Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-01-23

IN that direction cOnsign eu many
members Of the Legislature to the
repose Of private life. But | am
not aware that any evil results JUS
tilted these apprehensions, or tint
any effort was ever made TO impose
the disabilities. On the contrary,
the new policy, If may call II so,
has been found so consistent with
justice to the negroes and the inter
ests of the whites, that no one
certainly no party--in Ohio, would
be willing to abandon it."
An effort 10 secure to all citizens
equal political rights, was made in
the State Constitutional Convention
Of 1851. Only thirteen out Of one
hundred and eight members in that
body, voted in its favor; and it is
probable that less than one-tenth Of
the voters of the State would then
have voted to strike the word white
out of the Constitution.
The last General Assembly sub
mitted to the people a proposition
to amend the State Constitution so
as to abolish distinctions in political
rights based upon color. The prop
osition contained several clauses
not pertinent to its main purpose,
under which, if adopted, it was be-
lieyed by many that the number Of
white citizens who would be dis
franchised would be much greater
than the number Of cOlored citizens
who would be allowed the right Of
suffrage. Notwithstanding the prop
osition was thus hampered, it re-
ceiyed 22G,9S7 votes, or nearly for
ty-fve per cent. of all the votes
cast in the State. This result shows
great progress in public sentiment
since the adoption of the Constitu-
ton of 1851, and inspires the friends
Of equal political rights with q con-
fdent hope that in 1871, when the
opportunity is given to the people,
by the provisions of the Censtitu-
ton, to call a Constitutional Con-
vention, the organic law of the State
will be so amended as to secure in
Ohio to all the governed an equal
voice in the government.
But whatever reasonable doubts
may be entertained as to the proba-
Bile action Of the people of Ohio
on the question Of an extension of
the right of suffrage when a new
State Constitution shall he formed,
| submit with confidence Tat moth
ing has occurred which warrants
the opinion that the ratification BY
the last General Assembly of the
Fourteenth Amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States, was
not in accordance with the deIiber-
ate and settled convictions of the
people. If any fact exists which
justifies the belief that they now
wish that the resolution should be
by which the assent of
Ohio was given to that important
amendment, it has not been brought
to the attention of the public
Omitting all reference to other val
liable provisions, it may be safely
said that the section which secures
all the States of the Union
equal representation in the House
of Representatives and in the Elec-
toral Colleges in proportion to the
voting population is deemed of vi
tai Importance by the people of
Ohio. Without now raising the
grave question as to the right of a
State to withdraw its assent, which
has been constitutionally given to a
proposed amendment of the FEEDER
al Constitution, l respectfully sug-
gest that the attempt which is now
to withdraw the assent of
Ohio to the Fourteenth Amendment
to the Federal Constitution be post
poned until the people shall again
have an opportunity to give ex-
preston to their will. In my judg-
ment, Ohio will never consent that
he whites of the South, large
of whom were lately in re-
Jellion, shall exercise in the gov
of the Nation as much DO
itical power, man for man, as the
'ame number of white citizens of
ohio, and be allowed in addition
hereto, thirty members of Congress
md of the Electoral Colleges for
.olored people deprived of every
privilege.
In conclusion, 1 am happy to be
Lble to adopt as my own tue senti-
nents so fifty expressed by the
speaker of the House of Repre-
entatives of the present General
Assembly. 1 sincerely hope that
he legislation of the General AS
iembiy, and the administration of
he State Government in all its
may be characterized by
economy, wisdom and prudence
hat craftsmanship, patriotism and
philanthropy may be manifest in
very act. and that all may be done
nder the guidance of that Provi-
ence which has hitherto so signally
and blessed our State and
Nation.
The oath of Office was admins
cred by Chief Justice Day, after
'hich the two branches of the Cen
raj Assembly retired to their Cham
ers, and Governor Hayes and his
riends to the Governors apart
lents.