The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-03-31
Resistance to Perhdy In Indiana.

Resistance 70 Perhdy In Indiana.
The Democratic Members of the In
diana Legislature who resigned thei
seats in order to defeat the adoption
of the XVIII amendment, have issueC
an address to the people of that State
I in which they object to the unfairnes
of making such revolutionary change
| in the nature Of our government with
out consulting the people. They quotG
from the platforms of both parties, Il
show that both were pledged to main
tain the States in the absolute contro
of the composition of the elective ele
ment. This distinct passdgefrom the
Chicago iplatform-"the question d
suffrage in ali the States"-apd this
from the Democratic platform at New
York-"the regulation of the elective
franchise in the States by their citi-
Zens" are quoted, and prove the
pledge by both parties, not to disturb
this most essential and important ol
all the rights remaining with the
States. Under such circumstances
they justly regard the proposed a.
mendment as gross breach of plight
ed faith We quote from the address:
The manufacturing and bonded in
terest Of the East, seeing power slip
ping from their grasp-that is, seeing
by the result of the late.electiOns, that,
although for thestime being. they were
successful, yet that white men were
losing confidence in them and their
schemes; that white men were becom-
ing restive under the enormous bur-
dens of taxation now heaped upon
them; they have invented this new
scheme of placing in the hands of
those whom they hope to cOntrol-an
ignorant, irresponsible and depraved
race-the glorious right to fund, up
hold and direct the Government.
II. before the last election, they in
tended to fasten negro suffrage and
negro equality upon the people, and
thus conceal their intention, they were
guilty of fraud upon and tFedche1.y to-
wards the people.
Ifthey had no such intention, then
it Is question which neither they
nor the Democracy had in view when
voting; and being q matter of such
vast Importance, no less than permit
ting some six hundred thousand per-
sons to vote that have not heretofore
exercised that right, it seems 10 US to
be right and proper that the voice of
the people should be taken upon the
question. Even in England, lately,
when the question of the extension OF
suffrage to persons not before exercis-
ing it, was agitated, the Queen pro-
rOgued Parliament, and sent the mem
bers to the people to take their voice
IN the matter by way of a new cleo
lion. This was the action of a mon
archial Government, and certainly
much more should the same principle
prevail In g country where IL is said
he voice of the people is as the voice |
If God. Then let US consult that
voice.
The consideration, so far as it has |
been made, is assuredly adverse to |
he position now taken by those in |
The question of negro /
outrage has, within the lat few years |
)een submitted to the people Of Con-
lecticut, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, |
md Of Kansas, and in each instance |
las been voted down. When thIs |
amendment was before Con-
'reSs the other day, an effort, upon
he part of the Democrats, to again
ubmit ii to the people, though dele
-ated conventions, chosen for that
was voted down by that bod
2, and an effort, also made, to post
zone action by Legislatures until such
legislatures shall have been elected
n view of this question, was also Vot-
d down by that body. In other
words, they refused In any way to
OnsuIt the people on the subject
4eading Republicans from Indiana,
n caucus there, assured the friends of
egro suffrage that If it was ever adop-
ed by Indiana, it must be done with
ut consulting the people, and by a
legislature elected with reference to
II VNNOCFTnWl 1
In conclusion, we would say that, If
IL constitutional and legal barriers
nd middle walls Of partition between
ne races are to be broken down; if
ur schools are to be thrown open. or
III school funds, raised by white men,
re to be divided with this people and
they are to vote, and hold Office,
ad sit as jurors, then will our whole
tates be flooded with this population.
they labor they will come in CON-
elton with, and strike down the wa
eS of white men and woman; if they
i'll not labor, then our pauper asy-
inns, Jails and penitentiaries will be
He'd with them.
If at the special session Of the Leg !
lature to be convened in April, the ,
.adicals again make the attempt to
fifty the Amendment, the new Dem
;raLlc members nave only kC0 resign !
leir seats as before, TO battle, as COM ,
Ieteiy as on Thursday last the auda-
GUS attempt of the Radical majority
} carry the Amendment In slaYish
Oedience to the behest Of Congress,
Ut in defiance of the known senti
tents and wishes Of the people of
lier State. From the resOIute stand {
hich has thus been taken by the
emOcratic members, it now seems
robable that the attempt to force the
1nOxiOus measure will be defeated.
the State were permitted to vote on
its ratification would be oVerwhelm- !
gly defeated. 1t cannot be other
ise than that the people Will every
here resent this unparalleled treach-
y in the face of q solemn pledge
is Infamous attempt to mix and con- Z
und them without their consent,
ith inferior races of Africans and
4 gAD9