The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-03-02

the 18th inst the joint resolution of the
Indiana Legislature withdrawing its as
sent TO the ratification of the fifteenth
amendment being under consideration,
General FRANK P. BLAIR, of Missouri,
made speech, reviewing the history of
reconstruction, the usurpations of Con-
eress, and the manner in which the ratih
cation of the fifteenth amendment was OBJ
tanned, which we give below. During the
speech Senator MORTON, of Indiana, en-
d-avored to entrap Mr.. BLAIR into com
mitting himself in favor of nullifying the
fifteenth amendment, but signally failed.
Mr.. BLAIRs remarks were as follows ::
Mr.. PRESIDENT: l did not intend to
take part in this discussion, and l shall be
very brief in the expression of my views
now. and endeavor not to trespass too long
on the indulgence of the Senate.
The Senator from Indiana, Mr.. Nor
ton. with his usual ability, which marks
him as the leader of the Administration
party on this floor-there being many of
the old leaders of the Republicans who
cannot be claimed for the Administra-
tion-has opened the discussion of questi-
ons which I regard as of paramount i'm
portance to the country These are the
questions involved in the reconstruction
acts OF Congress. Other questions which
attract much attention and employ some
of the best minds of our country do not,
in my opinion, deserve the prominence
which has been given them at this juno
ture. do not undervalue the advantages
to the people of low taxes and sound
system of finances; but these are only in
cident to the great questions beyond, as
to the Government itself. Wemight have
free trade and a good financial system un-
der despotism but a Federal Union OF
free States, co-eGual IN political rights,
with General Government of limited and
clearly defined powers, is the opposite Of
despotism. The two cannot exist together.
Have we Federal Union on the con-
stitutional basis 2 Are the States equal in
political rights? Is the central Govern
ment acting within constitutional hmita-
tions2 What is this whole system of re-
construction, as it is called, this exclusion
of States from their inherent and guaran-
teed rights? Taxation without representa-
ton, their fundamental laws set aside, the
popular will suppressed, the right of suf-
frage taken from the States by usurping
VI NOuSIOSSj LAO SOA-
stitution itself changed in its character by
the same usurping fragment and IN def
ance of the known and expressed will OF
the people. The Government is literally,
practically subverted, and the paramount
issue now is to bring back the central
Government to its legitimate powers and
the restoration of the States to their re-
served and undoubted rights, instead OF
expending argument and effort on minor
questions of expediency, touching the af-
fairs of finance and free trade, questions
which will become great and important
when we shall have succeeded IN rescuing
the Government itself from the perils
which threaten its existance. Democrats
may honestly differ on these minor mat
ters, and so may Radicals. But on the
subject of consolidated no empire or a
Federal Union there can be division among
those who prefer the one or the other
system.
If the central Government can make
and unmake States at pleasure; can re-
struct them, displace the duly elected au-
thorities chosen by the people, and put
others in their places by edlcts to be exc
cuted by the military arm, then We are
under consolidated Government without
limitation of power. Such has been and
is the action of Congress and OF the adml-
nistration of General Grant.
The eSenator from Indiana fitly represents
the Administration in the bold, open and
outspoken expression of contempt for re-
preventative Government. Sir, during the
last summer the news was brought to us
that the Senator had been appointed to a
high mission abroad, the mission of Eng
land 1t was very gratifying to me
Knowing we'll his ability and courage
and confding in his patriotism upon ques-
tions pending between his own and q
foreign country, 1 believed our affairs al
| the English Court would be conducted by
| the honorable Senator with ability, cour-
age, and decorum, and that the honor O
| the country would be safe IN his hands.
But, sir, an election took place during
the autumn, IN the State of Indiana, anC
the Democratic party succeeded IN elect
ing majority of the Legislature of that
State. The Senator at once renounced the
mission which he had SO recently accepted
and assigned as his reason that he woulC
not have his State send Senator here IL
his place to represent the political senti
ments of the people of Indiana.
Mr.. Morton Misrepresent.
Mr.. Blair. We need not quarrel abou
that. / shall not use so harsh term to
ward him as to say he misrepresents tn
State of Indiana. He may, and doubtles
does, believe that he represents the peopl
of the State, but If there was a Senator T.
be chosen by the Legislature just elected
no one doubts that Democrat would b
chosen and this fact would furnish tn
best evidence of the political sentiment c
the people.
Ifthe distinguished Senator had gon
abroad upon the mission to which he wa
appointed, he would have learned IN tn
royal court to which he was accredited,
greater Difference for the popular will tina
he seems to have attained in the party
which he belongs at home He Woul
have discovered there, in monarchical Eng
land, that no. minister or public servan
can hold Office against the popular senti
ment; but the Senator holds his plact
although the people of his State have con
demned him in the only form and name
in which public sentiment is ascertaine
in our country. He openly avows, more
over, that he continues SO to hold it
! prevent the election of one who MOI
: nearly represents the opinions of that bod
whose duty 1t is to select Senator IN h
place.
The Senator has gone somewhat into u
history of the fifteenth amendment, th
rightful adoption of which IS controverte
by his State in the concurrent resolution
passed by the Legislature of Indiana, an
which are now under consideration by tn
Senate. shall also refer to some histori
cal matters pertaining to that measur
I remember very well that the Congres
which proposed that amendment to ii
States failed to do so until after the Pres
Dental election, and that their nominatin
{ convention, which sat in Chicago, held OF
the promise to the people that no sue
amendment should be proposed, declarr
in emphatic terms that while they elaine
the right to regulate the suffrage by Cor
Z gress IN the States lately in revolt. II
States that had not been in rebellion shoul
) have, and of right ought to have, thepow,
to regulate suffrage for themselves.
This was trick to avoid an issue whiC
would have been fatal to them in the Pr
sidential election. But when, after Il
election, the party to which the Senate
belongs had secured another lease Of poV
er, they then proposed to the States tn
{ anoendrnent refusing and voting down