The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-12-19

that man yields his position in the senate
merely because of the result Of popular
election ; but if the legislature gives an in
struction to senator, many hold that the N
struction must be obeyed or the senator
resign. There has been no such case pre-
sented to me- | do not choose, however,
to explain or viudicate here any course of
mine upoa any such question. That Is be-
tween me aud the folks at home.
| regard this as an important measure
Why have the people Of Ohio, of Kansas
and Of Minnesota recently, and the people
of Wisconsin AID OF Connecticut formerly,
but in later years. said that the negroes
ought not to DE allowed to vote: In
those states the negro population is small
compared with the white population they
never can override them at ary popular
election, and therefore 10 public incon-
venience, no serious public harm could De
apprehended from allowing them the right
to vote in those states. But in the Dis
trict of Columbia the negro population
equals l believe, the white population,
and | think at some election recently the
negro vote was larger than the white vote;
so that here it is very important ques-
ton. rs | think, it is like that question
which is now being considered, and con-
sidered very earnestly, by the American
people: whether the southern white popu-
ation shall by legislative interference and
military power be placed under the gov
ernment and control of the negroes. 1t IS
q very different and more important ques-
ton in the District Of Columbia whether
the negroes shall have the political power
than it is in the state Of Ohio, where the
white race, Notwithstanding this privilege
might be extended to the negroes, would
maintain its supremacy.
am opposed to this policy which sub
iugates the white race TO the colOred race
Now, this bill proposes not only that ne
eroes shall be allowed to hold Office in the
District of Columbia, but that they shall
be allowed to sit upon juries. Oh course
it vii! follow that they may be judges.
The spectacle will then be presented OF ne
gro courts to try cases. Ii IS not IN ac-
cordance with the taste Of the people |
have the honor in part 20 represent and
as | would not vote that the people OF In
diana should be thus governed, ! will not
vote to govern thus the people OF the Dis
trict of Columbia. What I think IS right
and fair and honest to the people Of lndl-
ana, I think is right and honest and
fair toward the people Of this District.
Mr. Morton-Mr. presidant, my col-
league has made one remark which | do
not desire to have misapprchended by the
senate, and rise not from any desire 20
cliticise his course, but simply to have a
correct understanding He says that he
has not by-his vctes in the senate gone in
favor Of any proposition which haa been
declared against by the people OF Indiana,
and not against any proposition which has
been declared in favor of b. them, as l
understand him.
Mr. Hendricl.s-E exactly.
Mr. Morton-That vas substantially II
IS I understood the senator. The people
OF Indiana in the elections of 1851, both
the state and presidential elections de
clarel strongly in fayer Of the policy OF
prosecuting the war anu putting down the
rebellion by force of arms. They declar-
ed against the suspension Of hosti!itics io'
the purpose OF opening negotiations with
the confederate authorities. During thai
canvass also the qa,s,ion Of the abolition
Of fslavery by an amendment 0. ihe consti-
tuition OF the United States vas free J and
fully discussed, and the public sentiment
by a majority of thirty thousand was un
questionably manifested in favor Of thai
proposition In 1866 the constitutions
amendment Of that year, known believe
as the fourteenth article, was a direct IS
|; sue all over our state. and the people o
, Indiana declared in favor of it by nlajor
ty Of some fifteen thousand. The policy
in opposition to it was maintaire1 l be
lieve, ably by my coleage in common Will
his whole party in that state. shal! no
now refer to the manner in which my col
league mas voted IN the senate on thes
questions simply state what has beer
the policy of the people of Indiana a
manifested by overwhelming majorities il
1864 and 1866
One word now in reference to the elec
. tions that have recently taken place, Mr.
t President. 1t was yesterday said by tn
, senator from Connecticut Mr. Dixon] il
, the discussion Of another question. tina
9 New York, by fifty thousand majority ha
e declared against the policy of reconstruct
| ion that has been adopted by congres;
, | must be allowed to say that L differ en-
D tirely from that senator in regard to tn
+; effect and in regard to the character c
that election 1t is true there is larg
number Of republicans in the norlher
: states who are opposed to negro suilraG
in their own states. 1t results from
: prejudice which has not yet been eonquel
S ed. They argue in this way, that there
f no necessity for negro suffrage in Indian
and in other northern states for tn
= protection of the colorel race, or eve
c for the safety Of the country, Lat event
o have forced them to the conviction tha
c there is necessity for it in the souther
r states and therefore many persons who
It know are opposed to negro suffrage in Il
G diana or Ohio, because they say there
:. no necessity for it there, are equally stron
C in favor of it for the purpose OF sastainiu
| loyal state govern ments in all the south
t, ern states. If the question was submitte
" to the people Of New York as to whethe