The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1867-09-05
TTTE POT,TTTCAL DISCUSSION.

Judge johnson, at keystone Furnace.
There was a large crowd, perhaps from
four to Eve hundred people, men and
women. The meeting was held in a
grove, there was good platform for
the speakers, and seats for the people.
The crowd listened with the greatest
interest to both speakers,
Mr. DUNCAN opened by saying that
there is difference in opinion between
the two parties, as to reconstruction.
The Republican party claims that there
is no power over reconstruction, but
that Of Congress, and that it is ma
tional question over which State has
no jurisdiction.
But the amendment to the constitu-
ton of the State OF Ohio is peculiarly a
local question, over which we have
Jurisdiction. The amendment proposes
to permit black men to vote, and give
them equal privileges before the law.
l claim that the Democratic party had
nothing to do with thrusting this ques-
ton before the people. This amend
ment not only proposes to give the
right to negroes to vote, but it disfran-
chises four or FIVE times as many white
men. / am pretty we'll acquainted with
the people Of Bloomfield township, and
it is reported that you would never per-
NIT negro to settle or reside in the
township, Or stop long enough to chop
cord wood at the furnaces for few days.
Now if you want negro equality, l have
no quarrel with you. Make your bed,
and then lie upon it. If you do want
negro equality, do not blame me with it.
There is not enough intelligence now,
even among the white voters. We are
not any of US too well aoer,cd in the
principles of our Government. Then
when you add on seven thousand igno-
ramusos, you only make them the tools
of demagogues' am not prepared to
see that this will be any benefit to the
country. Let the negroes vote, but do
not let intelligent white women vote
will you1 AS for my part, would
rather let intelligent white women vote
first, and then let the negro come in at
the tail end.
Let us see what will be the effect
Every voter has the right to be juror.
We can take the negro into the jury
box, and thus you give him legal, po-
litical and social equality. When you
let him vote, all minor laws must give
way. Negroes will go to school with
your children. What will be tho fur
ther workings of this thing. In nearly
all the States surrounding us, negroes
are disfranchised. In Indiana they are
not permitted to live. Negroes are
anxious to vote, and being disfranchised
in tho surrounding States, fifty times as
many will come in, and here they car
! vote, hold office, and their children car
go to school with white children. They
will come in by the thousand, and will
: bid under white men, and then the poor
white men will have to work with then
on a social equality, and white men vii
be run out, or have to work upon social
) equality with negroes. And addition
men who skulked the draft, or minors
who technically deserted are disfran
| chised. Congress have attempted t.
t remedy this matter.
t Brother johnson, who is here to de
bate with me to-day, was opposed t.
=, this part of the amendment up unto |
short time ago. Now he is all right
and was set right by Ben. Wade.
One thing more. If you are opposed
to negro equality, you have some reaso1
for it. If SO, do not bO dragged int
this thing Have some manhood abou
you. Your leaders will tell you, "i
y you cannot vote for the amendment
J vote the ticket" But il should, b
any accident be elected to the Legisla
ture, and proposition should be mad
; to amend the constitution of the Unite,
States, giving negroes the right to vote
| would die before | would vote t
ratify, ]. Edward Jones would b
compelled to give his vote for the rati
fication. Then do not vote for any me
who are in favor of this measure. Bu
: it will be said that if you do not vot
for these men, you will have to vote 70
a q Copperhead. Well If you wOul
4 rather vote for nigger than copper
/, head, so be it. If you would rathc
l. spite yourselves, and bring negro equa
ity, than to vote for copperhead,
you can stand it, can. Do not entai
upon your children niger equality, ]
10 is n boon | do not wish TO transmit [