The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-04-01

has been no abuse Of privileges there. II
they had misused the power intrusted TO
them there might be cause for complaint,
but even then the remedy lies in the ballot
and not in the shotgun, not in frand and
violence. The colored people he said were
opposed to the "colored line" but they
must be protected and guaranteed in the
enjoyment Of all their privileges and
rights. They ask an investigation that
will protect them in their rights and en-
able them to pursne their avocations in
peaceful and quiet manner.
Mr.. Key was glad that the late war was
fought out and was over with. The South
was not wholly to blame in the war
Slavery existed many years ago, and was
protected by the Constitution. He spoke
highly OF the colored people and oil their
fidelity 10 the whites during the war, and
the people OF his State were willing to pro.
tect them, and did protect them. The
South was poor and weak and wanted
peace. 1t was now time To forget
there was South or North. The war
was over, and the cOnquerors had right
to enjoy The results OF their victory. He
was willing to admit that the terms
granted by the victors were much more
liberal than he expected. He was anx-
ious to have the South acquiesce in the
result and accept the situation. Could
not the North, he asked, bear with them
and help them to overcome the past diff.
culties and make this land Of peace and
prosperity. He should vote for the res
olution even though he should be the
only member OF the party to do SO. II
this state OF affairs existed the parties
ought to be punished, and he did not
wish to have it said that he was in favor
OF protecting them, but he did not think
the reports were true, yet he was willing
10 have the subject investigated. The
speech throughout was highly concilia-
tory and dispassionate.
Mr.. Christiancy reviewed the decision
OF the Supreme Court last Monday, and
claimed that it did not admit Of the con.
struction placed on it by the Senator from
Delaware (Bayard). y.
Mr., Merrimon opposed the Mississippi
resolution. He moved to amend the pre-
amble as follows: "Whereas, it is alleged
that the election in Mississippi in 1873
for members OF Congress and State officers
and members OF the Legislature was
characterized by great frauds, ETC." He
moved to strike out the words "State
officers and members OF the Legislature"
He denied the power Of the Senate to
raise such committee, and devoted his
argument mainly to the Constitutionality
OF such power. he said the object Of
this proposed investigation was to man
ufacture political capital for the coming
elections.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen said that when the
right of suffrage had been conferred upon
an individual, he ought to have that
right guaranteed him, and should be
protected in that right. The Senator
from North Carolina, he said, had object
ed TO that, and said the Supreme Court
had so decided; but he begged to differ
with the Senator. That question had
never yet come before that tribunal. He
claimed that in this country OF all others,
the voter should be protected in his right
to vote, and Congress had power to pro.
tect him, and TO pass this resolution and
raise the committee for this purpose.
Mr.. Bayard further opposed the ap.
pointment Of the committee.
The subject was further discussed by
Frelinghuysen in favor Of and Herman,
Thurman and Salisbury in opposition.
The question was taken on the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Christiancy as asbu-
stitute, and it was adopted-yeas, %;
nays, 10.
The question was then taken on the
amendment OF Mr.. Merrimon to the pre-
amble, to strike out the words, "State
officers and members Of the Legislature"
and it was lOst-yeas, 16; nays, 20.
The question then recurred on the
adoption OF the preamble, and it was
adopted-yeas, 81; nays, 10.
The Senate then adjourned till Monday.