The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-08-19

-T-.
very warm debate ensued. The result was
that a motion was made and carried BY q MAJ
iority of nve "that Arthur ST. Clair,
-sen... Esq, be permitted to address the
convention +on those points which he
deems OF importance" The wording
of the resolution clearly shows that the con-
vention denied the right Of the Governor OF
the Territory to exercise any official control
or influence over their action.
ABSENCE OF PARTY SPIRIT
Within the present limits of Ohio in those
early days has been so well described by
Judge Jacob Burnet, q member Of the first
Council. and one of the strong men Of his
day, that q quotation of his exact words win
be pertinent and timely. He said:
when the proposition was made In $500 for
a change OF Government. party spiris was I'M
known In the Territory. The election of the
elder Adams had Just met with general appro-
baton, ana resolutions had been passed at
popular meetings to sustain his Administers
Government which then threatened the
peace of the nation. The troop of cavalry In
Cincinnati. commanded by Captain FindIay.
in which the writer of this note had the
honor Of being q private. presented a natter-
ing address to the President. rendering their
services to the Governments whenever it
should see proper to call them out. similar
offers were made from different parts of the
Western country, and, In fact. there
seemed to be but one sentiment pervadiag
the minds Of the people. Only four indivio-
uals in Cincinnati and its vicinity are now
remembered who then advocated the election
OF Mr.. Jefferson against Mi. A~dams-these
were Major David zeigler. William Henry
Harrison, William MCMILLAN and John
Smith,
'sThe exciting contest which agitated the
States during that election continues Judge
Burnet, twas not felt in the Territory. . . .
U-ntortunateiy. the political calm which pre-
vaded the Territory prior to the second session
of the General Assembly was of short dura-
tion. Very 500 after the plan was formed
to establish q State Government, the efforts
and influence of the party advocating the
succeeded in producing q high de-
gree OF excitement. The attention Of the
people was directed to the rights and privi-
leges enjoyed by the citizens of the States,
which were put In contrast with the restrie-
teens and disabilities imposed on the inhab-
i'an's OIL tne Ierratory. fne discrepancy was
paipabie, but no serious injury had resulted
rom " Nevertneiess the people became
convinced that their right were unneces-
sariiy withheld for the benefit OF a few favor
ties OF the deneral although
there was not the least foundation In truth
LOT TINS assertion"
LINE.
tne Color line was one OF the points OF
oanser AM omDarlassmen IN tne consen-
ton That gave Ohio q consultation, and had
not mooeration ana 2 patriotic Intention TO
Keep peace SO lar as possible prevailed among
the members, an endless amount OF trouble
might have been created. Some Two hundred
colored people were then residents Of the
territory. There seems to have been little or
no questioq - 70 Wnetner OHIO should be-
co"e = hree STATE or not DUE there was .
srea. oiversity OF OPINION as 70 wnetner the
Tree coioreo man should become Q cltizen or
NOT. Aie" OF tne memoers were disposed 70
give him fui citizenship, while Others con-
tenoed against aiiowin MN any other priv
iiege tnan the protection OF the law, and
from taxes and military duty. It
was proposed on one hand that the constitu-
ton should expressly declare that all colored
people were ineligible to any Office, civil or