The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-12

changed in any material particular in its
passage through congress.
A Lebanon letter to the Cincinnati En-
quirer of Feb. ,, 1856, which was widely
copied by papers over the United States,
SAYS.
In 1866 the Hon Godlove s. Orth was represen-
tatiye in congress from this district, and among
his warmest friends and most ardent supporters
was Mr.. stephen Neal. in the various political
battles from the first organization OF the repub-
lican party, they had been enlisted under the
same banner fought together on the political
skirmish line, rejOiced with each other over
political victories and together cOunseled as 10
the future of the country.
In April Of 1866 Mr.. Neal wrote 10 Mr.. Orth,
then in Washington, inclOsing a draft OF the
fourteenth amendment. substantially as it was
afterward adopted April %, 1866. Mr.. Orth
wrote TO Mr.. Neal acknowledging the receipt
OF his letter and inclOsure aud stated that ere
he Mr. Neal) received that letter il would be
introduced in congress. n few days later the
matter was taken up in congress, and on June
90, 1866, congress recommended TO the various
states the adoption of the same. Such is the
origin OF an act without which the emancipa-
ton of the slaves OF the South would have had
but little effect. BY this act citizenship was
defined, and the enactment by any state of q
law abridging any Of the rights or immunities
of citizenship forbidden. Henceforth all were
entitled to the equal protection of the law in
the enjoyment OF life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness of whatever color, race or pre-
viOus condition, and could be deprived of
neither except by due process OF law.
In the letter addressed to Mr.. Neal by Mr..
Orth he says: 81 copy your language to show
you how the Central directory have agreed
almost verbatim to your suggestion" The
Central directory" was the committee of
fifteen members of congress to mature the
reconstruction measures. The ultra repub-
lican members, though not fully satisfied with
the amendment as proposed by Mr.. Neal, ac-
guessed in it, as will appear by the debate on
! the measure. (See Congressional Globe, May,
! 1866, p. 2,459)
The Hon. Thad Stevens said: ''The propo-
sition is not all the committee desired. 1t falls
far short of my wishes but it fulflls my hopes.
l believe it is all that can be obtained in the
present state of public opinion"
Gen. Garfield said: al am willing to accept
the proposition, although l desire one amend
ment which will mention presently"
In Mr. Meals letter to Mr.. Orth, incloslng
the fourteenth amendment he urged Mr.. Orth
to resist the effort TO incorporate the fifteenth
amendment in the fourteenth, as it would be
perilOus to do So Mr.. Meals suggestions were
adopted and the fourteenth amendment is as
he proposed.
A few weeks ago the republicans of this
county got up an excursion to Indianapo-
lis to see Gen. Harrison. Mr.. Neal was
announced as one OF the speakers, which
called out the following letter:
In the Patriot notice that by the Partially
of some OF my republican neighbors who pro-
pose political excursion TO indianapolis that
without understanding my political status, they
have selected me as one OF the speakers on that
occasion, which position | cannot consistently
accept. | have no inclination now 10 enter
into discussion of political topics, not having
participated in any political convention of any
party for the last twenty years, although L
have voted every republican presidential cleo
toral ticket from 1856 % 1884, inclusive.
But since the reconstruction measures OF the
general government were adopted, ratified and
approved by all political parties, 1 have con-
sidered the stability OF the government equally
secure under the control Of either the repub-
lican or democratic party, though in the adj
ministratiOn of the government they differ more
or less in political and economic questions; and
while in all free governments political parties
are inevitable and needful, it Is neither desir-
able nor probable that any party shall per
peually be absolutely predominant since any
absolute power is liable TO be abused; and dur
ing the past history of this country this prin-
ciple has been exemplihed; and as long rs
people are capable or worthy OF selt-govern-
ment they will put one or another party an
power, as in their judgment the welfare OF the
country requires it.
From time 10 time political issues change,
and the issues presented by the different polit-
cal parties now are other and different, and
presented under different conditions from those
of twenty-five years past. With the lapse of
time old issues become settled, obsolete and
pass into history; and whenever it becomes
needful and proper patriotism must rise above
partisan allegiance. If it had been otherwise
in the past our country to-day would be dis
severed and discordant country; and we have
abundant evidence that there is no people in
the world as patriotic as the people OF this
country; and so far they have proved them.
selves sufficient for every political crisis, and
so long as they so act they prove themselves
worthy of free government
And while every voter should act according
to his own convictions of duty, this right