t , IM- in i ii -.j-t..- w-.. r-" ' i n i.n ni i m
' L-; " ' ' SWiii'T cess. . ... y : , . ' , M i'il
..SJ...!'.r kfi
rcfuiv XTimr tviibit.
iMh eSii Son
: ' '.TEU1TIS. . ; , .i; '
-- ' " ,r'"-' f-. . .: u . ..
DoiriM per annum one half in aTance
J -Those wh inot; either t the time rZ mhscrihm
i r tohquentJy, pra nodee offoeitwih U hare
tiie' lnper Aeonied at the expiration of the
yffr, will he fverame aa dearing iu continuance
until eouittelinanded. , !
Not exceeding rrn ffiief rtllt) inserted Are
for a Dollar ; and twentjfire centa for each
uhMfluent pahliration': those greater lenci, in
proportion. If the number, of insertions i?not
mart9oni wem, they wiUk he continued until
deredjout, and charged accordingly.
STATE COIVVEIVTIOIV.
coktiwatios or rmoexxsiKas.
Satttrday, June 13.
The Order of the day being the Report
ef the Committee f the Wlwle, op the 4th
Rfsolution, which had reported a Resolu
tion in the following wonts, viz :
Retehed, That free Negroes and Mulattoei
within fear degrees, ahall hot he allowed id vote for
Members of tike Senate or House, of Commons of
I
thisSute." '
Mr. Bryan remarked, that the difficulty
he had suggested to the geivtleman from
Halifax (Judge Daniel,) had not bean, to
hjs mind, satisfactorily remored by that
gentleman ; and that he would briefly sub
mit to the Committee, his views upon this
aubject. It is remarked by a distioguish
ed author, " that the Constitution of a
State may be free, and the subject not so
the subject free, and not the Constitu
tion." I Tba free ne?ro. who rlne& not en
joy an equality of rights with the white
man, aitnoogn rie may be tree, to a certain
txtmt.lt subieet to a civil xhmerr. and this
is not inconsistent with the enjoyment of
iiin iwoi, aiiiHJuu ii. may ue a partial
restraint or modification of the uncontroll
ed exercise of all ifc nrivilM TK;
" - wmm m m W V V 3
state of society will be found to exist un
der almost every Government 5 for in pro
portion as you grant exclusive privileges
and rights, to nobles, or other nrivile?ed
orders of society, jou degrade, enslave
and diminish the rights of others, who are
excluded from a participation in them,
Aim uiua in a measure, praauce a system
nf civil lavety s and yet those Vho are
thus depriverl of the enjoyment of equal
rights ,fe freemen, and are recognized
as such : by the Constitution of the coun
try. I do not; therefore think, that much
strength of argument is derived from the
fact that they art cal led freemen, abstract
ly considered from their rights as such.
The gentleman further remarks, that they
served long and faithfully in the Re vol u -
rl,,,B 6nieni wouiu apply
with equal force and pertinency to our
staves, many of whom, the his tor t of our
country informs us, Kdid the State irreat
and important services," in that trying
ana momentous pertou, and fought man
fullvand bravelv in the embattled ranks
of our I Revolutionary armies 5" but the
force aind effect of this argument is much
diminished also, by the Tact, that at the
second; Congress of the United States, an
act was passed excluding them from bear
in arms in the militia. Honorable gen-
tiemes nave appealed to our magnanimi
ty, aid endeavored to excite bur sympa
thy intheir behalf to my mind their lot
and condition is a miserable one, and far
surpasses the nondescript situation of the
ancient Helots and Villiens, or the igno
ble condition of the oppressed peasantry
of Poland, or the equivocal freedom of the
European Swiss. This is to my mind,Va
nation if white neovfe. and the eninvment
of any civil or social rights, by a distinct
ciass 01 mqividuais, is merely permissive,
and unless there is a perfect equality in
every respect, it cannot be demanded as
rights the history of our country informs
us, that all the colored population were
originally slave, the first importation ha
ving been made into Virginia in the year
one th;oqand six hundred and twenty j
and it is now a matter nf rnrimia nA
ten j inqry, how those who were
subsequently emancipated, acquired the
political rights of freemen. T th.-
, 'V lvib IV UC
found on record, any act of ther;6overn-
iiiciu, wnereoy; mese rights have been
w. . ahw, is u not rather
to be feared tha.t partjrstrife and warfare.
