Mr. GRISWOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am much obliged to the Gentfrom Massachusetts, who has charge of this bill, for the very brief opportunity he has afforded me for explaining the vote I propose to give. I have always contended, Mr. Speaker, that the true theory of our Government demanded that the whole people should have the right of participating in that Government; that all who are to be the subjects of our laws should have a voice in the making of those laws. To this must the question of suffrage ultimately come. I have always been opposed to the modern distinction which has been made on account of color, and have voted whenever the opportunity has presented in accordance with this opposi;tion. In my own State and in the DistCol my vote has been given to abrogate this color distinction. Especially now that the chief cause of this distinction has been eradicated in the abolition of the institution of slavery, it is in my judgment quite time that our legislation should conform to the changed condition of things. In the present case, Mr. Speaker, my great embarrassment has been that it seems to be breaking down the barriers which I believe in observing and respecting, that of leaving the control of the question of suffrage with the States themselves. But, sir, I justify myself on this point in the fact that we are now legislating for a Territory over which no State government exists; and I can see no impropri ety or inconsistency, especially in the changed condition of our national affairs, in the congress of the U.S. prescribing conditions under which new States shall be admitted to a participation in the legislation of the country. I do not forget in this connection that the State government when organized will have the power to" repudiate these conditions and make such as they may see fit; but the moral force of a congressional expression cannot but have more or less effect, and the greater when that expression is on the side of humanity, right, and justice. Influenced thus, Mr. Speaker, by the varied and somewhat conflicting considerations that have weight in deciding on the question under consideration, I have come to the conclusion to record my vote 1st for the amendment offered by the Gentfrom Massachusetts, [Mr. Boutwell] and then for the bill as amended.