The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-04-16
COL DEM. ---V0b. XXXIII.. NO. 9.


that they would sustain their Chicago
platform, and would leave the question
of suffrage in all the Northern States
under the control of the people. They
are continued in power, and now feel
ing secure In that power for the next
four years, they at once proceed to inflict
this iniquitous measure upon an out
ragged people. .r. H .rl..
They expect by so doing i'm Pennsyl-
vania to add to their voting population
some $1,000 votes. They may accom-
plish it-they may retain their power,
especially if they can still by fraud and
deceit retain those in their ranks whom
they have so often deceived before un-
der the plea that the preservation of the
Union and not negro suffrage and negro
equality was the cornerstone OF the Re-
publican party. .3n
But the right of suffrage in Pennsyl.
vania is right reserved by the State,
and the General Government can have
no control over the subject whatever.
Section two of article nine of the Con.
stitution of Pennsylvania provides
"That all power is inherent in the
people, and all free governments are
founded on their authority" and sec.
tion twenty-six of the same article is as
follows: "TO guard against transgres-
sions of the high power we have delega-
ted, we declare that everything in this
article is excepted out of the general
powers Of the Government, and shall
forever remain inviolate"
The trainers OF our State Constitution
were SO jealons of the rights of the peo-
pie, and so fearful that their sacred
rights might be infringed, that they
provided in articlesten that all amend
ments must be agreed to by two success.
sive Legislatures, and then submitted
to vote of the people, and ratified by
them before becoming part of the or
( ganic law; and yet the Republican
members of the Pennsylvania Senate,
disregarding the provisions of the Con
stitution of their own State, and their
obligations as Senators, assume the right
of refusing the people the privilege of
voting upon this proposition which tow
ers infinitely above any proposition to
, change the Constitution of the State of
Pennsylvania;oreve even the right toremon
, strate against this iniquity, and claim
. for themselves the right in three short
hours time, and under the action of the
r previous question, to gag this Senate
4 and attempt to force negro rosuflrage upon
q our unwilling people. ....
If the right of suffrage in Pennsylva
mia must be extended, why not frs
+ give it to our mothers, our wives, oul
daughters-the white women of the
r State? Are they not equally as meritori
4 Gus, rs intelligent as the illiterate negro
- What have they done that the blacl
# man shall be placed not only on al
equality with them, but elevated abov
them
10 Where are our young men betwee
a. the ages of eighteen and twenty-on
:, years, who filled the ranks of our army
!. and bravely rallied round and defende
O. the fagofour country, ,and won for them
selves immortal fame battling for tn
ct preservation of the Union Are the
20 not as intelligent and as worthy of til
of elective franchise as the negro?
n. Why will you place the ballot in tn
10 black mans hand ,and have these youn
men stand to one side IN the electio
,t day whilst the negro marches to I'll
!. polls and votes ? Shame upon a part
,r that would atteming to commit such a
outrage.
10 Senators are assumed powers that tn
of trainers Of the Constitution of Pennsy
,s vania never dreamed of giving to til
y Legislature. Standing in their plac,
in this Senate chamber, they are a
De tempting to rob the people of one
nc their dearest rights. They will lie an
~ wered in tones Of thunder by an ind.
Nv mat and outraged people in the ne:
Il elections.
nj The people will take this matter in
m their own hands, and will elect as Go
n. ernor and members CT the Legislatul
10 men who believe in the rights of IL
q. people, and who will undo the wror
be this Legislature has committed /; ar
they will elect members of the Supren
ha Court who will declare this amcndmc
II. null and void, and of no binding eiie
N upon the people of Pennsylvania.
#. GEORGE ID. JACKSON.
r