Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-03-28


political views. Will he be kind enough
In his paper to ans wer the following ques-
tions? Is the Republican party In Bel
mont County in favor Of negro suffrage
in Ohio? Is the editor of the Belmont
Chronicle In favor of negro suffrage In
Ohio? Answers to the above questions
| I'm the Belmont Chronicle would not only
he satisfactory to us, but would without
doubt be satisfactory to one Of the repre-
sentatives from that County, Hon. G.
Davenport. ort.--[Steubenville Gaz. ;.
Rcpy.-If we were disposed to dodge
the issue presented In the above. ques-
-tions, we might take advantage OF their
construction and reply briefly by saying.
that the Republican Party Of Belmont
County Is not in favor Of negro suffrage,
and that the editor OF the BELMONT
CHRONICLE is not in favor of negro suf-
frage; for, they are no more In favor of
negro suffrage than they are in favor of
Irish suffrage, German suffrage, Eng
glish suffrage, or any other kind Of suf-
frage based on sect, class, condition, race,
or color. But, we presume Mr.. Allen is
anxious to know what position the Union
Party Of Belmont County and the
CHRONICLE occupy upon the proposition
to strike the word "white" out Of our
State Constitution and extend the right
Of suffrage TO every "male citizen Of the
United States of the age Of q years."
&c, and we are perfectly willing, as far
as we are able, to crafty the gentleman,
and only ask Of him that he shall allow
l. t. I'll - ,Lat
upon the subject, as well as his comments
upon it.
The Union Party Of this County has
never in any official manner expressed
itself upon this question, and, so far as
we know, there is no person authorized
to speak for it. We are spretty well
acquainted with the views of the leading
men of the Party, however, and are pre-
pared to say that there is difference of
opinion among them upon this question.
Some are opposed to changing the pres
ent qualification, and would vote against
extending the right OF suffrage, If it was
presented to them now; but we don't
think any Of them would be induced to
vote the copperhead ticket merely be-
cause they were asked to vote for or
against that proposition. The ignorance
that fosters the prejudice necessary to
produce such stupid action is about all in
the Democratic Party now! Others, and
there is goodly number of them, think
that the right of suffrage should be ex-
tended to every male citizen of the Uni
ted States, who is held responsible for a
full and complete discharge of all the
duties and burdens of citizen, and, that
when men are required to pay taxes,
work the roads, and fight in the defence
Of the government, and by their industry
add to the wealth and prosperity of the
country, they ought to be allowed to ex-
ercise the rights of citizens. But, they
think It would not be expedient to force
the matter-that the "logic Of events"
will in the right time secure the result,
and that there Is no necessity for pressing
the matter just now.
There are others, and we think they
constitute the great majority in the Party,
who believe that, in q Republican Gov
viz ehuO pOiiNJ 10 w OAtChu WIG
right Of suffrage until every man with
in the limits of the State who contrib
utes his time, talents, labor, and money
to sustain, enlarge and enrich 1t, shall
be In fact citizen and made to feel that
he is part of the government and not
merely an oppressed member of society.
These are opposed to all restrictions Of
the elective ranchise-based on wealth,
class, creed, or color-and believe thatthe
shape Of mans nose, or the color OF his
skin, should have no more to do In de-
termining his right as a citizen, than the
quality Of his food or the cut of his
clothes. They believe In manhood s,y-
.jrdgs and are ready at any time 10
vote In favor Of such a change in our
State Constitution as will secure 1t.
So much by way of opinion as to the
position of the Union Party. In addi-
itlon, we may be permitted to say that
outside Of that party there are men in
the County, who from a sense Of right
and justice or through the influence of
tho teachings Of such Democratic papers
as the Chicago Times, and Boston Post,
believe In manhood suffrage and would
vote In favor of IL.
On the next branch Of tho inquiry We
are better prepared to answer, and we
will do so by saying: That, II we were
In the Legislature Of Ohio, we should
vote to submit question as to whethe
the word white should be stricken from
the Constitution to vote of the people.
A Democratic Convention held at Co
lumbus passed resolution demanding,
In the nameof their party, that this ques-
tion should be submitted, and we think
the Legislature, when requested by any
respectable part of the people of the
State to submit TO their decision any oues-
tion touching their interests ana rights,
as defined by the Constitution of the
State, should do so, without regard to
how the members might vote upon the
question when SO submitted. We be-
lieve In allowing the people to pass upon
all measures touching their interests
whenever 1t can be done. II this ques-