The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-04-16
Reasons for Vote.

IhSssSOhs sVf vOsSs
THE following are the reasons of Mr..
jackson, for his vote on the resolution
ratifying the fifteenth amendment to
the Constitution of the United States:
The action OF the majority of the SEN
ate in calling the previous question on
the passage of Senate bill No. 745, en-
titled Joint resolution to ratify the
amendment TO the Constitution of the
United States, prevented me from Civ
ing my reasons for my vote in OPP
position to the adoption of the said So
called Fifteenth amendment to the Con.
stitution of the United States, as fol-
lows:
"ARTICLE 10. The right of citizens of
the United States to vote shall not |
be denied or abridged by the United |
States, or by any State, on account
of race, color or previous condition of
servitude.
"SEcTIoN 9. Congress shall have pow
er to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation"
This action of the majority is in full
accord with their well known cowardice
and deceit. With deceit rs the corner
stone OF the party, it could scarce be ex
pected that when the party whip was
cracked over their heads, and King Cau
Gus decided that this iniquity should be
accomplished, and the people of the old
Keystone State deprived Of one of their
most sacred rights, that they should
hesitate to put on the gag, call the pre-
vious question, and rush il through the
Senate without that full and free discus
sion which SO great measure should
have received at the hands OF the Senate
of Pennsylvania; and so TAR as the ac-
| ton of the Senate is concerned, the out
rage is accomplished Of taking from
the people the sacred right Of deciding
for themselves who should and who
should not be entitled to the rights of
suffrage in Pennsylvania. In vain we
asked of the Republican Senators to
give the people an opportunity of be.
ing heard through the ballot-box upon
this great question. We offered and
urged the adoption of the following reso-
lutions:
WHEREAS, The Congress Of the
United States has proposed an amend
ment to the Constitution thereof, to be
known as article fifteen, which changes
the rule of suffrage now existing in this
Commonwealth, and substitutes therefor
another and different rule, which said
amendment is now submitted to the
legislatures of the several States for rati-
fication;
And Whereas, "All power is inherent
in the people," and it is right that they
should have an opportunity to vote for
or against the ratification of the said
amendment, and to determine whether
they will or will not change the rule OF
suffrage now existing therefore,
Resolred, That the Judiciary Com
mittee of the Senate be and are hereb,
: instructed to prepare and forthwith re
port to the Senate bill for the submis
sion ofthe ratification ofthe said amend
ment to the people at the election in DC
tober, 1869. H
Resolred, That the Senate will not ac
I upon the question of ratification of tn
: said amendment to the Constitution o
the United States at its present session
but will await the action of the peopl,
at the polls thereon.
They were voted down by a stric
party vote, e,everyDemocratic Senator vo
ting for, and every Republican Senate
against them.
When the resolutions pledging tn
Senate to lea We this matter to vote G
: the people at the next October election
= were voted down,w again urged delay
81 and asked that:
Whereas, The subject contained in tn
i said amendment is one in which tn
j. people OF this Commonwealth are deeI
y ly interested, and upon which tho
{ have the undoubted right to be heard
Z and the right of petition, address ant
II remonstrance being guaranteed to then
y by the declaration of rights of the Con
u stitution, it is just and proper that tim
" should be given them to petition or re
monstrate against the ratification of tn
" said amendment; therefore,
> ResOtred, That the action on tn
e aforesaid amendment to the Constitu
~ tion of the United States, to be know
d as article fifteenth, be and is hereby pos
70 poned until Tuesday, the 23d day {
y March, 1869, in order to allow the pee
/. pie to be heard by petition, address an
remonstrance on the subject aiorpsait
;, and that the bill to ratify said amend
to ment be made the special order for til,
10 day.
II But no, they would not agree to tina
y There We're whispers that there migl
IS be some weak -kneed brethren among'
l. them, and they wero afraid d ths
J. when the mighty voice Of tho PEE
y pie was heard resounding from the hill
y and valleys Of our glorious old Con
ne monwealth, there might he some SEN
n tors with some conscience, and litt
Mt respect for the people still lingerlr
about them and that they might fly Il
20 track, and in spite of the party whip
might still further delay the consur
ia nation of the outrage, until the pc
o. pie were heard from through the ballC
~ box. ..
n. Are they afraid to submit tito the pc
nr Pile? Certainly they are. The par
an leaders have deceived them upon til
nd question time and again. They ha'
Io always denied being in favor of neg
nd suffrage and negro equality. Durii
~ the last election campaigns, they f
"a lowed out strictly their doctrines
th deceit and fraud by adopting in the N
he tional Republican Convention held
er. Chicago, as a part of the platform
y. their party, tho following;
II. "II. Tho guaranty by Congress
10. equal suffrage to all loyal men at
n n 4.