The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1868-01-23


Der Of colored citizens who would be
4 allowed the right of suffrage. Not
withstanding the proposition was thus
hampered, it received 216,787 votes,
or nearly forty-fve per cent. ofall the
votes cast in the State. This result
shows great progress in public senti-
ment since the adoption Of the Consti-
tuition of 1851, and inspires the friends
of equal political rights, with a conf
dent hope that in 1871, when the op-
POrtunity is given the people, by the
provisions of the Constitution, to call
a Constitutional Convention, the or
ganic 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 probable
action of the people of Ohio on the
question of an extension of the right
of suffrage, when q new State COnsti-
tuition will be formed, 1 submit with
confidence that nothing has occurred
which warrants the opinion that the
ratification by the last General Assem-
| bly, of the Fourteenth Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States,
was not in accordance with the delib-
crate and settled convictions of the
| people. That amendment was, after
the amplest discussion, upon an issue
distinctly presented, sanctioned by a
large majority of the people. Ifany
fact exists which justifes the belief
that they now wish that the resOlu-
ton should be repealed, by which the
assent of Ohio was given to that inn
pOrtant amendment, it has not been
brought to the attention of the pub
| lie. Omitting all reference to other
valuable provisions, it may be safely
said that the section which secures
among all the States of the Union
equal representation in the House of
Representatives, and in the Electoral
Colleges, in proportion to the voting
populations is deemed of vital impOr-
tance 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
eOnstitutionalIy given to a proposed
amendment of the Federal COnstitu-
ton, respectfully suggest that the
attempt which is now making, to with
draw the assent of Ohio to the Four
teenth Amendment to the Federal
Constitution, be postponed until the
people shall again have an OppOrtuni-
ty to give expression TO their will. In
my Judgment, Ohio will never con-
sent that the whites of the South, a
large majority Of whom were lately
in rebellion, shall exercise in the gov
ernment of the nation as much politi-
cal power, man for man, as the same
number ofwhite citizens of Ohio, and
be allowed in addition thereto, thirty
members of Congress and Of the
Electoral Colleges for colOred people
deprived of every political privilege.
In conclusion, 1 am happy to be
ableto adopt as my own the srnti-
ments so ftly expressed by the Speak
er Of the House of Representatives of
the present General Assembly. I sin
cprely hope that the legislation of the
General Assembly and the admins
tratign Of the State Government in all
its branches, may be characterized by |
economy, wisdom and prudence |
that craftsmanship, patriotism and
philanthropy may be manifest in every
act, and that all may be done under
The guidance of that Providence which
has so signally preserved and blessed
our State and Nation. |
At the conclusion of the delivery Of
the inaugural, the oath of Office was
to Gen. Hayes by
Judge Day, Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court.
The Governor was then conducted
to the Executive OHiee, where he was
visited by a large number of the
citizens, and those from
abroad in attendance upon the inau-
guration ceremonies.
The Lieutenant Governor was inau-
gurated in the Senate Chamber. After
receiving the oath Of Office from JUS
tiCe White, of the Supreme Court, he
was introduced to the Senators by
Lieut.. Gov. MeBirney, who sa i'd:
"SENAToRs: My term of Office, as
prescribed by the Constitution Of your
State, is now closed. I thank you for
the uniform Kindness and liberality
you have manifested toward me du-
ring the brief term l have presided
over your body.
81 now introduce to you, as my sue
cessor, General John G. Lee, in whom
you will find an able and faithful pre-
siding officer"
ADDRESS OF LIEUT.. GOV.
LEE.
General Lee then addressed the
Senate in the following language:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE :
The nomination, the canvass, and the
election are over. We are here, act
ors in the Senate of Ohio. You can
speak the voice of a constituency three
fold that of a Representative A SEN
ate of thirty-seven, you are of equal
power with House of one hundred
and five. Your three-fOld measure
Of power gives three-fOld ratio of
This Chamber has,
and can have, in its rules more of lib /
srality; in its action, more of deliber-
alton has but one-third as many
minds to bring into harmony Of Opin-
ion has fewer subjects for consider
alton, and hence should have less !
haste, more maturing Of cOnsidera- I
lion, evince more wisdom, and give
symmetry and higher per-
lection to legislation. Any promise =
IS to the discharge of the duties Of
this Chair, is better, perhaps, not
made. There is, however, a purpose, c
and there will be an endeavor to OBJ {
serve the organic and statutory laws, :
Federal and State, in SO far as they
apply to the rules of the Senate and