The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-11-24
The Question of Universal Suffrage.
From the Cincinnati Commercial. lse E -

The Qnestion of Universal Suffrage.
! From the Cincinnati Commercial. - ~
The people of the States of lows and
Minnesota have taken hold Of the ques-
ton of negro suffrage, and disposed Of
it finally, by abolishing all absurd dis
ordinations. We say finally, for there
is no retrogression where prejudices un-
supported by reason and common sense
go down in the march Of enlightened
progress.
1t is not probable that in either Of
these States there is any particular af-
fection or admiration for the negro, nor
is it likely that there will be greater
danger of the social equality of the
races than in Ohio or Michigan, where
it has been thought necessary for the
vindication of the superiority Of the
white race. to continue the political dis
qualification of men Of color.
One has but TO attend the polls on an
election day to witness tho pitiful and
powerful farce enacted under the visible
admixture system of Ohio. When ,
man of mixed blood presents himself to
vote. the judges of election are consti-
tuted a committee of investigation of
his lineage. This is necessary to deter
mine the exact amount Of negro blood
that courses through his veins and
fushes into his face as the customary
questions are put to him under oath. II,
in the opinion Of the judges, the white
blood preponderates. if he is more than
a quadroon and less than mulatto, his
vote is received; if the black blood is
in excess, he is denied a privilege that,
on the sound Democratic principle of NJ.
taxation without representation, he !,
clearly entitled to. ~ 80 i
If unreasoning prejudice eve; drew
more absurd and imbecile line of die
tinction between man and man, we hav.
yet to hear Of it.. 1t is a reproach t.
the intelligence of the people of Ohio.
and an offense to all idea of equality
Were the distinction founded upon prop
erty or education, and made without re
ference to race or color, it would be tol
erable; but there is absolutely no de-
tense, whatever, to be made for a sys
tenn that determines political qualities
tion by the presence or absence of q
ounce more or less Of African or eau
casian blood az SEQ SEQ ssa
p We speak Of this now, when the cleo.
tions are over, and when no politica
motive can be imputed. 1t is desirabl.
that the people of Ohio should conside
it dispassionately, and no time is NOR.
favorable than the present, when tn
crisis is past and the voice Of partisan i
silent. We appeal to their good sense
their judgment, their sense of equity
ought not this absurdity to 60 the wa
of the Black Laws and other relics of
barbarism that were wrenched out O.
American soil by the violence Of th;
great civil conflict p e .#.
We shall never rid ourselves of thi.
troublesome question till we have thg
courage and the manhood to take hol
Of and deal with it as the people of Iows
and Minnesota have dealt with it. Be
lieving, ourselves, in impartial suffrage .
and regarding all Determinations base 9a
upon race and color as abominations
creating inequalities that are not just
fed by reason, and should not be allow.
ed to exist in State that processes t.
deal justly and fairly with its citizen -
we insist upon reconsideration of thl.
question by the good people Of Ohiei.
If it be not now, yet it will come. Thl,
agitation of questions springing froi ;
the inequalities of right and privilege, p
will never and ought never to cease, till =
the citizens of the State. native or ADOPT .
ed, white or black. are recognized ali
equally entitled to all civil and polite il
the fulfllment of the condi 2
tions thereof being left to their own e,
ergy and enterprise. Make the cond -
tions what you please, but let them be;i-
impartially upon all. To prescribe mel,
born into the world under ban vhitsl
no effort of their own can possibly ri
move, is an injustice that must be dor,
away if we hope to remain a harmoniors,
and happy people. secure under gol
ernment that, as it tolerates no unju II
finds its strength and the
assurance Of its prosperity in the affe
lions and interests of all alike #a
To KEEP THE FEET DRY.-We notie;.
IN our exchanges numerous recipes for
making shoe leather waterproof, mott
of them compounds, involving consideI
able trouble in preparation and more cir
ess expense, and none of them half ei,