The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-06-25

do? /, myself, as long as TWO years
ago, declared In public speeches that,
whenever the Fourteenth Amend
ment (Which | then opposed1 became
a part of the Constitution, i should
advocate the enfranchisement OF the
black man in Kentucky.
Bear In mind this is only my opin-
ion, for which 20 other person or
party Is responsible. The Chicago
Convention says il is matter for the
people of this State alone to dispose
of, without interference from with
out. The people of Kentucky need
not care. about 1t; when they wish to
do so, they can enfranchise the black
If they do not desire it, they can let
it alone. w eEsH 7a'u
But remember, also, that | say that
I love Kentucky, my mother; too
truly, ever by any fault OF mlae, to
see her degraded in the rank OF
States, or shorn of her political power
and influence.
[ will not sacrifice Kentucky for
all time to come to my predjudices.
Before the war we represented
three .ffths of our slaves. Now the
ten revolving States represent i've
fifths-alll Shall Kentucky sink
from her high rank down to the level
of the smallest State, refusinG to rep
resent any?
We have a vital interest in this
matter. The Constitutional Amend
ment will be adopted in spite Of US.
The Democratic party cannot help
as. 1t furnished Congressman enough
to pass the 18th Amendment
could not, if it would, stop this one.
1t is a question, therefore, for every
thinking man, whether we can afford
to have our power in Congress and the
college curtailed, on account of pre-
JUDGE against the black man.
The number of blacks IN the
Southern States in 1860 was about
100000. Let us say that the war has
kept that population stationary. We
will start with basis in 1870 of
4, 480, 900 blacks. This will not be at
their former rate Of increase, as the
blacks do not thrive as fast in free
dom as in slavery. By comparison
of statistics, we find that their in
crease in the future cannot be put at
more than fifteen per cent. IN ten.
years, instead of twenty three per
cent, the rate of increase in the ten
years previous to the war
So in 1900. we would have $500, 600
blacks in the South. all represented
save In Kentucky We had In Ken.
lucky, IN 1860, $4,000, which will
give us In 1900 about 1854, 000 The
ratio of the number of blacks in Ken
lucky, in my opinion, increases in.
stead of diminishes as they come in
frem other States. Now the states
manship which advises Kentucky to
submit to the reduction Of her strength
this amendment will cause, when she
can avoid it, by an act where policy
and Justice meet, will not, In my
opinion, stand the test of criticism in
the future; and think there will be
no party in five years in Kentucky
that will advocate it. Write that
down, though [ am no prophet nor
the son of prophet.
Let us, gentlemen, be a little can
did. Is not universal suffrage already
here? Is there any power on the
face of the globe that can roll it back ?
Does not the tide set that way all over
the world? The African in ten States
folds the ballot; it would be just as
easy to enslave him again as to take
the ballot away from him. What
PARTY will undertake the work2
Why abuse me? These are the
facts-l did not make them; / can
not claim any part of the credit the
world awards the doors. Mine only
be the modest merit that recognizes
the work when done, and compre-
hends, in part, its magnitude, and the
high meaning it symbolizes.
A RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF THE
POOR.
| take it for granted, therefore, my
fellow-eitiZeDs, that whatever party
comes into power in 1869, the basis of
representation of these States has
been permanently changed. The
importance of being fully represented
according to the weight of our popu-
lation in that Congress which de-
clares war, makes peace, levies enor-
nous taxes, and disposes of the great
| business of this nation will address
itself with force to the minds and
consciences of rejecting prudent men
everywhere in the State. Whoever
can show a hope for different state
of things for the future (if he dare
call 1t hOpe), would have hoped on
at the deluge after ali the world was
In the sea. Let Us take comfort; the
revolution that has occurred means
peace and progress, because it means
Liberty and Justice. 1t is not revo-
luton il favor oftpatrietism or privi-
lege of the strong ard powerful, the
rich or titled, but in favor of the
poor, the humble, and the ignorant;
the very most poor and ignorant of