. . ,p . . .l" - Fol,ucai mportance
""f inHiyiiwiia ui mc country ne
er intended', and that, a long and silent
acquiescence in the enjoyment of certain
political rights have created a violent
presumption in. their favor. I presume
thaM.wlien (her were emancipated, thr
ijcrniiueu witnoui any express au
thority, to eniov certain civil or anrisl
rignis the neace and aecnritv nf tAi;t.
required it. ftnl ihr- w nnthln.i.J
patible with th frmmA r"T-- ..r
aI Ci a . M 1 vS y J I
. VVii thU' Civil;or socialTights,
k! b ml . Mr rutice Blackstone to
itruuciDie to thrm i -tu. f
yel security., the right of Sonal
Mv : and the right of private oVoDertv;
C
ne doubted, that; the free negro
M be permitted in our Government,
mi
r . i. r
IUII V In nmr .11 u . . .
vested .i:.ti . wiuui oeing in-
araS S t,,0c Poical right? wTiich
w - " w a. ii i h mat i . -
-v-.oua,yQtf eloquently claimed for
nermltfPft Jv S V- 4 ' j
Ei thi ' t,W? a.nd
"P
whZJ: Vu "J- ?eV"?v
T . J " VJV 1 . . . reconects, tnat tbey never exer
he roust necesarilyf by virtue o the spirt ctsed that nrivile until aJ!on-fim f.
V a-' V"'
'whitfwiir.-,
which will enable him tomainta.n his new
in'lHtw S " n?,?oc,ety5 nA llMe
are all tnar hp rin r aim Ara.n. mAM
.L iu' "7 ,U1C
rintS. than tnnafk nr nrinnI c.rnnt
" i i-u V r " j'iwii me oiate ni iNorth Uarolina,
Lnr i? lUb'rt.ln Wyie Property, es- elected and chosen for that particular pur
jenttally requisite to preserve and main- posej" and in the bodjr of the Constu
tain the civil existence of this manufactn- tion, after enumerating the grievances,
red freeman. The nature nf nnr Pmv. n.i : if. fe. . .
.Li. -s--!i.s r .1
y. u v, c .usi.iu lonsi oi me coun-
iry, never contemplated nat hey should
whit mlUPn 2 J Wr'!J
: WJ!!!
on petition. &coF,the owner of a bUvp.
, wouwi.u. uuuiiii uu
u- i l . , '
la"hK t0 anc.pated, confer
upon that tribunal an v noweror authontv
to invest and confer unon the emancinated
i .... . . . a T v
slave any political rights ? In my hum-
v- . . . "p.""""
witn aue deference to the distinguished
.1 - ,. . . a
gentleman from -Hal.f.t (Judge Daniel.)
such a construction is a misrenresentation
of the powers of the act. It is true that
theemanrinatAr! elav. in iiioIiAa.1 n.a
r .iT 7 r 7 y j"U4u kii.s i m mcir ngnis & privilege!. & they vere
ol tbe term, is mail, a FrMmin. hut nn!vl. i j . ... 13 "
j.u .
so the master-he is by the opera-
tion ot that act. liberated and discharo-i.d
r. i i . . . . ...
.. .. ro, ami nominion o: nit mas-
ter, and made a free neffro." I wnuld
ask, in order to test the soundness of this
construction, if theLegislature of anv
v... -VU...C. ..c oi uutzcwmp
.v
gentleman will advance the opinion, that
any person, other than zxitxz can be
H,ra Wfiior memoers oi the
7 " 4 , "
tZ FgTnur v t r;n5!.rat0 arid from any other State, and shall en
the d i fficu ty which I suggested tt the joy therein, all the privileges of trade and
Sftu fl 5aJ,faX -a? !he Pmng commerce, subject to th? same duties,
Sl'J ? t Ve': r n "fi! Clrll5f 1" ?C " &C as the hbitanU thereof respecave-
fn thi.?er neKfitiTf JhatcC,aU'C 5 !t evcn w" contemplated, oadmit-
l l i auf i United States, ted, that free negroes, were intended to
A A n10 i"M4 within the provision. Th.
state shall be entitled to all the nnviUw k;.,. r i : .
