The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-04
The Greatest Enthusiasm Mani.
tested.

So short was the notice given of the
meeting at Metropolitan Hall last night,
of all persons opposed to the adoption of
the Fifteenth Article of the Constitution,
comforting the right of suffrage without
regard to race or color, and so severe was
the weather that large attendance could
hardly have been expected. 1t was
matter of surprise and qualification, there
fore, and evinced the interest felt in this
subject, that the hall was
crowded to it's utmost capacity during
the whole time, and that hundreds were
turned away from the doors unable to
gain admission. No such enthusiasm has
ever been witnessed here on any similar
occasion. The sentiments of the various
speakers were applauded to echo, and it
was evident that if the wishes of the peo-
pie were consulted negro suffrage could
never be forced upon the people of Indi-
ana.
Themeeting was called to order and on
motion, Hon. Thomas Bowling, OF Terre
Haute, was called to the Chair, and Hon.
j. +. Welborn, of Evansville, appointed
Secretary. On taking the Chair, Colonel
| Bowling addressed the meeting as fol-
lows:
| FELLOW CITIZENS: thank you for this
| kindness, in calling me To preside over
the deliberations of this assembly. 1t is
the first one convened to give expression
to the sentiments OF portion OF the peo-
pie or Indiana on the late attempt to force
negro suffrage on this and other States,
by act of Congress. trust it will not he
the last one in that direction. The time
has come when that question should be
fairly and honestlyamet, nO5 as partisans
of any political party, but as citizens who
desire To keep distinct and separate races
which have never mingled peaceably to-
gether in conducting State or national
government.
The recent proceedings at the Capitol
have attracted the attention of men OF all
parties throughout the State. We have
seen persons elected on one set
of principles and ahjuring the OPP
posIte ideas, turn round i'm few
short days and advocate the very
doctrines which they denounced before
the people at home. How many Senators
and REPRESENTATIVES, during the canvass
of 500 and 1868. advocated negro suffrage
Indiana? Certainly not dozen-proba
bly not half that number. | have known
Init three. and even that few qualified
their approval i'm doubling phrase. 1 have
heard of great many who denounced the
charge of friendship for negro suffrage as
a base SANDER on them and their party
and yet, under the lash of party leaders
at indianapolis, these same persons have
felt or feigned respect for negro suffrage
and wonld probably have voted for rati
fying the Fifteenth amendment but fol
the flank movement of the Democratic
members OF the General Assembly. THAI
movement saved our Republican friend:
from great dishonor, and the State O
, Indiana from great disgrace.
The Democratic members did them
selves infinite honor in refusing to bolt
They did themselves higher honor IN
} resigning. Finding themselves unable t.
: prevent others from violating theil
, pledges, and forcing an obnoxious meas
ure upon the people without their con
, sent, it was the duty of the minority t.
return to the people of the counties TIT