Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-03-28

NO. 20. 8
that Convention, and was hailed with applause
and satisfaction. While this resolution un-
mistakably proclaimed the intention and de-
sire of the democracy, to enfranehise the dis
/ frauchised, it as clearly, By being substituted
! for the first resolution, declared it to be the
/ sense of the democratic party, that negro Gu
franchisement can receive nc federation at its
hands, Sir: it was upon this very negro
/ issue, thrt the State was wrested from the
hands of the radical party, at the last election.
! Negro equality can not receive the recogui>
| tion of the people Of West Virginia in any
/ form. No radical mauipulatious can break
/ down the barriers which nature has formed, or
/ succeed II compromising the dignity and
honor of the white lace. So far as we are
concerned, we believe tha: this is a white
mans government, made by white men and
ought to, and will be, governed By white men"
If democrats are opposed to negro suffrage,
then let them make up the record upon this
! proposed amendment aud vote it down. Our
party declared against negro suffrage at its
Convention, and the people endorsed that
declaration at the polls. They expect us to
heed that endorsement and will hold US to a
strict account for our actions here They
recognize the fact that there is 4 wide differ
ence between raGicalsm, and democracy upon
this question. Then let rs show to them that
we appreciate and regard their political opin-
Ions, Upon principle, We ought to defeat this
amendment We can not go before the peO.
pie aiding and abetting the party that has so
long oppressed the State. If we vote for this
amendment, then, so far. We will not be acting
in harmony with the democratic party through
out the country, but will, to that extent, be in
harmony and sympathy with the radical party.
We. for years, have been fighting this negro
equality doctrine What will he our position
II we now give i; our support? The same,
identicaiiy, as that Of our enemies. We upon
our side of the question, 60 not propose to be
SO classcd.
Gentlemen tell us that striking the word
white from our State constitution Is mere mat
ter OF form. That the l5lh amendment to
the constitution Of the l.. : has been adupteIs
and is fixed fact. We think that democrats
are not responsible for it, and that iust as soon
as they get iuto power, it will be a fact rs
quickly unfXed as it was fixed. II the DEM
Ocra;ic party fail to amend the 10Th amend
ment and all other moUstrous and illegal icgis-
lation Pcrpetrated upon the people by the cor.
ruptIon OF radicalism, they will have believed
their record, and have shown a want of sta
bi!tv, and integrity, unworthy uf a great
=
tastuess and reverence to aud for tile great
charter OF our Liberties, the constitution.
We know too well, the means that were
employed to force the 18th amendment upon
the people; We know that military govern.
ments, unknown TO the letter. or spirit of our
institutions, shaped and forced the decision of
the southern States by the power OF the bay
onet, for the accomplishment Of its passage
We know that the military dictator sat at
Washington and issued his eiicis to his satraps.
by the force OF which, alone, legislation be-
came farce. We know too, that the State
OF New York repealed its act, ratifyiug the
amendment, before the requisite three 'orrths
of the States had been secrrei, even hy the
aid of radical machinery. Tha; the ralifica-
tiOn of the States of Kansas. Missouri and
Nebraska, was defective. These facts are
matters of history; fresh in the mind of every
intelligent man throughout the country. Our
Representatives, nt Washington. have warned
the dominant party, at every step, against their
innovations upon the constitution, they have
told them that they would be hurled from
power by an outraged people and the signs
OF the times are rcplcte with the indications
0! The tru,hiuIucss of their prophesis. Can
we aHord TO take issue with our national rep
TeseutatIVes upon purely party measure? Let
the 18th amendment 20 for what il is worth,
Out ACt US hOt Iatub ourselves DN a recognition
Of that which wss born in iniquity aud ac-
complished by fraud and crosses: despotism.
Even the northern and western States have
tacitly denied its validity. In nearly every
State where the proposition to strike the word
white from their State constitutions, has been
submitted to the people, II has met with a de-
cided defeat. With such facts staring us in
the face, 1t is not little strange that me-,-
bers upon this floor wearing the garb of ie-
mOcracy, should for n moment. entertain the
idea of striking the word white from our con.
stItutIOn. That their motives are proper |
have no right TO doubt, for they say it is taken
as az evil, BY which, something good may be
accomplished but | must differ with them in
accepting an evil, for any purpose when we
have the power in our own hands Of accom-
Plishing the desired end.
Sir: There is Z duty devolving upon us
that reaches far beyond the confines of West
Virginia. When we turn the minds eve
towards the South, We see noble, generous
and brave people, whose interests and seuti-
ments are identified with our own; people
our own blood and kindred, looking and long.
ing for the shacklcs of negro despotisul 10 be
stricken from their hands. Must they look
In vain for the assistance that now. Democrat
&c West Virginia can Tendcr? VIII we drive
another rivet in their chains !? Can VIC so
enoa forget their suferings aud burdens and
even dx them more securely, and turn cur at.
tention alone 20 oGr own political and social
conditionY To day. negroes are lsrislating
for and against white men. in the Gulf States.
Such state of affairs is NO; only unnatural.
but rnons;rous. If we pass the resolution rtu,