The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1867-03-04
General Bob. Schenck and "Impar-
tioI SUFFRAGE"

Some weeks ago there appeared in the
Radical papers a letter written by the Rep
resentative In the Runip House from this
District, emphatically and unequiyocally
endorsing the Abolition dogma Of Impair
tiol Suffrage or, in other words the right
ofthc negro to political equality with the
white man; and we had intended at that
time to call the attention Of the voters in
this District to the letter containing
ScurNcK's endorsement Of negro suffrage.
Unfortunately or rather fortunately, we
had better say, we mislaid the letter in
question, and the Hon. ~ gentleman es-
capped for The time q very deserved commen-
tary upon the change chat seems to have
taken place IN his mind upon this question
since his election. Prior to his election, the
friends of Mr.. SCHENCK, if not himself in
person, were very anxious to have certain
influential men Of their party. and one In
particular, a distiller, believe that the Illus
trious hero o vienna was not in favor of
NEGRO suffrage and would not support
ANY measure Of that character should he be
elected. This was fully impressed upon
the mind Of the d~isttller, ms was evidenced
by his remarks in a public meeting priorto
election. and by the service he rendered to
place the doughty General in q seat in the
Rump House.
Well. "Bor." was elected, and the elm
partial Suffrage League of Ohio, knowing
their man, addressed him gcircular. similar
no doubt. to the following, which has come
into our possession, issued by the National
Equal Suffrage Association and which we
here publish:
HEADQ'Rs NATIONAL Equal SuFFRAGE
ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, DC.
No. II, WASHINGTON BUILDING, Cor.
PENNSYLVANIA AVE. M SEVENTH ST..
December, 1866.
DEAR SIR 1.-The undersigned, Financial
Committee of the National Equal Suffrage
Association. are charged with the duty of
raising funds to promote the general objects
Of the Society.
Your name has been mentioned TO us as Il
friend UfiuSticc and humanity, and as one
who is undoubtedly in favor of impartial
suffrage.
We are laboriug to secure to the liberated
buudmcn Of the South, and especially to
culored citizens mt the capital of the nation,
legislative recognition of their right to
vote. We need the Freedman's ballot to
keep the peace which his courage and pat
riOtiSm assisted us to conquer. IL is an
appurtenance of his freedom, and will be
our best guarantee against future rebel
lion.
our Society has been in operation about
a year. our special work during this time,
has been the publication and circulation OF
documents on the subject of Equal Suffrage.
the circulation of petitions, the holding of
public meetings addressed by the ableSt
speakers we could procure. in and out of
Congress; systematic effort to give practi-
cal effect to the Civil Rights BIZ in the
District. by affording legal advice and as
s~istance to the colored people here who
need protection i'm the courts of law, and
by opening our rooms as the headquarters
of all radical men, citizens and strangers,
who wish to confer with one another in re
gard to the welfare of this District or the
country generally. Our opportunities for
usefulness in this work have been abundant
quite beyond our means to employ them
all. We congratulate ourselves especially,
that while it has been thought not eXpe-
dent. by the Republican party, to make
the question of suffrage an issue in the late
congressional cdnvass. we have been able
to do something to keep the subject in agi-
tation before the people, and are now ready
with increased confidence % urge upon
them aud their Representatives in Congress
both the eXpedieucy and the justice, of Sc
curing. lis ldT as DONSlDlts " tNtll Ivy ~
citizen of sound mind, the rights OF the
ballot. We ask your cooperation in the
continuance of this work. Weneed money
for the operations of the coming winter,
and are obliged to call upon the friends of
the cause to sustain us. Any remittanccs,
however small. will be thankfully received,
JONI K. ELVANs.
j. SAYLEs BROwN.
Address communications to-. Sayle'
brown, Corresponding Secretary N. Z. $. i
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY;
PresideHt-Hon. VIM. ID. Kelly, NJ. c.
Pa: Vice PresideHtS-Ilon. Michael Hahn
eX-Goy. La: John r. Elvans, Washington
ID. c.; Corresponding Secretdy-J. Sayle
Brown, Ohio; Recording Secretdry-J. Fred
Myers, Michigan; TredSUrer-D, NJ. kelsey
Nebraska.
To the circular of the Ohio League, not
withstanding the reservations and assur
ances of friends prior to election, the Rum
d~emagogue replied as follows:
WASHINGTON, d. c. January II, 1867.
DEAR SIR Some days ago / receive
your letter enclosing the circular of th
Committee of Ohio Impartial Sutfrag
League. | meant to reply to you more
length than by such n note as this but i
pressure of my work here | do not get tim
To do it. Suffice it for the present, there
fore, to say, | am with you in the move
ment. We must endeavor to influence tn
Legislature and people of our State to II
move an unjust and nti-Republican di;
tinction, and put all citizens on an equalit
Of civil and political rights, My heart an
Judgment approve the measure, and wha
they teach me is just and right my han
and voice shall earnestly cooperate.
Very respectfully yours,
ROBERT G, SCHENCK.
Thus giving, as we have said his unmi'
taxable Endorsement to that infamous mea.
ure which is to mark another notch in tn
degradation designed for the mass of I'll
American people by the Abolition conspil
ators and their allies. the privileged bono
holders and protected capitalist, and ty
rannical task-masters who own and ruI
the manufacturing interests of New Ems
land.
1t was ''thought not eXpedient," says II
above circular, "to make the question
suffrage an issue in the late COMPRESSION
canvass and so "BoB.' and his frienC
thought. it seems, when making lyin
pledges to secure the votes and influent
of men who had sworn opposition to an
man who favored the Infamous meaSur