The New York herald., 1869-03-22
TaE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.


Speech of John e. Jacobs In the New York
Assembly.
In the Assembly on the nth inst. Assemblyman
John c. Jacobs, of Kings county, made the following
speech on the constitutional amendment relative to
negro suirage:-
Mr. Jacobs, upon taking the noor, asked that the
report OF the committee In favor OF ratfyng the con-
stitutional amendment and his substitute therefor
might be read, which, having been DONE he pro-
ceeded with mis- address, as follows:-
Mr.. SPEiKER--We now have before us the ques-
tion presentedto the House by the committee, Of
which the gentleman from westchester (Nr. Husted)
is chairman, and by myself OF the Importance OF
this question believe both political parties are fully
aware. That we should discuss 1t with candor and
that should decide it upon Its merits believe
equally acknowledged by both Of these parties; and
j rejoice that SO far as this discussion has pro-
ceedeo, it has conducted in spirit Of candor.
II the majority believe that the proposed amend
ment should pass II the majority believe that
without any submission to the people this amend
ment should be incorporated In the constitution OF
the United States why Of course we OF the minority
must submit But before we do any great public
act 1t is no more than right that we should place
upon record our reasons therefor; and, sir, when
listened to the speech OF the gentleman from West
chester lMr. Husted) must confess that gave hum
more credit for his patriotism than expected to be
able TO admit. He was patriotic II he was nothing
else He was patriotic II he was not argumentatye.
He was patriotic in all that he said, though never
touching the question In dispute We heard from
him AZ to the origin Of the rebellion. We heard from
him as 10 the value the negro had been to during
the rebellion. We heard from him as to
the thousands Of lives that had been sa-
crinced upon the field Of battle. But
frav,s N i'm, IN, tha rf
this proposed amendment. We heard from him az
70 the euloges pronounced upon the negro troops
IN the war OF 1872 by great democratic authority IAN
drew Jackson). But we never heard one word from
him, in that remarkable speech which he made this
morning, as to the expressions made by that same
great authority against such legislation as we are
now about TO consummate. That, sir, was great
State rights authority always protecting the federal
Union, always defending the federal constitution;
hut nevertheless always insisting upon the rights OF
the States In the Union. under the constitution. He
told u.s. sir IN his speech, and he gave 1t as reason
why this amendment should prevail, that there had
not been negro unriendy to the cause Of the Union;
that the coored men OF the South had rallied around
our standard In its days OF troubles that they had
helped sustain our armies in their marches through
the Southern country. lie told us this and many
other similar things. He never stopped TO tell us,
srhe never thought, perhaps, OF telling us-that II
was these same negroes whom he would enfranchise
to-day who gave strength TO the rebellion and fed
its armies, and who upheld Its power while the
white men OF the South were contendmg against his
brethren Of the North. He forgot all that; and yet
ne told us there had not been negro unriendly TO
the cause Of the Union. He told us aso sir,
shat while these negroes were so friendly to
the cause OF the Onion In the South, tens OF
thousands OF Northern democrats were bowling
ftta fntn IN lq N.
N tnat arRument--he never had the magnanimity
for moment to tell--of the half million democrats
who, Joined srm-inarm with their republican
fricnds went to the scene Of strife and sacrificed
their lives In defence Of the Unlon {. fApplause.)
nj e ne e mat and while these thnrs have
properly connection with the subject under dis
cussion. yet when they are forced upon us, let US
shall not be weariscme-cau the attention Of this
House TO svme OF the remarks made by my friend
from and sns y +, sds 70 the
men before discuss the substitute proposed
~ me for the report of Of the committee; I;
from westchester lMr Hustedh that AL governments
are tyrannical aud despotc which deprive the ctl-
very breath ne tells us that more than one great re-
publican State-Statcs which are always republi-
can-hs tells us that these state governments are
fact that large number Of citizens are deprived OF
the right Of voting NOT because they have been
deprived, nevertheless, Of the right to vote Sim
tain educational or property qualification test;
and then, leaving that subject, he turns
around to the minority and says, with an air OF
triumph suppose we apply the educational test
10 the democracy OF your city Of New YORK, then
where would your majority ber Sir he forgot TO
standard OF education Is higher to-day In the cities
OF New York and Brooklyn than In any counties
which are known as republican counties In this
state We spend ten dollars where the best OF those
rural counties spend Ave for the purpose OF giving
our children ths benefit OF education and Of hitting
them for the exercise OF their rights under free
government. tApplause) lie forgot TO give TO the
Qreat metropolis Of which his district is practically
4 part the credit which In It's due. lie forgot, "a
every man IN likely TO forget In the heat OF political
ASCENSION, to be Just to hts political opponents
4 riuht 10 he proud M Ia that the people
al New York and Brooklyn and the surrounding
counties, where the democratic party n In the
s.cou.Iancv taka cure to aDond avery dollar thev