Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-11-29
THE FLICK AMENDMENT.

The subject of the adoption of the Flick
amendment is now the subject of universal
discussion, by both the Radical and Demo-
cratic press of the State. The Radical papers,
that never by one line advocated its adoption
previous TO the late election, are now all in
Juror for its passage, and opposed to Con-
ven,ion, while the Democratic papers call for
Convention, and oppose the amendment
We say, let US have a Convention, we want
no Democratic sanction to the fifteenth amend.
ment IF it is forced upon US, let it be So,
but let us never, by any act of ours. give coun
tenance or aid to the disreputable unconstitu
tonal measures that have been fraudulently
forced upon u.s. We want more than mere
suffrage; we want host Of useless and I'M
necessary offices abolished and the expenses
of the State government reduced to a miui-
mum. Give US Convention. The Clarks-
burg Conservative expresses the following
views on the amendment -
We are unable to see how Democrat can
have aught to DO with the Flick Amend
1nent" 1t is such complete reversal of Dem
ocratic ilens that sadly at loss to un
contemporaries, who profess Democracy. can
reconcile their Democracy and Negro suffrage.
The greatest issue of the last canvass in
this and other States was that self same negro
suffrage business. 1t did more TO gain our
victory than almost any thing else. The Dem
ocratic party stands pledged to oppose it
Should we cOuntenancc it. we are as able to
lie whoIesalely as the Radical party did when
thcy protested to wage the war for the Union
and not to free the enshved race; when they
protested to be opposed to placing the ballot
in their hands; when they professed to be the
only loyal party and possessed of all the morals
and decency of the country.
Gentlemen, VIC can't 90 back on QUE record,
nor will the ex rebels; the disfranchised. de-
sire that they be restored to their ri gifts
through so shameful n capitulation to that
most degrading of all Radical impositions.-
The plea that negro suffrage is no longer an
issue that it is irrevocably fixed fact. is
blind that can quiet the conscience of no man
who has honestly and on principle opposed me-
gro suffrage by usnrpati0n it became fact
against the expressed will of the people in
several of our great States by immense ma
iorties on the square vote years ago. and more
recently in the great revolution in politics
which is giving the Democrats such glorious
victories over the negro party. Negro suffrage
is an issue and will remain issue so long as
the negro votes. so hong as his barbaric foot
treads the halls Of Congress. so long as the
Fifteenth Amendment exists until the AL
mighty clothes the negro with the intellect,
the ca pacity, and with the civilization of the
Caucasian race.
The attention of the Democratic party in
West Virginia must now be given TO the en-
frauchisemcnt of every white male citizen Of
proper qualifications the establishment of
liberal laws and giving the State place among
the other members Of the Union-and do all
this as speedily as it can honorably he done.
Wewant to hear no more about this device of
the enemy-nOt a word. All the Radical pa
pers are now in favor of it. which fact in it,
self is a substantial reason for our opposition
to it. These same Radical papers were for the
most part lighting against if in "bitter-end"
times.
We are totally and rrcconcileably opposed
to the passage of any such bill, as We have
been from the first