The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-12
The 9ailg Arsns,
ROCK ISLAND. rr.rrroTe
Concluded from second page. ,

mankind. Through the protracted remarks
OF the gentleman to-day he could utter nc
word; he could not, because it would no,
nave been truth If he had, that there was
single right of freedom or of citizenship
belonging to the black race of the South
that was not as secure and as we'll epioyed
as that of the proudest and freest white
man in the land. There is another re
markable fact, that in this Indictment of
the south there is no pretense that there
Is single menance in her present attitude
TO any OF the great interests of this country
not an lmputation of that character; for.
solid, as the phrase goes. as the south NAV
be, she stands In line with nearly major
lily or the American people upon every
question which is now discussed in this
country or argued here in her counsel
chamber. But to come to direct point,
the senator asserts that in consequence of
the suppression of the negro vote at the
south by means which are illegitimate and
irregular the south has disproportionate
power in this government. Before this
discussion is oyer / will show that no
negro vote has been suppressed in the
south. | will demonstrate that this poll
so much discussion and Misrepresentation
IS phenomenon that would occur in any
free society and that it has been brought
about by agencies which the intelligence
and virtue and sagacity and other eyi
dences of civilization always bring upon
classes that are ignorant and debased.
But assuming all that the gentleman saws
to be true, that there are in the House of
Representatives LOG Representatives cleo
ted of one party complexion and elected bv
no means not what he considered Iegiti-
mate, let us see where we stand in this
position, What interest of the north,
what interest of this country.
is endangered by it. With a united
vote of the south she stands a
powerless section 10 this government.
She is an important minority, unable to
protect single southern interest. But.
says the gentleman, under the operations
OF these amendments, the south have a
| representation not in proportion to the
constituency which | represented, and
South Carolina. Mississippi and Alabama
have twice as much power, or more than
that, as twice the number in some north
western states he mentioned. Every per
I gu cannot say because the black mau did
not vote the republican ticket he is a sup
pressed voter. The $4,000 people who
constitute the state of Maine have as much
power. not in this chamber alone, but in
this government, as the 100000 of the
state of New York; just as great power
of legislation, New England's $500, 900
are, under the constitution, six times as
powerful as New York's 100000. They
have as much power as the 100000 iu
the large northwestern states. This occurs
under the constitution, of which | make
no complaint. He would say to New Eng
land people that their direct foe was the
man who would kindle this fire. whose sub
terranean fame will liquify the very foun
dations on which these proud and free
commonweaths are now rearing their as
piring heads. He would discuss the sub.
ject further 10 the future.
Mr.. Blaine gave notice that he would al
the very earliest opportunity ask vote or
these resolutions.
| After some further discussion 10 the
same general view the resolution and
amendment were laid aside and the senate
| took up the bill to revise the patent laws,
Pending discussion adjourned