Year: 1865


We present our readers the correspond
cncc in full.


THE LETTER FROM oBERLlN.


OBERLIN, July "a, 1865.


GEN. j. ID. Cox-Dear Sir. The people
of this place, with entire unanimity sought
your nomination fer Governor of Ohio
With equal unanmity we desire to promote
your election. We rejoiced in your nomi
nation because we had perfect confidence
that your views and sympathies were in har-
mony with our own on the great issue be
fore us-the equality of all men before the
law. We still believe that we were not mis-
taken. But some Of us have been startled
by report coming directly from Warren,
to the effect that you are opposed to giving
the elective franchise to colored people, and
that you requested the editor of The Ctron-
,cte to publish your views on the subject,
that you might not lose the support of
Union men in the Southern part of the
State. We do not credit the rumor, and
yet it has so disturbed some of your warm
est supporters, that the undersigned have
been requested to address you on the sub
ject.


We want to know directly from you your
views on the following subjects: lst Are
you in favor of modifying our Constitution
SO as to give the elective franchise to color
cd men? I'd. In the Reorganization of the
Southern States should the elective fran
chise be secured to the colored people?


Among us there is but one opinion on
this subject and we we're never more in
earnest on any political question. We be-
lieve that the distinction made by our Con
stitution between white and colorcd people
was made in the interest of slavery, and is
both wicked and absurd. And we believe
that to re- construct the Southern States and
admit them with Constitutions excluding
colored men from the polls would give the
country and the negro into the power Of
the very men who have sought and still de-
sire to ruin the one and enslave the other.


Deliver the four millions of freed people
into the hands of their former opprcssors,
now embittered by their defeat, and they
will make their condition worse than be-
fore. The Copperhcads of the North, the
united South, would gain control of the
General Government, and in various ways
would harrass and oppress the negroes and
their friends beyond endurance A war Of
races would be likely to result. If as ma
ton we can be so wicked as to deliver our
cOlored soldiers and the millions whose free
dom we are pledged to maintain, into the
poNCI VI tuC IibSt Clucl anu NlUulCllNC ltO-
pie that ever laid claim to civilization, a
terrible retribution will await u.s. We speak
strongly that you may know how we feel on
the subject.


| lift be said that the negroes of the South
are ignorant and unfit for the elective fran
chise, VIC answer, grant it; but this has
nothing to do with the question. Our col
ored soldiers who have fought three years
| for the Union are not of this class, nor are
tthose who have always been free, many OF
whom have amassed wealth. 1t is for these
we ask the elective franchise. Fit should
take year, or two or three to prepare the
mass to vote, we would be content. Though
we believe our free institutions would be
safer in the hands of the colored people as
they are, than in the hands of the best hall
Of the white population of the South. The
question is, Shall colored people be allowed
to vote? The enemies of our country say
no. The mass of the loyal say yes. So de-
cided are our people on the subject, that
they could by no means be persuaded tC
vote for man known to be opposed to it.
The Union party of this country, so far as
we know, are unanimous on the subject
and we believe that throughout the country
the party can be rallied on this platform
with greater enthusiasm than on any other
with one or two exceptions, all the leading
Republican papers are in favor of universe
suffrage. We believe that nothing coulc
be more suicidal to our party and the cause
of freedom than to reject this doctrine.


Please let us hear from you soon. 1t il
not our wish to publish your views, unless
you desire it. But we wish to have oul
own minds relieved, and to be able to con
tradict any false reports that may be in cir
oulation regarding your views on this sub
Iject.


Very truly and sincerely yours,


f. II. FAIRCAILD,


SAMUEL PLUMB,


Committee.