we can
not disregard it if we would. No practical
statesman would disregard the public opin-
ion and send forth a Constitution with its
death warrant written in it. fz-.@ ,-t-- ~
"And secondly; do not believe that it
would benefit the very population designed
to be benefited. Such is the state of pub
lie feeling, that this right granted would
inevitably lead to the oppression of the
colored population. rosl .Fs'S
ai.sThe very first election would lead to
difficulties, and heart-burnings between
the white and colored population and prob
ably to open outrages. It would necessa-
rily infiame the antipathies now existing
between the two races. We may say that
these antipathies are wrong, unchristian;
but foul words will not do away with facts;
this body must deal with these facts
would be regardless of its duties by as
suming to disregard them. The colored
people should seek not to mix in politics
and involve themselves in the party strifes
of the country. Let them quietly pursue
the policy of educating themselves and by
intelligence and moral worth seek to re-
move prejudices and antipathies now ex-
isting, and existing in strength sufficient to
oppress them if they were once reused into
passionate action. ~ 3 aY ,lhi
"Again, this is not question of right, or
morality. The right of suffrage is mere
question of expedieney-has ever been so
considered. Hence minors and females are
excluded from the exercise of this power
| in the Government. The law, when made,
protects all alike; but the question, who
shall make our laws, is another and differ
ent question. so regard the question, and
so regarding it. can have no hesitation in
voting in accordance with well known
public opinion. In doing so, do not vio-
late any principle of right, as understand
the question. Nor is there anything in
this word citizen. They may be citizens,
and yet not be entitled to the right of suf-
trage. Minors are citizens, and yet not
voters. This is all 1 have to say"
a Whig member of the Board of Public
Works, and since that nominee of the
Republican party for that office (see page
337, vol. of Constitutional Debates), Of
fered an amendment to the Constitution al
lowing the Legislature to appropriate
money to colonize the Negroes in Liberia.
Mr.. .LoUpoN. of Clermont, late Black
nd tyUn QinPl q
defeated candidate of the same party for
the same office, is thus reported: [See page
337, vol. 2, Constitutional Debates.]
ssMr. LOUDON suggested that it would
be well to guard against the liability of
incurring the expense OF carrying on TO
Africa all the surplus black population
which might be thrown upon us by our
neighborfng States or the South. The
blacks had no claims upon the people OF
Ohio especially that portion of them
which had come into the State since the
adoption of the old Constitution Ohio
was State for white men. The negroes
were intruders amongst us, and it was un-
reasonable for any man to claim that it
rested upon us as public duty, to trans
port these people at the expense OF the
Treasury"
These extracts might be multiplied to
greater extent. What we have given is
sufficient. They show that in the days
when peace,prosperity and good feeling was
the rule within the bounds of the Repub-
lie, that all parties united in the belief that
this was white mans Government. But
times have changed, and men who, in 1850
Isl held principles dear to them as the ap-
pie of their eye, are now not only acting in
direct opposition to the principles they
then professed, but with the change in their
own mind seek to change the form of Gov
ernment under which they live, and to
make it like Mexico. a mixed and pnnngrel
and to give to the Negro, the
lowest race in the scale of humanity, all
the political privileges now enjoyed by the
Whites. For this purpose that party, call
ing itself sometimes by the name of 'Re-
publican" and again by that of 'Union," is
mastering its men to vote for such a
change of the State Constitution, as n.ef-
feet says, White men can no longer carry
ON the Government'of the State, and hence
they must have Negro aid to right the ship
of State. r,..r -,.''E.