Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-09-06
STOPPING TO COuquer-The Negroes
to be Given Up that They may
be Made Voters by a Comp

STOPPING TO CODquer-The Negroes
TO be Given Up that They may
be Made Voters by a CouI
d,Etat.
The Cincinnati Enquirer. in commenting
upon statement that an Influential
and distinguished citizen of Ohio has writ.
ten to Washington that Ohio would give
10000 or 10000 majority for HAYES, and
carry the Legislature, while Negro Suffrage
will be defeated by 10000 to $4,000 majority
in the State, says:
"-the Radical State Executive Commit.
tee, at Columbus, has issued a secret circu-
lar, in which negro suffrage is given uI
as a direct issue of the party, and the voter
appealed to to stand by the party on the can
didates nominated by it for State and other
offices. Negro suffrage is, therefore, to be
considered henceforth, in the canvass, on
the part of the Radicals, matter of in
difference. to be voted for or not, as the
individual voter pleases, without affecting
his party standing. Such is the spirit and
substance of the secret circulars issued by
the State Radical Executive Committee.
The Radical managers have felt the force
of the public sentiment against Negro SUI
frage to be too strong to be resisted sue
cessfully and that, if insisted on, the State
ticket and the Legislative nominations
would be endangered thereby. They,
therefore, issue to tie faithful political
dispensation, so far as Negro Suffrage is
concerned. This back-down from the only
live issue presented by the Radical State
Convention that nominated Mr.. Hayes for
Governor, is significant and suggestive.
There is something further along. They
drop their only live issue-falter on the
great logical consequence of their negro
policy-knowing that the popular senti-
ment is opposed to it, but expect to secure
the great object by Congressional and State
legislative action. The Radical managers
expect to force the obnoxious measure on
the people, whether they like or dislike the
operation. If they can, by dropping the Ne
gro Suffrage issue, secure members OF the
Legislature who will vote for an amend
ment of the Federal Constitution making
voters of negroes, their object will be ac-
the Constitution of Ohio. The game to be
now played by the Radical managers is one
of deception. Like crafty prize fighters,
they doUge direct blow in order to get a
side hit. They should be made to toe the
mark. Candidates for the Legislature
should be made to define their position on
the question. "If the people vote down
the proposed negro suffrage amendment.
will you vote to impose it on them against
their will and wishes by voting to ratify
an amendment of the Federal Constitution
making negr es voters ?" is question that
should be put to every candidate for the
Legislature. This is the only way the
cowardly back down and dodge can be
met.
There is much reason to believe the tactics
above indicated are those that the Republic
can leaders will follow. Their candidates
for the Legislature seem to understand it,
for they invariably refuse to give pledge
that they will not vote for an amendment
to the Federal Constitution that will make
Ohio negro voting State, no matter how
large the majority OF the next election is
against it.
To prevent this intended coup d'etdt of
the Republican leaders being success the
only way is to vote against Negro Suffrage
and all who favor it. 8s,