Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-09-25
VOLUME 35, NO. 46.

ms day TO expel the undersigned members
from the seats TO which they have been le-
gaiiy elected. ior no improper conduct on
heir part. and for no other legal reason
or pretended cause. exccp, their color, the
undersigned. ardently desiring the peace of
society and the prosperity of the State. and
determined TO 10 all in their power to a.
void bloodshed or war Of races, have decid-
cd to suffer wrongs for time, rather than
attempt TO redress them in a manner that
may in this time OF high political excite.
lnent, produce civil strife.
! For these considerations the undersigned
Will abide 10y the decision of this House.
and will peacefully retire from the seats IN
which they consider themselves legally en-
titled But before doing so, the UNDER
signed. as the representatives of their race
consisting OF over SOC, 900 citizens and over
10000 legal electors OF this State. in the
name OF toe State. whose peaceful citizens
they are, whose laws they have obeyed,
and whose wh;te women and children lhey
supported aEd protected when their brs-
bands, fathers and brothers were upon dis
tant battle fields in the service Of the Con.
fcderate States. in the name OF ia stice and
'iial equality before The laws 10 which thew
are entitled. in the name OF peace and hu-
manity. without which arnarchy and confu.
sion must take the place of good govern.
ment. stability and protection OF life and
property, and in the name OF that friend.
ship and good understanding. which is their
interest and their ardent desire 10 cultivate
with the white race, do hereby enter their
solemn protest against the outrage pcrpe-
iratcd upon the race by the action of this
House and they hereby give notice that
they will appeal at the proper time to the
Uni e States and the justice OF the Ameri-
can people, to redress the grievances TO
which they are subjected by the intolerant
and oppressive conduct OF the dominant par.
~ IN this House. who. while part of their
members were in danger Of losing their
seats. on account Of ineligibility and under
the Fourteenth Constitutional amendment.
met the colored members of The House in a
spirit OF Cancellation and kindness during
''' '''''SN'H 'ioH' Oul VINO, WbeH they had
obtained All erI Ioneous decision OF the House
IN their favor, which enables them TO retain
seats TO which, under the Constitution Of
'hc United States they are not entitled on
account OF their participation in the REBEL.
ion, forget that Congress has power under
said constitutional amendment TO pass all
laws and establish all courts or tribunals
necessary to carry out said amendment.
and that. by the judgment of such tribunals,
they may yet be compelled to vacate seats
illegally held by hcm, and who now make
war on The rights o. colored members and
DIVE them from The hall. The undersipn-
ed respectfully demand that this their pro-
test may be entered upon The journal Of the
House.
The despised black man looms up in
this discussion and il sense OF Justice has
not utterly iorsaEen the Anglo Saxon heart
the coming elections will show that the lof-
ty spirit OF these men and the inconcciva-
b!e mearcss. treachcry and cowardice Of
their oPpressors. arc duly appreciated.