,.. . . - . ,r e -
and immunities of citizens in the several
t-j ij l t r a
States." And is this the fact ? Has not
eur JLeeisIaturts declared, and tha t
...i i.V. r o n V
under the sanction of our Superior Courts,
2t. ? Be? COme ,nto?ur
State except under very severe restrict-
.u..s, a..u ii any oi tnern snan leave itand fied my mind, that previous to our Revo
be absent more than three months, he shall I t..;nn r..i - i r.L..
i . . V ... 1 -"" w"6 iiuic auer me aaopuon
in case he returns, be subjected to high of our Constitution, they were not per
penalties, denrived of his hbertvand r.l:u.j i. , ... r
a.,-a - ! .1 T,
duced to a condition worse than that of
r c..u r- i
r il ir " niiiar
i-k--K. I
fTh t qf !i J P.1111
of that State, and a case arising under it,
in which a free ne?ro cominv into th
State was declared by one of its Courts
to have incurred the Densities. THere
juuge uaniei remarked that the constitu
a ? - I - . a
nonaiiiy or mat law bad never been de
a. j i- " 7 I
jernuneu oy me oupreme yourt of that
J , Tst 7 ;uuJ
Mr. B. remarked thatthe force of the arT
gument was not much impaired by that
factif this law invnlvpd th n-r.if
rnalienable rights of man, and conflicted
- - - , ---' WI.UW Hill
witn the lundamental law of the land, and
was so manifest a violation ofi principle,
why was not the question carried by ap
peal to a tribunal of ultimate resort?
Why was the decision of an inferior Court,
upon a matter which involved the freedom
or slavery of a human being, acquiesced
in? If this supposed infringement of a
perfect risht.V was deemed of sufficient
importance to reauire a resort to an infe
rior Court, the magnitude of the princi-
pir, me iiiicrcKis ot;,uie country, ana jus
tice to the i free neffro. if the decision be
low were incorrect, demanded a correc
tion ot the error bv a Sunreme tribunal.
The uniform acquiescence in the consti
tutionality of the law, public opinion, le
gislative construction, and the decisions
oi our interior courts, ac least create a
violent nresumbtion in favor of its cor
rectness. and demand much resneet in the
discussion of a doubtful right The States
of Virginia, Ohio, Maryland,: Louisiana
ana otners. nave exDress v declared in
tneir respective uonstitutions, that a tree
negro is not a citizen, bv deorivinsr him
v Jfc f g
of the right of suffrage : and the gentleman
declare, that the Constitutions of those
several States were in conflict with the
Constitution of the United States, and
consequently void. I .will not attribute
such monstrous doctrines to that distin
guished gentleman ; although, according
. my iiuinme jungment, mere is a mani
fest conflict of authority and power, be.
tween theacts of the Legislaturet alluded
iu anu me constitutions ot these states,
and that of the United States,, if it be ih
?ritea u Pon th free, negro Is a citizen.
Ine gentleman frbmfWarren" (Mr. Ed
wards) expresses doubts, whether a,free
negro is not included in the termreeman,
so oftep mentioned in the Bill of . Rights
and Constitution of this Stat. If he be
the desenptii person, which that term in
eludes, there is then, an end of this diffi.
cultj and debate. The expressioli of opi
nion advanced bv the
of this Convention (Mr; -Macon) who was
vuioujjuiirj wuii me formation ot the
nfaaan s r.w ei!ti aT at. C l .
vuBUbuuvu ut mil DUIIC is ca
. generally received opinion on the W-
ifct" He ha declared, that previous to
the formation of that ConstituLn, a free
negro pever known to vote? and that
the adoption of the Constitution
o caPln to the Constitution of our
State, declares to be the Constitution
r form of government agreed to and re-
.. n ' .
S,I1TCU uponDy me xepreientaiives of tie
I r.,. r . .. ..
r -'F'"uui io wmcn we nau been
subjected by the British Monarch, it de-
dares that, " therefore, we the Beprtsen-
0f thft ffeemen North Caol .
Cn anJ y"-W in Congress, for
i iEFinrEi miiinna. ir r. ;
I wra n s
I ; ? prcTiuus io mai ume, nor un-
t,U long, tiinc ,ftePf permitted to v-te
1 thmv H . 'I.j .L -r.
lo-rs r xr.,r.r-- . ,u A
- . '"iimi , nicy nau no part nor
lot in the election of the representatives.
me lonnaiion oi our uontitution,
lth
. .... vuivaviuaiiTcs never uenvcii anv au-
th6rii from the Tree negroes, Tco".
Utifuont r r- r u o.x .
Constitution was not framed with an eye
I . .i. .... . . . .
icgarueu at mat time, as composing
a part, even of the freemen of North Car-
nl.n-. i j... j r .
...u mm uuc ueierence, i mane
the assertion, that thev are no
Lui.;. i,- m i - t
Constitution t ,.,ia JT-.r-ii i.
whether an instance can befbund, where
a ireenegro was permitted to vote for
ueiegates to tne Uongress of 1778, on
which the old . article? of Confederation
were forined ; and whether in declaring
therein, that the citizens of each State,
tnau nave tree ingress, and esress, to
1 """"j limes proves me contrarv,
UnJ tu- .ii r iL .-i'
ucuiaiaiions oi me venerame
gentleman from W.rrn. evtr vt. ,
k.- j lis. r"T"!.."""...
