American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-06-19

What in creation did caspi
A lot of cotton WOOL
BORDER STATE CONVENTION.
The President of the late Republican
State Convention (Md,) has complied
with the instructions of that body by is
suing call for Border State Conven~
tion to assemble in Baltimore, Maryland,
on the 18th day of September next, The
States invited tosend delegates and par
ticipate in the proceedings of that body,
are Maryland, Delaware and Kentucky.
In the selection Of these delegates it is
distinctly announced that no distinction
is to be made on account of race or color
Upon first view this Convention may
seem to possess but little importance, but
upon close examination of the subject
it will be seen that, if entered upon with
the proper spirit by the earnest and fear
less Republicans of the border States, it
will result in the adoption of measures
that will proveof inealeulable service to
the cause of Republican liberty. The
first great object to be attained is, thor
ough aud complete organization of these
States which occupy an abnormal polit,
ical position, by being placed geograph-
ically between two sections of the coun-
try which have hitherto been bitterly hos
tile in sentiment. Under the present t
condition of public affairs, Maryland is
destined to remain what she has been in
the pasta mere cypher in the political
world, unless we choose to have it other
wise BY holding Border State Con-
vention in Baltimore at the time proposed
we can 90 far toward correcting this evil.
Another important feature of the Con-
vention will be to memorialize Congress
upon the subject of establishing univer>
sal manhood suffrage throughout all the
States, by a joint resolution of the Ma
tional Legislature. That Congress has
not only the power, but that it is its man.
itest duty, to afford full aud complete pro
lection to each and every citizen of the
United States, in all the enjoyments of
life, liberty and property, we have never
entertained the slightest doubt To ar
que that any man can protect himself in
either of these important particulars,
without the exercise of the elective fran.
chise, is to deny proposition which is
proved by illustration almost every day
The disfranchisement of one-forth of out
voting population is in direct violation
OF the Federal Constitution, and is an
evil which the law>making and law-reg'
ulating power should correct without de
lay, The work of emancipation was a
national act, and we do not concede that
it will ever be complete until the ballo
is placed in the hands of every colore-
mau in the country. The exhibitions o
rebel bravado, and Of hatred toward the
men who rescued the Government in the
hour of peril, which are displayed by the
Jemocracy now assembled at Annapolis
is abundant evidence of the necessity o
calling every loyal man to ;he ballot box
We deny the right of political party o
this or any other State to ignore the po
litical rights of any portion of oar loya
and law.abiding citizens, and we charac
terize it as an open and direct violation
of that clause of the Constitution of th
United States which makes it the duty o
Congress to secure to every State Re
publican form of government. We earn
estly hope the Republicans of Maryland
will see the propriety and necessity Q
moving in this matter with energy an
determination. The time for the meet
ing of the Convention is yet somewha
distant, and thus ample opportunity is al
: forded to make 1t decided success bot
in spirit and number The principles Q
the Republican party have already take
: deep root inall the States that were latel
} engaged in the rebellion, and it needs bu
: the honest effort of her true meu to redeeI
j Maryland and place her side by sid
with her sister Republican States. Tha
the Assembling of Border State Coz
T, vention, composed of representatives c
> the States named within the call, and {
men who are known to be uncondition
ally in favor Of human rights, will B
productive of much good there. can /
scarcely a doubt. This proposed Coz
vention will be the largest representativ
body that has ever assembled in the Tn
: ted States which is distinctly based upc
the ground of universal rights, and v
trust that proper efforts will be made
d n \