Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-09-13
a RESULT or MANHOOD SUFFRAGE
IN OHIO.


In Ohio there are probably at this
time, almost 10000 eOlored men above
the age of twenty one years. This es-
innate is based on the estimate of two
thirds of the counties of the State, (nOt
including Hamilton and some other
large cOunties) which shows a cOlored
voting population of 6,O35. We have
assumed from this that the aggregate
will be about 10, 600 IN the entire State.
| Of these probably 1000 vote already,
under the decision of the Supreme
| Court, being less than one half black.
By the adoption of the amendment,
| therefore, we will confer the right of
suffrage on 5000 coIored men, in a
voting population Of 100000, or one
/ colored vote to 78 whites. And it is
from this mere handful of votes that
we are to look for such dire results as
are predicted by the Democratic ora
cles. These figures will most clearly
demonstrate the ridiculous absurdity
of Ehe democratic fustian on this sub
iect, and should effectually close their
mouths for the future.
There is another view of the subject,
however, which has doubtless been ta-
ken by these same gentlemen, but they
are too cautious to make a public eX-
bibitiOn of it. Examining the census
of colored votes by counties, we find
that the adoption of manhood suffrage
will change the political complexion
(nO witticism intended of several
counties that are now extremely doubt
full, or regularly democratic. For ex-
ample, Ross county, In 1865 gave a
democratic majority of lob, while she
has 1853 men who should be voters, and
will be when we adopt the amendment,
every one of whom will vote the Re
publican ticket, giving a majority that
makes Ross reliably Republican, elects
a member of the House all the time,
and places the Senatorial district be-
yOnd doubt.
Brown county in 1865 gave a Demo
cratic majority of 269, which her col
ored voters will easily wipe out and
leave handsome margin for a Repub-
lican member of the House.
The Democratic majority of 312 in
Pickaway will be very much demoral-
ballots, and the hard-Working and
faithful Union men there will soon be
able to overcome the balance.
In 1866 Clermont county elected Col.
Branch, a Democrat, to the House, to
9
which result will be much modified
when her 307 cOlored men are enfran-
chised
The energetic Union men of Bel
mont will be able to score a more reli-
able majority, and with less hard work,
when the 203 colored men of that
county are permitted to vote, and she
will no longer be classed among the
doubtful. with her two representatives.
There are other counties similarly
situated, but from which we have no
returns. Muskingum, for example,
where in 1865 we had but SO majority,
in consequence of which her noble
Uniouists are working with uuexam-
pied viROr, would feel entirely easy as
to the election of her two Representa- |
tives and one Senator, if her 400 ne
groes were enfranchised, and she would
take her stand among the reliable
Union counties.
This may be regarded as a selfish !
appeal to our friends in behalf of the |
amendment, but it is such anappeal as !
will reach many men on whom any ar |
gumeBt as to the abstract justice of |
manhood suffrage would be lost. The |
arguments of the opposition are direc-
ted 10 the most grovelliDg prejudices |
Oftheir followers, without any pretense |
of discussing the merits of the ques- |
tion, which they dare not touch
Union men feel that the success of |
their party now is the only guaranty |
for national safety, aud the securing of |
the legitimate fruits Of our great viz |
tory over treason. To achieve this |