Mrcu mis voovenuon, tnai pre-
vious to x that time, and long after,
th7 were not considered as citilens, so
as to entitle them to vote. Having satis.
u""cu nor regaraeu as citizens,
an r. .l. 'l..!.,...
iu iuc acceptation oi irte
term required bv the Constitution, I
ictjMncu uy ine vonsutution,
weuld enquire, how have they since be
come freemen and citizens, so as to -nti-
tle them to this important privilege ? As
was very properly remarked by the gen
tleman from Warren, Mr. Macon,) who
ever neara oi a colored man beini natu
' uciiij; cai
ralized, or being called upon to take the
oath of allegiance? I venture to affirm,
thatno sch record can be produced, and
n0 one instance alluded to If then free
nesrroes it thus rMntiM f;m.
" :Lj 7: wctc
not regarded as citizens. &c. can the
State of North Carolina, make them ct
tizens of these United States, either by
any power lhe may derive from her own
Constitution, or the exercise of those re
served rights, which the Constitution of
the United States guarantees to each
State ? One of the expressly granted
powers to Congress, is, to establish an
uniform rule of naturalization ; and, so
long as a provision to effect this object, is
m existence, l apprehend that no State
rights.of citizenship of these U. States.
in aoy other way, or by any other pre
scribed mode ; I would even go further,
and say, that if thev are to all intents and
purposes, citizens of the State, they are
citizens of the United States ; and if my
construction be correct, the same power,
viz. ourSuperiorCourtswhich emanci
pates the Slave frAgli the control and do
minion of his master, makes him a citi
zen ot the United States, inasmuch as the
advocates contend that an emancipated
Slave is a freeman, and I has a right to
vote. This would be a virtual repeal of
the exercise of, or. a concurrenU'power
with the naturalization acts of the United
States, either of which, Ijneed not say,
would be unconstitutional. What be
comes of the inalienable rights of these
boasted freemen and citizens, when the
Legislature of our State passed an act, au
thorizing the Courts, noon1 rnnvirtinn nf
any of them, for a petty misdemeanor andJ
n..iriHkil!. I . . . a i ' . I l
lunuiiuj ui, mcir pari.io pay me cos is
thus incurred, that thev should be hired
but for the same ? If the same nolicv
had have been adopted, with regard to
me jree wmie citizens, is there a doubt
in tins Convention, but that with one
voice; from the Mountain tn the Sea
shore, the people, the judiciary, and all
the powers of the gverhrhenV would
have declared, that the act was void, and
that it was an unconstitiitlonal depri
vation of the liberties and Inrivileres nf a'
freeman
ian.'; It cannot be disguised that
there is a vast and mihtv diflVren
twten the Constitutional rights anid pri-
viicgcsi oi a iree wnue man, and a free
negro, or else thel leirislative constrne-
titn, and acts, have done gross and vio-
... . r vv 7.i""-. . 4 ' -vw.a.o me ucmssiii ui vuiiccuiiiji
hf. f .cl"!.f .!"". t. theloiher., and the best policy require thai
rizhts of citizenshia of these TJ. Atatoo er.n..i,i .rin tu.! .i... .u:.L
inhabit" T? T Kr? ,of
innaoitants. it ia sIia tma .
Pn.A,; w - V ,f
tOnventlon act. bv Virtue nf whirk
.......I . . i , - -w wiv luatuMiiiiiisui me country. Au
are authorized to amend the ConstMiitinn. mif ki i, r A .
hely15 " of restrict
rignioi iree ne?roes or muratnes to
nu hI r r 7i .
vote, woultf seemio imply, that they
were heretofore entitled to this nriviloir.
.-l . ' . . .
orjrhy abrogate and restrict, that which
toidmi? tfc TJ0 ? ' V"? trCC Je !?im t0aflavery fm liniet mote igno
tp admit, that this has been regarded as s m mA... tJ : rir t .-r .? ,
rU..kir..i .
wwHui.ui iiziiu 'inn inai in fTnrt(inv
th An-,AA :-: L- i t r i-" vintcnj-jou increase, tne sour
rne decided obinion which , T maintain. T . r - .i?'- ... .
differ frnm mln. f kl 7 .
