The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-04-12
OTHER CASES.


His case is but an illustration, II
little stronger degree. Of lmany
others. A number had served more
than twenty years; many of then
almost twenty years; all had acquir
ed distinct and valuable rights, an,
all these rights were swept away
from them In an instant by an execu'
tive order, which put them all alike
In common disgrace, and sent then
adrift among their countrymen
whom they had done 50 much to de-
fend, branded as criminals who hat
either participated An the shooting, on
who had become accessories after the
fact, by protecting criminals who
had.
ROBBED OF RIGHTS.
These men had been given no OPP
portunity to be heard. 1t seemed
to me that no man in this country
was so humble that he should not
be given day in court somewhere,
or some time, or some place. to make
his defense, confront his acusers, and
refute their testimony against him;
and especially should soldiers have
the benefit of such a hearing
| believed that this was their right
under the constitution / did not be-
lleve that even the president. as COM
mander-in-chief OF the army, had
power to deprive them OF this right.
But without regard to that ques-
ton, felt that they should have
this opportunity. l secured II for
them. II was long hard contest in
the senate which ,resulted IN the
adoption of resolution ordering an
investigation.
/ spoke repeatedly in favor Of the
proposition, but the record will be
searched Gin vain TO find one word
of disrespect toward anybody from
the president down TO the humblest
nan figuring in any way In connec-
tion with the matter
AS A BIG QUESTION.
II was with me simply a great,
broad question OF constitutional power
on the one hand. and constitutional
right on the other II has been said
that It was an effort to secure the
negro vote. II tries the patience TO
answer such charges-but that claim
might be disposed Of, one would
think, by the simple statement that
for more than thirty years l have
been honored with that vote almost
TO a man. and simply because. as in
this case, have always upheld their
rights under the constitution and the
laws.
INVESTIGATION QUALIFIED.
The investigation has been in pro-
gress. II is not yet completed. /
would prefer not to speak OF the re-
suits until they have been fully de-
tcrmined but challenged as | am |
do not hesitate TO say tnat the tes-
timony so far taken justifles the In
] cannot here and now
analyze the testimony. but IL IS
CROUCH to say that the evidence al
ready taken warrants the belief that
not a man in that battalion fred q
gun. do not believe any testimony
can be secured that will retute any
thing that has been established.
! am not alone In this belief. All
the officers of that command, who,
It the beginning were by circum-
stantial evidence made TO believe
pators in the shooting, ar enow OF
the opinion--and have so testified
that all we're innocent.
RIGHTS VINDICATED.
But however all this may be, the
men have had a hearirE. They
have been permitted TO state their
defense; and whether that defense
prevail or not. II has been demon
stated that his is a government of
aw, q government where the rights
lf citizens, no matter how humble
hey may be, shall be protected by
he law, and under the law, and not
/ government under which, by auto
,ratic and arbitrary orders and de-
,rees, men may be dishonored and
stripped OF the most valuable rights. !
f there be any place In the United |
states where these sentiments should |
pc endorsed more heartily than an
)ther II Is here, In Ohio; In tine |
itate that gave TO the nations gal |
ky OF great men such defenders and |
ldvocates OF human rights as Joshua |
z. Glddings, BENJAMIN. r. Wade, Sal |
itated that this is government OF |
llbH T. tndHts JoHu oHtl man anu
William Mckinley.
But running through all this con-
ention there is found another broad |
md important question. What is /
he office OF senator? Is he a mere
Igent to register the will OF some
,ody else, or is he supposed TO have
opinions OF his own with liberty 10
tand for them in debate and when /
ie votes?
II he is & mere agent. why have I
We always tried 10 select for this 1
,reat Office men of ability and high
haracter? Anybody could follow |
somebody else. And why, II a sena-
or have no liberty of action,
Ihould he be held accountable for
he record he makes; and, II there