Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-09-12
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, SEPT. Y, 1914.
VOORHEES, ON THE POLITICAL sITUA-
TON.
The speech of Hon. D. W. Voorhees,,
delivered at Terre Haute. Ind, on the

The speech of Hon. D. W. Voorhees,,
delivered at Terre Haute, Ind, on the
7th ult., in reply to Senator Morton,
affords an indication of the policy which
will control the Democratic party in
the Fall elections and doubtless fore
shadows some of the issues which will
enter into the next Presidential cam
paign. AS the prominence of both
speakers entitle their utterances to gem
eral respect, as embodyins the princi-
pies upon which the respective plat
forms may be based, it is important
that their opiniona should be generally
disseminated and discussed. Senator
Morton places himself sqnarely on the
Civil Rights Bill, as it passed the Sen
ate and is now pending for the action
of the House next Winter. Under the
first section of the proposed law, the
four millions of negroes in the United
States are imperatively thrust into an
absolute equality with the white race
in the full and equal enjoyments of
the accommodations, advantages, facil-
cilities and privileges of inns, public
conveyances on land or water. theaters,
or other places of public amusements,
and public institutions of learning or
benevolence, supported in whole or in
part by general taxation, and cemeter-
les SO supported, and also institutions
known as agricultural colleges endowed
by the United States" "This," the
speaker affirms, " is the most extensive
and remarkable social revolution ever
attempted by legislation in the history
of the world. 1t overthrows in a mo-
ment the habits and usages of more
than two hundred years in this country,
and establishes radical change in the
daily customs of forty millions of peo-
pie. There is no parallel to it in the
history of the nations of the earth.
Senator Morton says it is only preju-
dice which opposes this vast measure,
vast in its scope, and in its results if ii
ever becomes law, as the Senator
avows it will. Even if this were true
and there was no higher argument
against it, wise craftsmanship always
respects the honest prejudices of the
people, and calls in the aid of time
and the educating influences of expe.
rience, rather than penal statutes, ruin.
Que fines, and prison house to remove
them"
Mr.. Voorhees, then reviews the posi-.
ton of Senator Morton in 1865 on
question, involving, in less degree, the
danger of sudden and radical change
in the social customs. He opposed
negro suffrage on both constitutional
grounds and as measure Of public
policy. In November of that year he
declared:
"The subject Of suffrage is by the
national constitution, expressly referred
to the determination of the several
States, and it cannot be taken from
them without violation of the letter
and spirit of the instrument. 1t is q
fact SO manifest that it should not be
called in question by any, that people
just emerging from the barbarism OF
slavery are not qualified to become q
part of our political system, and take
part not only in the government OF
themselves and neighbors, but of the
whole United States. So far from be.
lieving that negro suffrage is remedy
for all our national ills, doubt wheth.
er it is remedy for any, and rather be-
lieve that its enforcement by Congress
would he likely to subject the negro to
merciless persecution than to confer
upon him any substantial ben Eft
This, at that time was the view OF
large portion of the Republican party,
on the proposition to effect, SO far as il
rested with Legislation to do it, com.
plete equality of the races. Even dur.
ing the session of the late Congress
that party had not progressed" suf.
fciently, for them to dare enact bill
contemplating that identical object. II
was two-edsed sword which the party
leaders acknowledged their inability te
handle. While political necessity
which enfranchised the negro, demand
ed its passage, wholesome fear for
popular sentiment held the measure in
check and finally placed it among the