The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-11
TIE FIFTEENTH ARTICLE IN INDIANA

Much obloquy from the Radical press has
been hurled az the Democratic members Of
the Indiana Legislature, for their resigning
their seats aud leaving that body with
out a quorum, in order to prevent the
ratification of the proposed 9Th article
to the constitutional the United States
Although the action complained Of may
appear factous, yet it cannot be said to be a
violation Of any law or the invasion Of any
right or privilege Of any human being. II
our Radical contemporaries will stiAe their
passions and allow their reason for once to
speak, they must be compelled to admit that
the only objection that can be urged to the
proceeding is, that it prevents for the pres.
ent, the ratification Of an amendment to '''
constitution, proposed by Radical CoNt',I'
in bad faith, aud for the purpose O
lowing the people an oPPorto'"V ~ Nv -
it. The Radicals very We" XIV" '"a' ''''
a,,e,r,t N rusb this amendment through
the several Legislatures elected before the
question WAS made, is nothing less than
fraud upon the people of the United States,
Ift be ratified by the necessary number
of States by legislatures now chosen, there
will be presented the most remarkable spec.
tacle Of a change in the fundamental law Of
the land being effected, without the people
having ever had an opportunity to even indi' |
cate their consent TO it. What member Of
Congress in either branch Of it was chosen
upon the issue presented in the 18th article?
What legi ature or member of Legislature
has been chosen with reference to raufyinR
or rejecting this amendment? On the con
trary, on the question of suffrage the DOM.
nsnt party in the country won its victory at
the last popular election on platform to
which the proposed amendment is directly
antagonistic A bill had been introduced
into Congress, declaring in substance what
the proposed article declares, and it was al.
lowed to remain undisposed of in view OF
the near approach Of the Presidential cleo.
ton, for the very reason that it should not
be made an issue. 1t was given out, too, at
the time, that it was the illadvised work Of the
fanatca faction of the Republican party
Bat that there might be no prete1tto charge |
upon the Republican candidates 10 that con-
test before tho whole people the intention to
establish negro suffrage in the States, it was
announced in the platform Of the party that
the Question Of suffrage in all the loyal
States properly belongs to the people Of those
States 10 constituting the meaning Of the
term people of the States" as used in the
constitution, Republicans have not allowed
it to be anything less than the whole people |
at the polls, and not their representative
State legislatures.
Furthermore the 18th article which was
forced upon the States in the same way, and
was finally adopted by its being used as q
bridge to span the chasm between the Union
and the outlying States, contained a provis-
ion as to the basis Of representation in Con-
gress, which conceded the right 10 the States
to regulate suffrage within their own borders,
provided they would submit to a reduction
Of the number Of their representatives in Con.
gress in proportion to the whole number Of
males twety.one years of age who should be
excluded from the elective franchise. This
was announced and accepted as q finality on
the suffrage question, and it was well under
stood that Congress would not again tinker
with it. The 10Th article is thus shameless
breach Of faith on the part Of Congress.
In view of these facts of history can there
be any doubt that the Radical majority are
attempting to practice fraud upon the PEG,
pie? And yet their newspaper organs have
the efrontery to denounce Democrats for
resigning their seats in the legislature of
Indiana to prevent this nefarious scheme
from being contaminated