The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-07-04


consummation is impossible. I'm
partial manhood suffrage is bnt a
question of time. Emancipation
was not more surely the destiny of
the slave, than Acknowledgement is
of the freedman. This government
cahnot permanently maintain a sta
BILE peace and tranquil unity, while
it contains within 1t numerous and
powerful race alienated and made
enemies by exclusion from those.
privileges which alone give endur-
ing strength to the ties of allegiance
and lasting firmness to the bonds of
union. ...a
Disf1anchisement was an ins epara-f
BILE incident of servitude. Slavery
could only be maintained under col
or of law, which in popular govern
ments is the expression of the pub
lie will. From that expression the
voice of the slave was necessarily
excluded. It was unnatural that it
should be given TO sanction or sane
tify the rivetlhg Of his own chains.
But the lettering of his limbs was
of itself not enough. In order to
prevent his restiveness and discon-
tent, his aspirations for freedom
were discouraged and repressed by
crushing from his heart every mo-
tive to seek it. To this end moth
ing was omitted which could render
the condition Of the freedman more
intolerable, if possible, than that of
servitude. He was excluded from
citizenship; the temples of justice
were closed against him; he was de
MED the commonest rights of hi
manity. He was made a vagrant
and vagabond by the enforced disa-
bilities which hemmed him around,
and for being such was condemned
as criminal, and returned to his
chains, or voluntarily sought them
as relief from the miseries Of his
freedom.
Nor were these barbarous disabil-
tiles confined to the doninions of
slavery. The young States of the
Northwest initiated their example.
Originally settled by emigrants Of
the slave States, they inherited their
prejudices and emulated their inhu
manity. Out of complaisancy to
them, they voluntarily constituted
themselves out-posts to the citadel
Of slavery, and Janizaries to guard
it's portals ......
To this work of barbarity and out
rage the earlier legislation of Ohio
was prostituted. Her code of black
laws is the record Of her greatest
infamy, and deepest shame. This
Draconean code refused ASYLUM to
the black man, except under heavy
bonds denied him settlement and
the privileges of education virtually
closed against him the courts of JUS
tice, by excluding him from the wit
ness stand made it crime to give
him employment; required his de-
parture or removal ON failure to
comply with conditions to him prac-
tically impossible; withheld from
him both public relief and private
charity; decreed for him nothing
but degradation or exile. Where
soever he turned he was an alien
and outcast, compared to which con-
dltion his shackles were a refuge
and tender mercies. Pointing to
these oppressive laws and barbarous
disabilities, the Southern master
quieted the awakening instincts and
quelled the aspirations of his slave
for freedom.
1t is doubtless historically true
that the word "white" was incor-
porated into the Constitution from
the same complacent regard for the
interests of slavery which prompted
the enactment of the black code
It had its origin in that spirit of ser
Witty which the earlier part of this
century manifested towards the
naughty dictation of Southern pow
er-the spirit which "bends the sup
pie hinges of the knee, that thrift
may follow fawning."
But the citadel is now stormed,
and the slave set free Over him is
extended the agis of universal eman-
cipation. Why then keep up this
outpost of servility? Why longer
maintain the attitude of the Jani-
zary? The purpose of her humili
ating complacency having ceased to
exist, why not the humiliation also,
and Ohio stand up in the pride of
her dignity as State of exact jus
tice and impartial laws? Long ago
the revolted sense Of her people
swept from her statute book her
black code Of infamy; why not re
lieve the honor of her name, and
the glory of her escutcheon, from
this last vestige of her ancient sub
serviency ? -.
The pending amendment to the
constitution proposes this, and moth
ING more. Can any rational objec-
ton be urged against it
1t is contended that the extension
of impartial suffrage to the black
race will degrade the elective fran
chise, and tend to bring popular
government into contempt. But is
the objection founded in reason
| 1t inaugurates no new or rerolu-
tionary principle, The authors OF
the first constitution possibly in
tended to exclude the African race,
and it's descendants of every shade.
. But the courts, actuated by senti-
ments of sincere regard for the prin-
ciples which rest at the foundation
of popular government, gave to its
terms more liberal construction.
Under that construction, emenating
from Democratic Judges of the
school of Jefferson, before Democ
racy had lost its significance, per-
sons Of mixed descent having pre-
ponderance of Caucasian blood are
op+;tIo1 aJraa6v to tho anun1 11riyil- l.