Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-01-15
The snfrage Question.
H0n. Hanry wIlson wrIsea . tba =

Hon. Henry Wilson writes to the In
dependent;
The first section of the Fourteenth
Article Of the Amendment, now = part
Of the Constitution, declares 'tthat no
State shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or
immunities of citizens ol the United
States." This article empowers Con-
gress to enforce by appropriate legisla-
tion the provisions Of the article. Does
not the denial by any State to the eiti-
zens of the United States of the right to
vote Habridge the privileges or immun-
itfes of the citizens of the United
States?n This section of tho Fourteenth
Article of the Amendment was drawn
By John A. Bingban1y of Ohio. the same
gentleman who proposed the Amend
naent to the Reconstruction Act, giving
ee1ored men in the Rebel States the
right of Suffrage and to whom as much
as, If not more than, to any other mem
bsr of Congress are the cOlored men Of
those States indebted for that priceless
privilege. Mr.. bingham believed, when
he proposed tins consLlIltlonaI Ateenq-
ment, declaring that mo state
shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or InIaunl-
ties of the, fi,t43zs4sss World be eTo.
powered to so IegiSlate as TO Insure the
right of suffrage to American citizens
C3Heurring g with Mr.. Bingham IN this
opinion, I introduced into the present
Congress-, on the 23d of March, 1867, a
bill ITO regulate the elective franchise
in the United States." This bill, after
reciting the first section of the Four
teenth Article of the Arnendr9czzbi Trvc~
Vided, under penalty OF fine and im-
Efrisonment, ttthat there shall be no de-
HIal of the elective franchise to any
male citizen Of the United States by any
n rSf rr
previous condition, anything in the
constitution or laws Of any State to the
contrary NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. On the
26th of March, Mr.. Sumner, who be-
lieYed that under the amendment of the
Constitution abolishiRg slavery, Con-
gress was empowered to enfranchise the
black man, introduced q bill 'sto enforce
the several provisions of Che Constitu-
tion abolishing slavery, declaring the
immunities of citizens, and guarantee
ing a republican form of government by
securing the elective franchise to coll
ored citizens.o No action was taken on
either Of these bills.
On the 9Th of March, 1867, Mr.. Hen
derson, Of Missouri, introduced joint
resolution proposing an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
Mr.. Henderson had the honor of intro
ducing the amendment, that was adopt
ed aboliShlng slavery in the United
States. Not. .eOncurrfng with Mr.. Sher-
man in the opinion that the amend
ment emancipating the black man en-
powered Congress TO enfranchise him,
Mr.. Henderson moved to amend the
Constitution so as to declare that
tsIHo State shall deny or abridge the
right of its citizens to vote and hold Of
Zee, on account Of race, color, or pre-
Vious condition.
fsFhe Congress, by appropriate legis-
lation, may enforce the provisions Of
this article"
On the I7th Of July, 1867, I introduced
a joint resolution, proposition to
amend the Constitution of the United
States, declaring that
mo distinction shal be made by the
United, nor in any State, among citi-
zens in their civil or political rights on
account Of race, color,o previous condi-
ton"
Mr.. J. NJ. Ashley, of Ohio, on the I'd
! of December, 1867, proposed to amend
the Constitution so as to declare that
Every citizen of the United States
bWenty-One years of age and upward,
Except Indians not taxed and persons
non cOnpos1 shall be an elect0r in any
State or Territory in which they may
/ have resided one year next preceding
| Che election at which they shall offer 10
vote, Each State shall prescribe uni-
form rules for the annual registration Of
electors, and. provide by law against
fraud at elections, and may disfran-
ehise any person for participation in re-
belli0n against the United States, or for
! the commission of an. act which is
felony Rt common laW.s
i The reactionary triumph OF 1867 and
+ the preparations for the great struggle
sof 1868 landed flez-cl3ecHs ssIly tiol5 %
/ Congress on the sunrage quesLIon3 SI-
| ther by legis1ation OF eons15utional
amendment. +,
| The hour for action has now struck,
The nation has passed through a gigan-
| tic conflict, and the Reconstruction pol
/ lev has been triumphantly sustained
| In the States lately IN rebellion nearly
/ three-quarters of million Of colored
| unen-more than three-fourths OF all the
1 coIored men of the country-have the
right to vote aud be voted for, guaran-
teed to them by the results of this cleo
/ tiou. The cause of equal suffrage has
! triumphed in Iowa and Minnesota. II
has a majority of tWO-thirdS IN both
/ Houses. tWsnty-seven State legislatures
are Republican,, and new administra-
! ton is coming into power with the gko-
1 rious motto LET Us HAVE PEACE em bla'
zoned upon its banners. Equal rights
! and privileges assured and secured tt
all will more than anything else bring
4 that peace which "will come to stay
Twenty seven States are three-fourth'
/ of the States now represented In Con
/ gress. Virginia, Mississippi and Texas
are yet to be restored TO their practiea
relations, and their votes on this amend
ment can unquestionably be secured
i Now is the moment for action No
a day should be lost. The friends o
| manhood suffrage have now an oppOr
tunity, which may not come again fo
years, to incorporate into the Constitu
tion, without distinction sf color, race
or previous condition, the right of al
male citizens to vote and be voted for
question, no matter how just may be il
claims, should be associated with it {,
complicate or endanger its immediate
success. Let the veteran anti-slaVer,
men, The champions of impartial libert,
, imperatiEely demand that Congress
shall, by legislation or Constitutions
amendment, secure this the crowniny
act of all their triump phs-MANHool
SUFFRAGE.