The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-04
To The Voters Ina the Vacant s.egisia-
tive Districts:


The Governor has called special cleo
ton, to be held on the 23d instant, to fill
the seats of the Senators and Representa-
lives who resigned their places in the
General Assembly, rather than to permit
the Legislature of Indiana to ratify the
proposed Amendment to the Constitu-
ton of the United States that will, if
adopted by three-fourths OF the States,
force universal negro suffrage and negro
political equality. This issue was not in
the last political canvass. Neither the
last Congress nor the present Legislature
of Indiana were elected TO adopt such an
amendment to the Constitution. ON the
contrary it was question that was dis
tinctly repudiated by both parties. To de-
feat its ratification by the present legisla-
ture, your Representatives and Sen
ators were left no remedy but to resign.
They did so not only TO vindicate their
own sentiments, but those held by you
and by the great majority of the white
voters of Indiana. 1t now becomes your
duty TO stand by these men, who were
true to their constituencies. They, and
they alone, must be returned. The sim
gle issue presented is negro suffrage, and
the consequences that will follow its es-
adjustment. Every voter in the vacant
legislative districts, who is in favor OF
maintaining this as a White Mans Gov
eminent, to be administered by Thite
men, without regard to past party assoc
Citations, should so cast his vote on Tues
day, the 23d of March.
The election is near at hand. Meas
ures should he promptly taken to bring
out every voter who is opposed to the
adoption Of the negro voting amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
states. Let the voice of the people be
heard in condemnation of this act of Con-
gress, which the majority were afraid to
submit to the people for approval or rejec-
ton.
The best rebuke TO the dominant party
in the LEGISLATURE that was ready and de-
termined TO force negro suffrage and
equality upon YOU and upon the State,
without permitting the people pass upon
it at a general election, is to re-elect the
Senators and Representatives that pre-
ferred to resign their seats rather than
permit the wrong. Elect them by in
creased majorities, so that they may feel
they are sustained at home.
IL the close counties or districts the
Radicals will use every means to prevent
the return of the members who have re-
signed-hence the importance-nay, the
necessity, of prompt and vigorous eff
forts to defeat the designs of the Radicals,
and to triumphartiy sustain the men who
have done their duty, regardless of all
personal cOnseq leIces.
Once more we say: Re vigilant, be
active, be thorough in your efforts in this
crisis--for if Indiana ratifies the negro
voting Amendment, negro suffrage and
centralized power Will be fastened upon
the country. Let the result upon the
sd instant give the cheering intelligence
that Indiana places herself at the head OF
movement and organization that will
revolutionize the country politically, and
restore the better and purer days of the
Republic.
By order of the Democratic State Centra
Committee.
J. ]. BINGHAM, Secretary.
INDIANAPOLIS, March s, 1869.