Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-07-18
aOIi.Oquy of "A RadicaI-No. ,.

in a quandary. My consultation with my
Radical friends was hardly as satisfactory
as my consultation with BROWN. The
members of the Grand Army of the Re-
public are especially Jealous for Negro
Suffrage, and their reasons may appear
satisfactory to them, but can't exactly SEE
them in the same light. ---vx5-
The principal argument appears to be
that it is a necessary measure of Recon-
struction. But as Ohio has already beer
reconstructed T can hardly comprehend
the application of that argument to our
own State. But oh! say they, "the exam
ple." Examplei Yes, example. 1t is some
what of an example that is true. Let me
see. In order to humiliate rebels, it is nec-
essary to place them upon equality with
Negroes, and In order to place Negroes up
on eqality with rebels in order to humiliate
the rebels, it is necessary for us to humil
late ourselves by placing Negroes upon an
equality. here. Now, for the life of me l
can't see which is humiliated the more
ourselves or the rebels.
That argument looks well in the bran,
but does not bolt we'll. 1 can't see what
advantage the people of Ohio have over the
rebels II all are to be alike humiliated.
But again, they claimed the Negroes SOL
diered and, therefore, are entitled to vote.
A great many patriotic boys soldiered
also, and 1 have never heard of PROPOSE
tion during the war to let them vote. 1t
appears to me if that argument is correct
that these noble boys would have been al
lowed the right of Suffrage long ago. And,
besides, many ministering angels, in form
of women, underwent the perils of the bat
tle-helds and administered to the wants OF
the wounued and dying, and hear of no
proposition to let them vote for that reason
The last words my dear son JAMES die
tated, were penned by woman's hand,
amidst the perils of battlefield.
I shall never forget his last words: 'Dear
father and mother and sister, never fail to
remember MINNIE GRAY" ''She is kneel-
ing beside me now, supporting my dropping
head AMI writing my last words to the dear
ones at home." ''God bless her."
She has no vote and hear no one pro-
posing that she shall have. If black Tom
or MINNIE are to have that favor con-
ferred, MINNIE is certainly the more de-
serving and the more capable. ,-.,
But there's another thing don't exactly
understand. IT going to war is reason
for bestowing the privilege of suffrage
upon such Negroes as went to war, wha,
argument does that furnish for bestowing
iG upon the bulk that refused to go?
But, pshaw' What's the use? I'm no
Radical. 1 am utterly opposed to this non
sense. My father was opposed to it before
me, and can see no good reason why l
should be more philanthropic than he was.
This Negro business has puzzled me from
the beginning. But never supposed i5
would come to this. Let me see. If say
NO, must vote with the Democrats. ESQ.
JONES has turned have opposed these
fellows so much hate awfully to acknow-
ledge I'm wrong and they right.
What's thisp, BRowN's Bible and Con-
stitution. Let me see. Which shall read
first. What's this? A saying of the
Apostle PAUL: " But if it be question OF
words and names, and of your law, look
ye to it; for will be no judge of such
matters" -
Well, well. Then it appears as if our
Creator endowed US with Judgment and
reason to determine these matters for our
selves.
And this appears to be "a question oi
words and names." Now if it were not
the D. mocratic party, would not be long
in making up my mind. But 1 am to be
the judge of this matter. That looks like
re possibility. ---- -rr. .T--r- .t
Well, then I'm Judge. The question as
to Negro Suffrage is upon trial. Even il
the Apostle PAUL were here he would not
determine that question for me. Really
this is a responsibility had not dreamed
of. a5 - -sEsr- 90 l..- .t:H o. -cl- BE-.
But here's BRowN's Constitution. United
States. That used to sound familiar. States
States. That must mean something. II
used to, at least. I wonder why we hear
so little of late about the United States and
so much about Congre.s? Congressi Pm
really tired OF hearing about Congress
This old Constitution says the Government
shall consist OF three departments. The
Executive, the Judicial and the Legisla-
tive. wonder how it comes Congress is
making so much ado now-a-days? 1 must
give this subject an overhauling. The
Constitution. can't find any Negro Suf-
frage there. They must have forgotten it,
"The Negro is man and brother" ]
move an amendment by striking out sand
brother" I5"'
Tat leaves him a man. Well, if he is a
man in the popular acceptance of the term,
he will still be my equal. I'm not agreed
fO fhaf hu ctriE a
man." -iTa7H
That leaves it, "The Negro is -.''
Well, yes, he is Negro, and that is all we
can make out of him. And yet 1 do not
like to vote with the Democrats. Oh
Prejudice, I am certainly not thy dupe.
No, sir, I'm Radical; but all that bothers
me is to find out how came to be Radi-
cal. ,-v
Now, as to Negro Suffrage in the South,
1 can't say Pm opposed to that. 1 know
my sister and her friends will feel as if their
country was transferred to the Blacks if
that is done, and no longer place to call
home, and I don't feel like being cruel to
her. would feel very hard if she was to
treat me so. But our boys argue that it
is necessary Reconstruction measure.
Let's see how that is.
The argument is that Rebels should not
be permitted to govern themselves ttiiut Is
White Rebels), and that in order to prevent
future trouble, the Blacks ought to be in
vested with power to govern the South.
This argument looks we'll in the bran. But
1 guess it ought to be bolted.
% Let me see; where will the argument
lead to? If rebels are not capable of self
government, they must be governed. Now,