The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1870-09-08
TIE MEETING COURT DAY.

TIE MEETING COURT DAY.
The meeting at the Court House on last
Thursday, was addressed by Capt. Phelps,
Col. Swami, and Mr.. II. S. Walker. The
meeting was not rs great in numbers as
was anticipated for Court time, we sup
spssc tbers we're about three hundred per-
sons in the room, aud that number pGliti.
cally, about evenly divided. Capt Phelps
led off in a half hour speech, and occupied
most Of his time in giving his reasons, why
he>~as now a Democrat; and in believing
4nigger" suffrage aud "nigger" equality.
Flo was followed by Col. Swami in q
one hour speech. Col. Swami presented
the issues Of this canvass in a most power
full, convincing aud logical manner. and
in such way that Mr.. Walker could not
answer them, nor did he attempt to do So;
in truth he acknowledged that he was not
able to do SO, and that be could only argue
as God had given him power. Colonel
Swami said, that il the Thirteenth Amend
ment vas abolished it would again raise
the question, had slavery been abolished
according tolaw. And this he said would
again agitate the country. That slavery
being ended in fact, the Thirteenth
Amendment was a necessity to remove
from the Constitution tho former proyis-
ION guaranteeing ownership to the master
in his slave. That the former slave be-
ing free, was entitled to oil tho benefits Of
citizenship, That class legislation was
anticipation, and that a Republican
government could not exist with pro-
scribcd class Of frecmcn. That if they
were citizens, they were under tho theory
: Of our government entitled TO the ballot in
order to protect themselves from class OPP
preston. That undar tho 9th clause Of
our Bill Of Rights, they were entitled to
suffrage. and if denied it, they were not
amenable to violations Of laws to which
they were not parties in the formation
thereof. He said that the Thirteenth
Amendment neccssitated the Fourteenth
Amendment, giving 10 the former slave
his civil rights, aud that the Fourteenth
Amendment necessitatcd tho Fifteenth
Amendment, which gave to the colorcd
mon of the United States political rights.
These questions he argued at great length.
We are sorry that we cannot lay before our
readers his entire speech lie showed
that the Democratic party was tending to
anarchy and ruin; and that Democracy
had determined upon power or war, aud
read an editorial from tue Louisville Cor-
ier-yomnal in support ofthis proposition,
and called upon the people TO avert the
impending danger, aud drive away the
storm-cloud which was lowering over the
nation, by giving their support to the Re-
publican party, which was party Of
peace. Ho then spoke at some length
on the action Of tho Democratic Couvcn-
ton in repudiuting the Flick Amendment
which provides for rebel onfranchiscmcuti
that the Democratic party claimed to be
the especial friend of the rebel, but when
they had an opportunity to prove their
sincerity by their acts, they turn their
backs upon them, and say tue rebel ought
not to be epfranchised; that if the rebels
were restored to the ballot the Republi'
cans would give tito them, not the Demo
Gratis. he said Democratic sympathy fol
rebcls was only for the purpose of 'eleva.
ting themselves to power aud to Office, in
s fact they did not wish to see the rebel en-
franchised, for fear he might come in and
take the Offices from them. He acknowl-
edged the business Of the DISTINGUISHING
laws Of West Virginia; but said hothough'
the time had arrived when these disabili'