The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-01-17

many that the number of white citi-
zens who would be disfranchised
would be much greater than the num-
Der of colored citizens who would be
allowed.the right of suffrage. Not
withstanding the proposition was
thus hampered, IT received 2l6, 1887
votes, or nearly forty-five per cent.
of all the votes cast in the State
This result shows great progress in
public sentiment since the adoption
OF the Constitution of 1851, and in
spires the friends of equal political
rights with confident hope that in
1871, when the opportunity Is given
to the people, by the provisions of the
Constitution, to call a Constitutional
Convention, 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 will be formed, l submit
with confidence that nothing has oc-
Cured which warrants the opinion
that the ratification by the last Cen
eral Assembly of the Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, was not ia accordance
with the deliberate and settled con-
vitions of the people. That amend
ment was, after the smplest discus
sion, upon an issue distinctly pre-
sented, sanctioned by large major
ity of the people. If any fact exists
which justifies the belief that they
now wish that the resolution should
be repealed, by which the assent OF
of Ohio was given to that important
amendment, 1t has not been brought
to the attention of the public. Omit
ting all reference to other valuable
provisions, it may be safely said that
the section which secures among all
the States of the Union equal repre-
sentation in the House of Represen-
tatives, and in the Electoral Colleges,
in proportion to the voting popula
ton, is deemed of vital Importance
bv the people of Ohio. Without now
raising the grave question as to the
right of a State to withdraw its as
sent, which has been constitutionally
given to proposed amendment Of
the Federal Constitution, l respect
fully suggest that the attempt which
is now making, to withdraw the as
sent of Ohio to the Fourteenth
Amendment to the Federal Constitu
tion be postponed until the people
shall again have An opportunity to
give expression to their will. In my
Judgment, Ohio will never consent
that the whites of the South, large
majority Of whom were lately in re-
bellion, shall exercise in the govern
ment 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
members of Congress and of the
Electoral Colleges for colored peo-
pie deprived of every political privi-
lege.
In conclusion, / am happy to be
able to adopt as my own the senti-
ments so fitly expressed by theSpeak
sr of the House of Representatives
of the present General Assembly. i
hope that the legislation of
the General Assembly and the ad
of the State Government
m all its branches, may be character
lied by economy, wisdom and pru
denee-that craftsmanship, patriot
sm and philanthropy may be mani
Fest in every act, and that all may be
lone under the guidance OF that Prov
dence which has hitherto SO signally
preserved and blessed our State and
Nation.
At the conclusion of the delivery
If the inaugural address the oath of
,ffice was administered to Gen. Hayes
,y Judge Day, Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court.
The Governor was then conducted
% the Executive Office, where he was
Tisited by q large number of our
prominent citizens and those from
abroad in attendance upon the inaug.
Iration ceremonies.
The Lieutenant Governor was in
in the Senate Chamber.
After receiving the oath of Office from
Justice White, Of the Supreme Court,
le was introduced to the Senators by
lieut.. Gov. McBirney, who said:
SENATORS: My term of Office, ~
by the Constitution of
our State. is now closed. ! thank
'ou for the uniform kindness and lib
rality you have manifested toward
ne during the brief term l have pre-
ided over your body.
II now introduce to you, as my
uccessor, General John C. Lee, in
HON you will find an able and faith
IL presiding officer"
Gen. Lee then addressed the Sen
b in q few words regarding its duty
nd his ras presiding officer, after
hich q resolution OF thanks to Hon.
). G. McBirney was offered for the
and able manner in which
g had discharged his duties as Pres