The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1868-11-12
The QIestiOn of Universal Suf-
go. frlge.

InS u ICS6IOu OI universal sur
s-s.s. frage.
The people of the States of Iowa
and minnesota have taken hold of
the question of negro suffrage, and
disposed of it finally, by abolishing
all absurd, DETERMINATIONS. We say
finally, for there is-no retrogression
| where prejudices unsupported by
reason and common sense go down
in the march of enlightened pro-
gress.
It is not probable that in either
of these States there is any particu-
lar affection 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 vindica
ton 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 the
pitiful and powerful farce enacted
under the visible aduuixture system
of Ohio. When a man Of mixed
blood presents himself to vote, this
judges of election are constituted
a committee of Investigation of his
lineage. This is necessary to de-
termine the exact amount of negro
blood that courses through his veine
and tlushes into his face as the Gus
tomary questions are put to him I'M
der oath If, in the opinion Of the
judges, the white blood preponder-
ates, if he is more than quadroon
an, less than mulatto, his vote is
I'received if the black lood is in
excess, he is denied privilege that,
on the sound Democratic principle
of no taxation without representa-
ton, he is clearly entitled to.
If unreasoning prejudice ever
drew more absurd and imbecild
line of distinction between man ane
man, we have yet to hear of it. 1t
is reproach to the intelligence of
the people of Ohio, and an offence
to all idea of equality. Were the
distinction founded upon property
or education, and made without
reference to race or color, it would
be tolerable; but there is absolute
ly no defense. whatever, to be made
for a system that determines polit-
ical qualification by the presence or
absence Of. an ounce more or less of
African Or Caucasian blood.
We speak Of this now, when tile
elections are over, and when no po-
litical motive can be imputed. 1t is
desirable that the people of Ohio
Should consider it dispassionately,
and 70 time is more favorable than
the present, when the crisis is past
and the voice of partisans silent.
We appeal to their good sense, their
judgment, their sense Of equity =:
ought not this absurdity to go the
way Of the Black Laws and other
relics Of a barbarism that were
wrenched out Of American soil by
the violence Of the great civil con-
f1ict?
We shall never rid ourselves of
this troublesome question till we
have The courage and the manhood
to take hold Of and deal with it as
the people of Iowa and Minnesota
have dealt with it. Believing, our
selves, in impartial suffrage, and
regarding all determinations based
upon race and color as denominations,
creating inequalities that are not
justified by reason, and should not
be allowed to exist in a State that
processes to deal fairly and justly
with it's citizens, we insist upon a
reconsideration of the question by
the good people of Ohio. IT it be
not now, yet it will come. The ag
itation of questions springing from
inequalities of rights and privileges
will never and ought never to cease,
till the citizens Of the State, native
or adopted, white or black, are
recognized as equally entitled to all
civil and political immunities, the
fulfillment of the conditions thereof
being left to their own energy and
enterprise. Make the conditions
what you please, but let them bear
impartially upon all. To prescribe
men born into the world under q
ban which no effort of their own
can possibly remove, is an injustice
that must be done away if we hope
to remain a harmonious and happy
people, secure under a government
that, as it tolerates no unjust inc,
qualities, finds its strength and the
assurance Of its prosperity in the
affections and Interests of all alike
Cincinnati Commercial