The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-06-09
Senator Thurman,s Sneech.

We never had any prejudice against
Senator Thurman. In fact we always
liked him, and have regarded him as
one ofthe ablest and purest among our
public men. The bill to enforce the
18th Amendment, against which he
made a speech in the Senate, has be-
come law. But the Democratic State
convention condemned it, and from the
tone of the Democratic press it is clear
that the party intends to continue the
fight against equal rights, and Demo-
cratic justice and equality.
We have read Senator Thurman's
speech carefully, and we think his argu-
ments are not sound. He thinks State
laws will be sufficient to enforce the
Amendment. He ought to know bet
ter than that. Let the Democracy have
full power, as in Kentucky, and the ne.
groes will never derive any benefit from
the Amendment.
He is very jealous of State Rights.
Was he of the same opinion when his
party had control of the National Gov
ernment, and was enforcing the infer
nal Fugitive Slave Law? When the
Republican State of Ohio desired to
protect her citizens from the grasp of
the slave hunter, Senator Thurman did
not raise his voice in favor of States
Rights, that we can remember of.
We will ask Senator Thurman to
take the following, from his speech, and
compare it with the Fugitive Slave Law,
which he indorsed:
at this doctrine be true you can pass
law to take the Governor of Ohio
from his executive seat and try him be-
fore one of your district courts of the
United States; you may take the Gov
ernor of New York or of any other
State, Or the supreme judges of any
State, and try them under this bill of
pains and penalties because they, officers
of State, do not execute an act of Con-
gressI deny the authority to do any
such thing. | deny any such authority
whatsoever. But if the authority cx-
listed, how strange it would seem, how
low and debased the States would have
become, when the Congress of the
United States, without waiting to see
whether any State will be dereliet in its
duty without waiting to see whether
any state officers will refuse to obey the
Constitution of the United States, in
troducos bill of pains and penalties
like this, that bristles in every section
with fine and Imprisonment and rewards
to be given to informers.
Senator Thurman is very much afraid
that somebody will swear falsely, and
thereby some one may be wronged.
He had no such fears when southern
slave catohers and their northern tools
were swearing to the ownership of men,
women and children. But that law
was made to deprive human beings of
liberty and all rights this law is de-
signed to favor equality and justice.
We who mixed in politics twenty to
thirty years ago we'll remember how
United States oflicers-Marshals and
Commissioners, were set up over State
officers, by Senator Thurman and his
party. But now hear the Senator:
"But this is not all, Mr.. President
Ndndamus or quo 'cdrraatO, what is this
fifth section practically? Here, as
have said, is man declared to be elect
ed Governor of the State of Ohio or In
diana, aud the disappointed candidate
does, what? Contest the election un-
der the constitution under the laws of
Ohio or Indiana? Not a bit of it.
Contest it before the tribunal provided |
by the constitution of Ohio or Indiana
to try that question, the senate of the
State! Not bit of that; but he goes
to some little United States district
judge and sues out an appropriate
remedy" What appropriate reme-
dy," iorsooth, is it? A quo ,ca,runto
Then under the quo ,carraato you under
take TO canvass all the votes ofthe State
Of Ohio, the State of Indiana, or the
State of New York When will you
get done3 Will you do it before or
after that mans term of office has ex-
pired And how will you do it if
there is contest under the State con.
stitution and laws, and the body enti-
tied to try it by that constitution and
those laws shall decide the contest ono
way, and your little district Judge ofthe
United States shall decide il the other
wayl Suppose the senate of the great
State of New York should decide in
favor OF the incumbent, and your little
bit of a one-horse judge-I beg pardon
for using such slang expression-your
little district judge of the United States
should decide it the other wayl Would
not that be most harmonious admin
istration of constitutional law in the
United States I Would not it make
our institutions the envy of mankind
Would not all the thrones of Europe
crumble into dust in admiration of this
most excellent and harmonious mode
we have of providing for the election
of officers and nrovidinn for the anttln-