1 JT 7 ."0 distinguish-
cannot Kai;ik i r.il 7
cannot believe that c ause of the act as a
concession of th
ttiiuciiicii oi litis, convention, nut
isTis-.-::, " 7 P-f on ox me
. i .
i hawVk-- 1 . 7 01 - e pMp,C
tO have thlS Ions' VPT(I nnAct nn ni.e fn
roar T 1.. 4 ... ...
rest. I have ever entertained the opm -
ion that thev had no rurht tn VAt. -ni
millt'pnnfiiei ' fk.t T I L - - , 5
must confess, that I have heard nn xmi.
t. . . .
ment that r.nnvmrot ma nf tU .
rTk" ; r" "
.he only Sou, Un State in U,
that has permitted them ta n nv t;.
vi vuai vuiiiiuii. irin i xrn im u
l -i r. J J. p-;
uuervain extenus, her interests have
u . . " .
as inv cxnenence snn
not been promoted by the concession of It may be urged that this is a haAh and
the privilege : &. I venture tnsert. th.tL.,.i j..,.:.6. . . ? . . .-. u
.L 'if. ' . e 7 1 .
the Welfare and nrnanonto nf tk... C--...-&1
materiallv advanced, h "
inai,iiac ciciuuea mem. nave nrpn vrr
. r , : -"
, .y f T" r "J "-v-'6 mem
me elective iranchise. As I
..mil.Laj ... . .. c r . j
lma dhJVSa naU0n?f pto-
" ... iiunors, uigniues, ami
mhiic, aic aiune onen in. ami n
be ehlOVCd bV White nOnnU T mm fnm
i ' r T r r V. .
amalgamation of colours. The God of na
ture has made this marked and ,!.
jtr . 4. -
u.mcciacucmeen us, ior some wtse
r-.r , vuivu. incir
proper and appropriate nart of the tHohe.
IluranHP- anil SDCIirnail tn aooK 1 . I :
"? i 1 never"n.C0.wenVMtt,S'q"a.ht aDdth7 have acquiesced inhis deter
until 'the Ethiopian shall be enable tn minium -;(, k--r..i-- j " . .
..k. u:- t T . ..
's7 tv inc Parfl bis
spots.' Does expedisncv. or a sound no-1
icy require us to grant them this privi-
Alf J aWaref that Cre manJr
V u","unai"ace. wno are aeserv-
inr of a better nnlitira f9ta 1
entailed upon them by this act of disfran-
chisement, and whilst I regret the neces-
m " f w imv a sacs is win sir
a 1 v I
sity .wn.ich compels me to include the
niul xmnnor th Karl T m.. . .nr 4l !
b , .UH3v i.vir me
sound political maxim, that the interest
of the lew, mast yield to the public good,
it IS Said that It IS an net nf rnsi mine. I
; - -7 "rt,v: ,T-
tlCe, and a Violation Of the Constitution.
. j- r-- u' . , ' " '
to aisirancnise those who nav taxes. &r.
uu tv vuuuui meir property ana liber-
a.u: . '
Lit. a ww ian .1. ww iin.ii a urir rrTrrv.vrainrififl r
S . . V;;7 ".
ever uiaue . vvn ouruens ot the go-
vernment do thev bear, and to what .
mount is the public lreasury swelled by
. . ' : . i
w . ! ii imi uiccauaici I a iu in.
i . r il . 6 , . u,c
laws ot tnp land nir tn Kam k. n I
joyment of personal security, personal
1 1 Deny, ana private nroperty, and ex
empt them from manv onerous duties,
they are well repaid for their poor, and
- 0
Verv inadeouate sunnnort of th o-nwm.
- ---i-7 . " rr ;
ment. It this be truly a violation of the
Constitution, it would by the same rea-
soning, be equally as unjust andpppres
sive, to exclude them from seats in the
Senate and House of Commons, from the
otnees ot Governor. Jud&re. &c. for i hv
that instrument, they are entitled to vote.
they are not debarred bv that instrument,
e .1 . r ..' .. . 7 ' I
trom the enii.vmpnt nl thA kii S?imnr.
terest do they feel in the welfare and pros- ty and wisdom, and although thev have
neritv ot the vav.rnmani ) Wk.n k.L u: it -m J
. j - j & i'l'pui- v,- ui it will, prouuee a puoiic good.
tant posts of honor and emolument. Mr. McQueen observed, that.no entle
There must be some stonnin? nlace to man wnnld h mnn. l i.:
., , ... .. . r 7 L
this latitudinanan concession of political
rights, for the more you make, the great-
jw- -i.wva.va uaTk u.ai cuuic wiucn win
create the least disatisfaction,fand close
uie avenue ui meir amuiuous nopes, and lieved, indulged in feelings of profounder
give certaintv and nermanencv to nur in.lvmntUrnrhnmon k.nki:j .i
. . i j M" J ---f .w. i. ui'iuii nvt.auucuiu W IICiC
stuutions upon this subject in all coming cases of individual suffering were presen
time. Suppose by admitting them into ted. But where public policy and public
the political fa mi I r of the State, thev justice urrd th nrm-inr. r.J..i..
