Page 1 |
Previous | 1 of 18 | Next |
|
This page
All
Subset |
[CHAPTER 26]
[Page 1]
BALLOTS OR BULLETS
Society can have but two forms by which the individual can defend himself from oppression. One is that which puts the musket into his hand, and tells him at the last resort to defend himself and his liberty. The other is that which puts into his hand the ballot, and tells him in every exigency to defend his rights with the ballot.
--Extract from Seward‟s speech at Cleveland, Ohio, October, 1860.1
If negroes had been allowed to vote, there would have been no Secession; if he votes now, there will be peace; without this, you must have a standing army. The ballot box or the cartridge box--choose ye between them.
--Extract from speech by Charles Sumner.2
Encouraged by General Butler in their struggle for the franchise, the free men of color of New Orleans organized a Negro branch of the Union Radical Association, held a meeting in New Orleans in November, 1863, and drew up a petition to Major George F. Shepley, the military Governor of Louisiana. They declared in the document that they were “fitted to enjoy the privileges and immunities belonging to the condition of citizens of the United States,” and asked him to decide whether they were to be “deprived of the right to assist in establishing in the New Convention a Civil Government in our beloved State of Louisiana, and also in choosing our representatives, both for the Legislature of the State, and for the Congress of the nation.” They pointed out in their plea for suffrage that they were peaceable citizens who paid taxes on more than $9,000,000 worth of property; that their fathers had fought in the Battle of New Orleans; and that they would continue to be loyal to the Union.
Object Description
Description
Tags
Comments
Post a Comment for Page 1
