it could not take away a
right." He was asked as to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments: "Do
you regard them as in the same sense and to the same extent parts
of the constitution as other portions?" He answered: "Yes,
certainly. Can not men see the difference between opposing the
adoption of a measure and yielding when it has been adopted, and
opposition has become useless?" He was asked: "Are these amendments
never again to become political questions?" "I have no authority or
power to answer such a question. How can I answer as to all the
future? How can I tell what the Democracy of New York or any other
State may do? But how can they become political questions, now that
they are acquiesced in by almost the entire people of the country?"

Mr. Hubbard, the chairman of Colonel McCook's first meeting, said:
"The Democrats did not dispute that this amendment, which was
adopted by constitutional forms, was valid; but, while accepting
it, call it a 'new departure.' If you please, we don't surrender
the right to make such returns to the old constitution as we may
deem expedient. It is a future question that we are not bound to
discuss."

The gentleman who has the second place on the Democratic ticket,
Mr. Hunt, says: "There is no reasoning, and certainly no
circumstance, which can give the 13th amendment more binding force
than either of the other two amendments. If the 13th amendment
abolished slavery, then the title to vote under the 15th amendment
is as perfect as the title to liberty. The fact that they have been
declared a part of the constitution does not preclude any
legitimate discussion as to their expediency. Proper action will
never be barred, for the statute of limitation will run with the
constitution itself. Experience may teach the necessity of a change
in any provision of the organic law, and any legislation to be
permanent must conform to the living sentiment of the people."

These paragraphs furnish no adequate reply to the questions which
an intelligent and earnest Republican, who believes in the wisdom
and value of the amendments, would put to these distinguished
gentlemen, when they ask him for his vote. He would ask: "If the
Democratic party shall obtain the controlling power in the general
government, in its several departme