The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-06-23

nrSt importance. Many OF our WlSeSt
men have thought that we cannot pre-
serve liberty in this country, unless We
preserve the states. In letter writ
ten last month, a: l see published. one
of the leading senator's at Washington
said: Had | my way, l would so re
construct the government of the United
States as to form a strong central gov
eminent here in the district of Colum-
, bia, and organize the states, as so many
colonial corporations, as absolutely de-
pendent upon, and subject to the will
of the central power at Washington, as
are counties to states.
x While / only
speak for myself, | believe that con-
gress and the country are looking in the
same direction. Why do they wish to
take control OF our elections if it be
not to carry out the,purpose so declared !?
Whenever power can perpetuate
itself. without the consent and choice
of the people, expire sc at free clcc-
ton, we have despotism. by whatever
it may be called My countrymen, in
this age, when
The spirit tnal.ft-t the slave before his lord,
Stalks through the capitals of armed kings
we can not must not, allow the cause
Of man safety; of his rightful control
in the affairs Of his government the
cause of liberty itself to be lost, or to
90 backward in America.
l know that many of you regard the
declared adoption of the fifteenth
amendment as national calamity
You believe that the political union of
the two races can not contribute to the
strength and stability of our institu-
lions. | have often expressed that
opinion, and therefore did all | could
to secure to the men Of Indiana hear
ing upon the question, and my convic-
tions are unchanged. But | feel that
may warm YOU that the evils to be ap-
pretended from the vicious legislation
of congress under the second section,
and ill the spirit that forced the ratiti-
cation are tour fold greater than from
the amendment itself | feel it to be.
that the conservative sentiment of the
country shall once more control the
house of representatives. When
you fight for that, it is for yourselves.
for your children, for your ballots, and
for the states
You believe that the declared ratifi-
cation of the fifteenth amendment was
a wicked violation of solemn pledges,
that the right of the states of the north
to regulate suffrage should not be IN
paired and you also believe that it was
not fairly and honorably obtained.
New York was counted. yet she had
withdrawn her ratification, which it
seems to me she had the clear right to
do at any time before the proposition
became a part Of the constitution
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas were
forced to ratify The alternative sub
mitted to them was ratification or mill
tary rule ratification or courts martial
and military commissions seizures and
arrests; imprisonment, trial and death.
Indiana was counted. yet she did not
ratify; and the means used to make it
appear that she did WAS fraud. Our
state has been stripped of high pre-
ro:atiye, of an important and valuable
right expressly reserved to her under
the old constitution; and tn. perpe-
traitors did that in the face Of solemn
pledge given before their election. and
IN defiance Of the prayers Of the people
first to be heard upon it. In such
case, what action becomes the rights
and the dignity of the people? They
are the guardians Of official integrity,
and public virtue and niorals-;.na they
can do no less than to administer tile
penalty of political death upon all. who.
holding positions of public trust and
confidence. deceive, bet.ay or DEFY the
people. They denied your rights, and
dcfed your wishes, that they might
make political gain, and hold Office and
profit by means of the colored vote. and
| appeal 10 all whose love OF country is
broader and deeper than any attach
nent to party, to decide whether they
shall make their mite pated gains, i'll
their netlrious adventure.
The new adjustment of the relations
between the white and black races has
pr crossed by stages. At first it was
only proposed to confer civil rehts up
oh the negroes I hat measure was
ma lie as Objectionable as possible, by
comforting upon the United States courts
an enlarg D jurisdiction, and authoriz-
ing unprecedented use of the army and
navy at once both burth nsome and
dangerous. Political rights we're then
col .!erred with the assurance that the
WORK was then complete. Before the
country had recovered its composure
from that sh ok the order passed along
the party lines onward : and how the
party is marching under the banner of
social rights and equality in every res
pect that can be controlled by law
And from the school house to the grave
yard the two races are to be compelled
to go hand in hand to the music of
their union. This third stage in the
progress is not yet reached, bu. Senator
Sumner S bill is pending, and you know
that he allows 10 detection of his party
upon his cherished measures. His bill
makes the races common in respect to
their rights and privileges in the school
houses, public conveyances, places of
public amusement, and in the hotels
The measure can be beaten only by
taking his partlzans out of the House,
and putting conservatives in their
places. His stronger will has so often
governedy against the wishes of his
party followers, that | look for the
adoption of his most extreme measures
unless the people forbid it at the cleo
Ihar,, I'LL 1