, i I . , J . jv.ui iuuiiviV VI auj u ii -
should increase in number so as to con- ty upon him, he felt'himself imperiously
stitute the majority, of voters, will this bound to stifle the remonstrances of feel
construction which their advocates have ing and to resign himself to the convic
given to our Constitution, exclude them tions of duty. He said that he wa per
from all the hiirh offices of the State, and fectlv eon v'mr.Pd that ,ian;i ru tLl.
, . . . " ' i
deprive them of the sole control and man-
agement of our State government? I
answer no ! and the extension of the prin-
ciples of their argument, satisfactorily
convinces me of the danger, illegality
and inexpediency of the proposed raea-
sure, and of the certainty that the Con-
stitutipn never contemplated that they
were embraced within the term free-
men,' as therein contained, or that they
were entitled to the political privileges
appertaining to that terra. The State of
North Carolina is surrounded by States,
that have taken away from them, all the
privileges of fremen, except tHbse of a
social character. Lfet it be understood
that we have incorporated In our Consti-lpose
vuuwu, a. uiutisiuii, crauiiuz mem cer-ito
Uin high political nghU, and given to
them an equality, which is extended to
them in no other State : and what. will
. ------ ......
be. the Consequence ? Our good old State
will become the asylum of Cree negroes;
they wilt come in crowds, from the North,'
wrvvw. , w oi, auu nc aiiaii ir uTcrrun
bV a fniierahl and tvnrthtta mtmit.tr. .
if We hbld OUt inducements. Io ahv nor- I
tion of the human race, to come and set-I
Ue among s, let it be to those of sober,
' - - - ji- . ; ISK; .
lonest and industriouhSus; and such
r..t ... ... 11 . . T. . -
- i ee.i an interest in, and doly apprect-
n f r.. - ' . .
extend the fight of suffrage t9 the free
;"-e,M v wneui mm, oraavance tne
interest of the country ! Sir, yu
mW u:-. l. . v t . J
I " iiiiu ine uurrupi looi oi me aesi?n-
ing and ambitious. demaSo2ue. and sSb-
o.a.i mat ui me aisirancnisea
nri. .::. ..
. V pnon tor your own citizen ,
without conferring any benefit on the free
nov Tk. .r- - r
c icinciion or me ngnttto
vote, to tliose who shall be oossessed of
L r..i. . . - "an "c possesseu oi
. . ine vaiue oi iwo.nun-
dred and fifty dollars, free fromAll in
cu,nt)rces, will be either productive of
I t. C I ' . " .
1 . .. " '"vii. IO ail UUUUSl IO-
hal disfranchisement. I am ooDosed io
Lv.v. f am opposeu m
.j ...rnSU1r w,Cn I Ml COnniCt Wltll
mv .nn. ..j - r..
I - u iiions oi-me construction
LfiL. .ii n- . wiu.uubuuu
rV inpo'" institution, and entertainins
Mh... ..;. n ..
K edcV'oT; .TiS
. rLx .. . J ?
"cn.i,Scni mai ine voice ot the tree
nnom chnnU u. i , . ..
i 6 .iiw.iu' vci"ii. or ue neara in the
disposition of mv nronertv nd .Mt.
"owiiiue, ana unjust, and bv no
. . . . J . J
'iiwiw iwiprucai in us operation. - i do
nn ui , .
e(laa,ll7. DetweC11
uic wnue man and tree negro, in the en
p'niutai ngnis me rree ne-
gro is the citizen of ntcessitn, and must,
as long as he abides among us, submit to
h i.. , .u r t ... - .
fL!. .. J .
ai,v Ul 1,15 s'iuauon compel us to adopt,
It U a,M tk k. i r
riTf X ..r..r "6 J "
' ur-ittuc uiem, ana mus maxe
them dangerous citizens. The fact proves
1.1 . .. . .
me reverse, tor in several ot the Eastern
rniintia ilia. . v .
