The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-05-27
RadicaIisna In Indiana.


that the members of that faction in the
various State legislatures will not be slow
to initiate the example. The entire history
of that political organization for the last
eight years. as we'll in Congress as in the
legislative halls Of the different States,
shows il to be a party criminslly reckless
and utterly regardless Of all the require
ments of law. So intent is it upon estao-
fishing It's favori:e negro policy, that it
Ignores the solemn provisions of State
constitution, by simple legislative enact
ment, and in their stead substitutes its own
blind will by the mel force of an acciden-
tai numerical majority. 1t perpetrsted this
enormity in our own Safe 10y hardened
and shameless violation of it's own pledges,
and by ratifying the negro suffrage amend
mentit underto k to change the constitution
of the State in a manner wholly unknown
to, and in direct conflict with, its clearly
expressed provisions. Conscious that vast
majority of the people of this State are ir-
revocably opposed to negro suffrage. and
afraid to trust the question - a popular
vote, constitutions are but cobwe6s, to BE-
brushed away in its onward strides to usurp-
ed and despotic power. Whenever party
refuses to submit question of great public
concern to vote of the people, it is con-
elusive evidence of itG own Inherent dis
honesty, and when it attempts to accom-
plish its base purposes by defrauding the
people out of reserved constitutional right,
it is an evidence of iss wickt duess and revo.
lutionary character.
The recent infamous conduct of the radi-
cal members of the Indiana legislature,
furnishes the latest and most fl grant in
stance Of radical contempt for the constitu-
ton of that State, as we'll as for their own
official oaths. The radicals have a 1lqjority
in each house, but not enough to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business,
the constitution requiring tsco-thirds for
that purpose. In our State, bare maiori-
ty will make quorum, and this enabled
the radical party to perPetrate the bold
fraud Of tho last session. When the radi
calls attempted to force the fifteenth amend
ment through the Indiana legislature, in
open violation of their own pledges, the
democratic men. bers in both houfes resigned,
in order that the iniquity mi ight not be con-
summated. and that the people of the
State might pass upon the question at the
election to be beld next fall. This occurred
on the 4th Of last March. A special cleo
ton was ordered 0y the Governor to fill the
vacancies, and every democratic member
who resigned was reelected. When it be-
came apparent, on the 18th Of the present
month, that the radical majority was deter
mined to pass the amendment at all hazards,
the democratic members again sent their
designations to the Governor. What then
took place is shown by the two following
dispatches of the 18th and l4th of May:
INDIANAPOLIS, Nay I3-Au the Democratic
members of the House of Representatives, eI-
cept two, resigned this morning, leaving the
House again without quorum.
In the Senate, at roll call this afternoon,
thirty seven members answered TO Their names.
The DOORS WERE LOCKED and the absentees
sent for. Pending this proceeding, the con
stitutional amendment was called up and
vote taken, although the Democratic members
present announced that they had sent their
designations to the Governor this morning
The lieutenant Governor ruled that the Sen
ate had no official notice of their resignation,
and declared the amendment ratified by Il vote
of 81 ayes to l nay-ll senators present not
voting
INoIASlroLIs, May II The House OF Rep
aesentatves, this afternoon, before calling the
roll to ascertain whether quorum was resent
or not, concurred in the Senate amendments
y. s,A.y. Ill lp
voCE vote.
message was received by the Governor,
notifying the House of the resignation of for
y-seven members
Mr. Osborne, Republicans, then moved to
adopt the joint resolu ton ratifying the Consti
tutional Amendment.
Mr.. Coffroth, Democrat, objected, making a
point of order that there was not a quorum
present.
The Chairman ruled that the objection
might be considered as an appeal taken by
Mr.. Coffroth, and the decision Of the Speaker
was sustained. The House then passed the
joint resolution by vote of " cas-, 81 nays
none. Two Democrats and one Republican
present refused to vote.
This is an improvement in legislation,
derived from the stand and deliUer process
practised by the highwayman and common
robber, and is an entirely unprecedented and
most villainous assumption of legislative
power. Nothing 50 utterly disgraceful has
ever before occurred in any legislative hall
in this or any other country, save perhaps
some similar scenes enacted by the Jacobins
OF the French Assembly during the ''Reign
of Terror" Here was presented the silly
spectacle, of body which had no legal ex-
isteuce, and which for all conceivable pur-
poses of legislation was perfectly defunct,
ratifying an amendment to the constitution
of the United States. Could legislative i'm
pudence assume bolder front ? Does any
man but born fool suppose that this revo-
lutionary proceeding possesses any validity.
or that the slightest importance will be at
tached to it Does any man in Pennsylva-
mia. who has any manhood in him, believe