Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1868-01-25

the conflicts to which the policy OF MAX
ing distinctions between citizens in civil
and political rights has given rise in Ohio.
The first effort of those who opposed
this policy was to secure to all citizens
equality of civil rights. The result OF
the struggle that ensued is thus given 10y
an eminent and honored citizen OF our
State
''The laws which created disabilities
on the part of negroes in respect TO cifil
rights, we're repealed in the year lS49,
after an obstinate contest quite memora-
bic in the history of the state. Their re-
peal was looked upon with great distavor
by large portion of the people, as
dangerous innovation upon n just and
weIl-settled policy, and a vote I'D that di-
rection consigned many members of the
Legislature to the repose of private lite.
But am not aware that any evil results
justified these apprehensions, or that any
effort was ever made to impose the disa-
biIities, On the contrary, the new poll
cv, if | may call it so, has been found so
consistent with justice to thencgroes ard
the interests of the whites, that no one
certainly no party-in Ohio, would be
willing to abandon it." -.
An effort to secure to all citizens equal
political rights, was made in the Stale
constitutional Convention Of 1851. Only
t, .irtcen out of 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"
ont of the Constitution.
The last General Assembly submitted
to the people proposition to amend the
State Constitutions so as to abolish dis
tinctions in political rights based upon
color. The proposition contained several
clauses not pertinent to its main purpose
under which, if adopted, it was believed
| bv many that the number of white citl-
zens who would be disfranchised woald
be much greater than the number OF
colored citizens who would be allowed
the right of suffrage. Notwithstanding
the proposition was thus hampered, it
received 216, ,GS7 votes, or nearly forty
five per cent, Of all the votes cast in the
state. This result shows great progress
IN pubic sentiment since the adoption Of
the Constitution Of 1851, and inspires the
friends of equal political rights with a
confident hope that in 1871, when the
opportunity is given to the people, by
the provisions of the Constitution, to
call Constitutional Convention, the
organic laws of the state will be so amen
ded as to secure in Ohio to all the gov
erned an equal voice in government.
But whatever reasonable doubts may
be entertained as to the probable action
of the people Of Ohio on the question OF
an extension of the right of suffrage when
a new State Constitution shall be formed
I submit with confidence that nothing
has occurred which warrants the opinion
that the ratification by the last General
Assembly of the Fourteenth Amendment
to the Constitution of the United States,
was not in accordance with the deliberate
and settled convictions of the people
That amendment was, after the ampleSt
discussion, upon an issue distinctly pre-
sented, sanctioned by large majority OF
the people If any fact exists which
iustifies the belief that they now wish
that the resolution should be repealed,
by which the assent of Ohio was given
to that important amendment, it has not
been brought to the public. Omitting
all reference to other valuable provis-
sions, it may be safely said that the sec
ton which secures among all the States
of the Uuon equal representation in the
House of Representatives and in the Elec-
toral Colleges in proportion to the ro-
ting population is deemed Of vital i'm
portance by the people Of Ohio. With
ont now raising the grave question as to
the right of State 10 withdraw its as
sent, which has been consitutionally Civ
Ell to proposed amendment of the Fed
eral Constitution, l respectfully suggest
that the attempt now making to with
draw the assent. of Ohio to the 18th
amendment to the Federal Ccustitu
tion be postponed until the people shall
again have an opportunity to give ex-
preston to their will. In my Judgment
Ohio will never consent that the whites
OF the South, large majority of whom
were lately in rebellion, shall exercise in
the government of the nation as much
political power man for man, as the same
number Of white citizens of Ohio, and be
allowed in addition thereto thirty mem
bers Of Congress and of the Electoral
Colleges, for colored people deprived OF
every polisical privilege.
In conclusion, am happy to be able
to adopt as my own the sentiments SO
fitly expressed by the Speaker Of House
Representat's of the present Gen. Assem-
bly,. 1 sincerely hope that the legislation
of the General Assembly, and the ad-
ministration of the State Government in
all its branches, may be characterized by
economy, wisdom and prudence-that
craftsmanship, patriotism and philanthro
py may be manifest in every act, and
that all may be done under the guidance
Of that Providence which has hitherto SC
signally preserved and bleSt our State and
Nation. . ......-. ........
ROBBERY Of AN On MILLIoNAIRE.-The house
| of John Bennehof, on Bennehoff Hill, neal
Petroleum Centre, was entered about 73O p
m, on the 10th inst, by four men disguised
and robbed of over one hundred thousand dol
lars forty thousand in bonds, the balance il
currency. They presented revolvers at the head:
| of the inmates when they proceeded TO tie MIR