"""" "ccnuiiiess.anu content-
ment their excite.oent and interest, nev
pr mxtanA u,n. ,u :
fication of the enjojments of thenu.ter
Sround anU election, and their patriotism
is limited to the little selfish feeling o
.ir : ... . "a w
i aru.ini iirirr w n a riw :
give them, together with the sycophancy
which the d
O O iiiv9 t,u i II C Ilia I Ii
the shape of spirituous liquor, and con-
J . .
graiuuuons tor tne welfare ot his wife
Und rh;idr-n I wk 1. r
great principles government, and what
inA.a .1 iL. c I r . . -
uo mey leei ior its welfare, and
nrnenun i I ' : . I-
t"""i'-' rucncnce, expeuien-
lev ,nH nnnri
rv, a,c t-ouvincea an
ot our Southern-sister States, that thev
naugcruus anu useless citizens.
a ta i m a i . -
i Here Mr. B. read the articles from the
ld;ffVfnr nAn.u..: .
States o this subject These articles
vKiuuiuiiuui ui ine several
am inp nirsnpino ni .ai . t . .
" umuiiig caicacy upun us, yet we mav
. . I ... y -
and difficult! thf m.k k t J
" aaa c il u iiici w ss is-.
cur. I differ in these onininns. fmL
Inv i;o;r. .:. ai
""""oUi'iicu gcunemeii in mis i;on
vention, and I mav be nermittd tn r
mark, that it has had the effect, to induce
me to examineland scrutinize those opin
ions with greajt care, and assiduity, aad
all my Jnvestigations have resulted iu a
nrmer couvictjon of their truth and cor-
rectness. This conclusion mav wnrlr in
some mstanrpd mn
. .. tu
. " ii.M.iiiis, uai I. lit I IUJUS-
inii k...: n .ii.i . .. i
!iiiaui Uiail IIIIIIt
self to vote for the introduction of any
clause in our fundamental system of laws
wiucn wouiu curtail the nnv ep-es ri mi-
nun the h.ppine.sor pain UiSSbil Ue.
;f i vv.. vr : c usioumcs
oi any ciass or numan beings on earth, no
matter how humble and that few, he be-
j . ufcumi ui me ugni
of suffrage to the free persons of color
would onerate with mmo (1r.. ,,fu..k
ness in a few instances ; for there were
some of that unfortunate class who had
singled themselves out from their associ-
ates by their meritorious and exemplary
conduct, but that it would be an impoli-
tic species of legislation to release the
operation of a general principle for the
benefit of a few individuals. He should
consequently vote for a total abrotion
of their righto vote. - e
He differed entirely iwith his friend from
Rowan (Mr. Giles) in the belief that the
right of auffrage should be extended to
of acting as a stimulus to virtue and
merit. . rttain nf rmAnn k.-
been usually extended tothem on the same
principle, but it was never contemplated
in admitting h ,;k;n i. .ri:
... - .. ...w.it i vii. aa uajs vn vig ui Al -
berty, that they were to enjoy the benefit
of a full political or social communion
with the whites. !' The nature of our con-
luuioo aua me cast oi puDiic sentiment in
I . k.a AA
to anv aneh araTnf thinira a tki . anl
f we once commence the, work of holding
ut to them political ffnvileges, as an in-
pciuuiicu iu oorrow ngnt rrom prox
imate Constellations,' j!and bv adopting
the experience of oth firs. AVmrl 'HenrrAna
0
citement to SrBnerwe niight iweUfini
sert seme clause in the Constitution i mar
ine the hiffhest offices 'of th rAuritiMrna..
ctssible to them, and providing that the j
should have their special.RepreseaUtif eei u
... .c uioic anu reuerai councils.
4 Mf McQ. said, it must be admitted by
every memper on thai floor, that
" 11 i ior me puoiic oenenr; tnac
rney snouid do so 5 that they should, front A m
maxims ofbund bolicy. withhold certain !Vt.ijl
immunities from one class of citiienswhicHy4i
are extendedlo another class. :
It lias been deemed advisable, In iilaw - iN
countrv. to render tfiW PraIiUnfia. ,t7hii .'i. '
inaccessible to all( persons " of fireigia
births The donsututiohsf somis :.f Jthjfc -States
have excluded from giving testimo-
ny in the Courts, and from being eTected
to nFKe (Km. I.-m!.W.L.-..-J aiii---.;
istence 0 a future state, on the grooml; A
that such persons; havin? no faith inJthat
sacred system of. laws which constittitett t
. . ih i..usiu, uuiy not US'! re
lied on in the testimnn V whirk rKv wntiM
render J and; that they were notfit guar- if
dianS'nf the htlhliar inl.rail in -nv ;mnn-
tant office, inasmuch as they repelled
beliejffin that Ueilgion; whiclv has beea
uniformly considered he principal) cbnmi
- jiMJug iiapiiiieas. .ini. j
onsututipn ot almost every State, in this r
Confederacy, has a clause inserted in it
requiring a residence of 12 months'injthe
State, from every citizen, before he shall ; J
be entitled to a vote. This ifar thnur.
