Stephen Myers to Frederick Douglass, April 8, 1859

PASSAGE OF THE SUFFRAGE RESOLUTIONS.

ALBANY, April 8, 1859.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.: DEAR FRIEND: —The Concurrent Resolutions, extending the Right of Suffrage, have just passed the Senate by the emphatic vote of 19 to 12. Every Republican, and Messrs. Johnson and Wetmore, Americans, voted aye, and every Democrat voted not, except Mr. J. D. Willard, the Senator from Mr. Rich's district, who "stepped out." Mr. O. B. Wheeler voted with the Democrats. Too much credit cannot be given to Messrs. Foote, Darling, Patterson and Noxon, who have nobly stood on the side of Freedom and Justice in this contest. The Republican party has emphatically vindicated itself from the aspersions cast upon it last fall, as being false to our cause, and and the delegates to the Troy Convention can with confidence come before the people, and say it has amply redeemed the pledge they made last fall.

I have from the first been sure of success at the Capitol, and have labored faithfully for the cause of our people in the Empire State. We have achieved a gallant victory, which is our people's and if I receive no other reward, I have ample satisfaction in having performed my duty, with such gratifying results. We believe their constituents will decisively ratify the action of the Republicans in the Legislature when the question comes before them next fall.

I shall attend personally to taking these Resolutions to the office of the Secretary of State on Monday, so that they will be there in time.

Yours, respectfully,

STEPHEN MYERS.