The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-09-29
BLACKS MAIDEN SPEECH.

BLAcH's MAIDEN SPEECH.
After further routine business the de.
bate on the election bill was resumed
and Gen. John @. Black, Of Illinois, ex-
commissioner OF pensions, took the
floor in support OF the bill. This was
his maiden speech in the house and he
was accorded impressive attention. In
beginning his argument Gen. Black said
he desired to discuss the pending ques-
ton In quiet and investigating spirit
He would not consider 1t from constl-
tutional standpoint, but as Democrat
and citizen would try to show his rea-
sons for favoring the repeal Of this sys-
tenn OF laws. They were enacted in 1855
and the most that could be claimed for
them was that they were designed to
stances that no longer exist
It was period following fierce and
demoralizing struggle; the system was
child Of the force, hatred and dread OF
men long arrayed on sectional lines
against each other. If these laws were
efficient and useful that time Is gone.
What is the Just thing to do now2
What is needed in this country now Is
an elevation OF the nature Of the fran.
chise. II men are fit to exercise this
right they should be deprived OF the
privilege OF participating in the govern
ment of their country. He did not
mean, he said, the ignorance OF books,
but ignorance Of the purpose, spirit and
genius OF American institutions. The
corrupt and venal voters constituted
the danger to the country. The elec.
tion laws do not meet this condition,
because they were not designed for this
purpose. They were designed to pro-
tecE and elevate an unfortunate race by
supporting them with the strong arm
OF the government. They were de-
signed to intensity the race issue. They
appealed to force, not to reason.
81 will vote" declared General Black
emphatically, "for any amount Of
money and force il necessary to uphold
the dignity OF the government and the
rights Of its citizens, but these laws do
neither"
DEMOCRATS ROASTED.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Blacks
speech Mr.. johnson, OF Indiana, took
the floor in opposition. He is fierce
partisan and Is known on the Demo-
cratic side us the "frebrand from Indi-
aDa." Said he:
"I want to stigInatize this bill as the
climax OF all that is audacious and vi
cious. It assails all that is near and
dear to tho American heart. 1t is the
unfortunate child OF a wretched con-
spiracy. 1t is conceived in spirit con-
trary to Che principles Of our govern
ment. It is a proposition to blot out
all tho laws to protect the purity of the
ballot and a cold blooded proposition
to repeal all laws against violations Of
election laws. To be consistent the
Democrats should repeal all other laws
for the punishment OF crime. counter
feiting, robbery and murder"
In sarcastic way he proceeded to
pay his respects to the Democrats who
held the constitution in their PRO
found and careful keeping and at
tackled the constitutionality of these
lave.
Texas, Simpson, of Texas, and Tucker,
OF Virginia, came in for a share OF his
sarcasm. To show that these laws
were not failures, as the Democrats had
claimed, he recounted the history OF
the Justification OF the returns OF 1886
by Sim Coy and Simon Perkins at In
dianapolis. Both were sent to the pen
itentiary.
The conclusion marked the first en-
trance into the debate OF the bloody
shirt With yehemence the Indianian
charged the Democratic party with be-
ing responsible for the violation Of. the
sanctity of the ballot box, with cor
rupting the conscience Of the nation,
and defying the public will. The part
OF the Democratic party in the struggle
for disunion was described, and then in
turn the Democratic party was charged
with forging the Morey letter in 1884;
with forging the returns in Chicago in
the same year that sent Joe Mackin to
the penitentiary; with forging returns
in Ohio aud Indiana; with frauds innu-
merable in New York; with deeds OF
violence in the south. The party that
has perpetrated all these wrongs now
contemplates this climax OF their
crimes, but let them enjoy their victory
without mental or moral reservation.
They have set no limit to their excuses.
The hour OF retribution will como. 1t
will take the party that has prostituted
the power given it for great public pur-
poses and hprl It into oblivion. Great
applause on the Republican side.
A PERSONAL ALIusIoN.
Mr.. Breckinridge, the silver tongued
Kentucky orator, followed. He hurled
defiance at the Indianan. "It the gem
tleman is a fair type" he said, "ot the
people OF his district, then they cannot
be criticised for sending here man
who denounces as infamous majority
ofthe people of this country. have q
profound pity for man who could
make such speech, who does not be-
lieve his countrymen are to be trusted.
With this I dismiss him from my mind
and speech"
Mr.. Johnson, springing to his feet and
reaching out his long arm in the direc-
ton OF Mr.. Breckinridge, (which the
gentleman from Kentucky would like to
dismiss.n
At this direct alIusion to the Pollard
Breckinridge breach OF promise suit
some Of the Republicans laughed, but
the laughter was drowned by storm
Of Democratic misses.
''such remark" ," replied Mr.. Breck-
inridge bitterly, ''only shows that the
gentleman has no sense Of the proprfeEy
and decency Of public life"
Mr.. Breckinridge's speech was de-
voted dlargely to the constitutional phase
Of the question.
The Democrats clustered around the
speaker and listened to the glowing
rarIods nj tha Kentnckv orator ira.