pose of his acquiring such an interest la
.. .a, c vi uic cvmmunity in wnicnaie-1 .1
resides, as will guide his vote ihhB"dif -
ferent elections. No perion under twien-:
ty-one vearsv of a. m tki. .Anni- Y-.H1
ll" ' Ol VVVUUIt": .
allowed to vote, no matter ho wWghly;
cultivated his mind, how sound his iudr-
ment and how pure hisiharacte? onh r
ground that the generalityoucrtH v
sons do not entertain justxonceptions of
the public nterests7 " KonnmtU'
not endowed with' a freehold utlificatitjri v
Of fiftV aCTM nflanrl n k!a , G1a Vk-.
-j T Villi -UWIC 'VAU
vote for a Senator, and no person notrpos
sesSed of a freehold or800 acreyis eotu
tied to a seat in thp 9n.i' Vtu'... lI-.
all prohibitions, restrictions and Exclusi
ons which have been deemed essential to
the public welfaVe, wherever they haveV
been adopted. Now. he asked, Mere it
the monstrous breach of justice, and hu manity
iaVxcluding free mulattoes from
ih r'itrht nf ...fr..M.M re.-? "i'-A. . . .
....v,.. auiiiagc, 11 uieae resinctions
on the liberty of white persohToe
uounu poncy and justice t No person
would denir that we miKf i;Waii-
claring that no citizen of Africa ihould"
vote in theeIections WmisState,hougli
he landed on thf American shore invested'
wun tne mantle of freedom and 'why I
Because,: he contracted notions an the
land or his birth. t Vipinr. :k
intersofthe country. If he did not
relish the institutions of this country,' with,
that restriction imposed, he might depart, i
If then, there would be no pecuiiareV
gree of hardshin in exrludihv thr... 4. '
cans from the right of suffrage who were
..c wuou iney sieppeaon the shore or,
this countrv, where Would i fh mon
strous injustice of excluding those froni
me paieot the elective privilege whom we
have released mm slavery those whom
we have absolutely folivm&AiitJf -ki!.
burthens which they brought with then
here. .-w,
Now, Mr. Chairman. M Vf-nr v
thisquesUon . Does a free negro aspire
to the blessing, merelr for the slr f
acq uirinsr a riffht to vot. nr tna r,. hi..
singorfreedonf bring along with it a pride
of character which makes him aspire to'
this 'right r, in other words, would he
reject the boon; of freedom, if proffered
him unassociated with , ri-ht
Jlie probability is, that the right of iuf.
frap-p nrvpi nf.ra u; 1. . 1 l.. t .
o uu iicau wnen ne is
struggliiig to obtain hU freedom : he is
willing to accent of it On llmnal anv mar-
ditions you majdictate. Now, it is pro
posed to invest the free
the most important privilege which is ex
ercised by the white population of the
countfy. Whence do they derive their
... .v vim- ciuauiy 01 privilege r Are
they recognized bv public sentiment as :
constituting that class f nannl
which the political TiOWer nf thia rinintrw
should flow in the whole, or even in part e1
Ta L-i I.S . . . A
i mere any gentleman on this tloer whe
would be willing tn h rlk f ;r
rage extended to free nersons of rnfov.
if tey were .likelf,t6 constitute a majo-
in; ,i Tuicnio me otaier wnat sad
disasters would flow from such a state of
things as this ? Well, if we would not
be willinsr to invest them with fWrikf !
of suffrage, in case tliey were in a majo
rity, it is not a sound principle to extend
it to thero whist they are in a minority i
for no principle is a sound one, WhuH
cannot be carried out The nnblie ken.
timent of this country does not admit them
iu m enjoyment 01 any omce or honor or
profit, yet, strange to tell r. the law ef the
country - permits them to have a voice in.
excluding white persons frprnjofficft..
Now, sir, said Mr, McQ. I do insist
that there is , a. Jos4(partitioo-line be
between the fitnesaof free negroes .taes
ercise the right of suffrage, ana free JfJii to -persons.?
The negro came to'thia ioun
try in state of slavery, with eo" eiDtctt- .
t rtrf