Mr. LEBLOND. Mr. Speaker, Ipropose to occupy the attention of the House but a moment; and I should not do so but for the fact that the 9th section of this bill aplies to these Territories a principle which I believe has never before been adopted in the organization of any Territory of the U.S. By this bill conrcss assumes in reference to suffrage in the lerritories a power which I believe it has never before exercised in the history of this Government. Now, sir, speaking for my self alone, I say that I do not believe Congress has any power to say to the people of the territories, “ You shall extend the right of suiirage to all your citizens irrespective of color.” This bill inaugurates a new system. It is the carrying out, in myjudgment, of a political scheme and in saying this, I ought to be exceedingly careful lest my distinguished colleague [fin SE HENER15ll0uld charge me with uttering sentiments reflecting upon the judgment and action of this Congress; for he seems to be peculiar in his notions as to the propriety of language to be used in this House. But, sir, I conceive that this provision of the bill before us has and can have no other purpose than to carry out this cherished idea that all men should be made equal before the law. I am aware that my colleague from the Cleve land district [Mr. Srsnnmo will vote against this bill if the 9th section be stricken out, and if left in of course I shall vote against it. I have made the motion to strike out this section because it raises directly the issue whether we in this Conwress are in favor of granting the right of suhrage to all classes irrespective of color. Gentlemen can now upon this proposition place themselves right before their constituents by declaring whether they are in favor of it; for let me say to gentlemen that those who vote against striking out this section place themselves on record as favoring equal suffrage throughout the whole country. Sir, if this Congress has the constitutional right to pass a provision of this kind, and if it is proper to bestow the right of suffrage upon the colored people of the erritories, the principle applies equally to the States. Gentlemen cannot ese a c this conclusion.