Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-04-12
From Washington.

Al Washington correspondent Of the Bal
timore Gazette, writing under date Of the 9Th
instant says:-
Hon. Daniel W. Voorhees, has just returned
from flying visit to his constituents in In
diana. While at home he made . speech,
which is regarded here as sounding the true
keynote of the course proper for Democrats
to pursue sn relation to the "new element"
introduced by the "Fifteenth Amendment"
He declared openly, distinctly and emphati-
cally that he tpdnted no negro to uote for HIM.
If the Radical outrage ofillegally and by fraud
forcing negro suffrage upon the people Of the
North, aUithom their consent, express or ina
Piled, shall fail to lose them more white votes
than the "negro element" can possibly coun-
tervail," then indeed, it will be time to shut
up shop, so far as the ballot is concerned
1t seems, at least, that NO act should be cen-
mitted by recognized adherenfs to constitu-
tional liberty to weaken the force Of this idea.
By attempting to appropriate or to divide the
fraudulent negro votes by the Democatic par
ty, those who would otherwise probably for
ever leave the Radical ranks on that issue
would become disguised, and stay where they
are.
The people, in some quarters, appear really
to be in fair way of coming to their senses.
It has all at once struck certain Pennsylvania
journalists that the corruptions at Washington
have reached as far as Harrisburgl Indeed,
SO firmly convinced is one "Conservativo"
editor of this astounding fact, that he does
not scrupls to characterize the honorable,
members of the Legislature of that State as
"the miserable body Of scoundrelS that have
been pretending to legislate for the people of
Pennsylvania |" The organ here, which takes
especial care of the keystone Commonwealth,
interposes an objection to this mode of plain
speaking, inasnauch Git says) as it implicitly
accuses the people-fwho voted for these
'sscouudreIs') of kindred qualities "What-
ever" Git remarks) "may be the political COM
pzerton of State or National Legislature in
this country, it will always represent the peo-
pie. fthe latter scoundrels, outlaws and
reprobates, the former will not be muct better.
IF, on the other hand, the people are moral,
intelligent and patriotic, their representatives
will be likely to possess the same excellent
characteristics" The converse of this prop
osition must, of course, he equally true. IF
so Cooking at the composition of the present
Congress), with what profound alarm must
every good man look upon the moral con-
dition of this people, at this moment, as a
iUhoLef It has been heretofore supposed,
perhaps In an excess of charity, that the
'srogues," the "thieVes," the "bribed," and so
on, In congress, nt'SrepreSente6 their consul.
uents; that "the people, were deluded and
befogged and befooled by whitewashing COM
mittees that their senses were benumbed and
COMPOUNDED by lying yarns of "Klu-Klux"
and "rebeP counter-revolutions, so that the
true characters of their SO. called Representa-
tives' had escaped their observation, or even
their suspicion. But if we are to believe the
Chronicle, that our "Nationap Legislature
fairly "represonts" the great body of the peo
pie of this country, then all that can be done
is to call upon Jehovah himself to save the
Republic, for it is manifest that any other
than supernatural power would be inadequate.
An honorable Senator from New York yes
terday essayed to prove that the s'income tax"
would make US, if we were not now, "nation
of liars" The logic of the organ would prove
that to an extensive degree. We are already
a nation of "scoundrels, outlaws and repro
bates" Out upon its assumptions!