Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-12-19
THURSDAY, DECEMBER is. 1878.
Mr.. Blaine's Speech.

Not since the days of Webster and Clay
and the exciting debates of those great or
aiors has the Senate Chamber of the United
States been so crowded for the purpose of
listening to political debate, as it was on
Wednesday last 10 listen to Names illus
trious statesman, Senator Blaine. Every
available space was occupied, many prom
inent men from both political parties being
present. Those who went hoping and ex-
pecting TO listen TO TRADE against the
South which would be calculated to infame
the passions of one section of the country
against another, came away dissatisfied.
while those who had flattered themselves
with the belief that policy would lead the
Senator to pass lightly over the outrages
and frauds that have been carried on in
that section. were little less dissatisfied. II
was not a speech 20 suit the extremes In
either party, but will meet the hearty sp-
proval Of the candid. thinking, Iaw-abiding
and orderly citizens in both parties. II was
made in support of the resolution introduc-
ed by him at the beginning of the session,
aud was morderate, though firm in its de-
mand for the rights of every citizen in every
portion of the country. Ii was a clear and
iorcible exposition of the injustice to the
North of allowing the South the additional
representation in Congress which was
given il by the enfranchisement OF the ne
gro. while the rights of those enfraEchised
are completely overridden by force or
fraud. II the right TO vote without. intimi-
dation and to have that vote honestly count
ed could not be secured TO the negro, then
Mr.. Blaine asserts that justice 10 the north
requires that representation OF that class
shall not be allowed. lit is true that Re
publcans, in portions of the Southern
States, even when in the majority, were not
sllowed'a free expression Of their political
faith at the ballot box, or were defrauded
OF their rights by tissue ballots, or in any
other manner. by the Democrats. then it is
true that every Republican in the North
has been injured TO the extent of having
the vote OF Democratic citizeo in the South
count more than his Republican vote in the
North. He points out that the Northern
white voter who fought for the Union has
NOT SO weighty voice in the government
OF the country today, as the Southern white
voter who fought TO destroy the Union.
By this wholesale suppression of the negr"
vote, l,035, 900 white citizens of South Ca
roiina, Mississippi and Louisiana have as
many members of Congress as do the p
247.0O0 whites Of Iowa and Wisconsin.
1t is precisely this system of false repre-
sentation that has given the Democratic
party the control OF the House, and will
after the Fourth of March give them the
control Of the Senate also. While the Sen
ator showed no bitterness in his speech. he
warned the Democracy OF the danger at
tending such a course and assured them
that the North would not long submit 10
such gross injustice. Mr.. Blaine was list
ened to with the closest attention through
out. Only one reply can refute the mast
erly points of biz speech, and that is for the
Democrats TO show that no intimidation
nor fraud has been employed At the South
Unfortunately for them the testimony. ever
from members of their own party, is toe
overwhelming 10 allow OF the attempt &c
disprove. In the supplement to the AMER
ICAN which We shall issue next week, will
appear Mr.. Blaine's speech in full and W,
recommend its careful perusal by our read
ers.