The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-25
BEACON LIGHTS FoR soUTHRoss.
MR. VAN BUREN'S OPINIONS AND VOTE
ON FREE NEGRO SUFFRAGE.

ON FREE NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
On the 18th Of September, 1921, the committee
on the right Of suffrage reported the following amend
mend to the Constitution See Debates of the Conven-
tion, page 1874
Every soaite male citizen Of the age Of 81 years
who shall nave resided in the State six months next
preceding any election, &c DC. shall be entitled to
vote" &c.
On the 10th September, (see page 1867 the above
amendment being under consideration, which had been
supported and opposed by various gentlemen, Mr..
Clarke said :" am unwilling to retain the word ohne,
because It's retention repugnant to all the principles
aud notions Of liberty 10 which we have heretofore
proessed to adhere, and Declaration Of Indepen
dence, which concise and just expose Of those prn
ciples. In that sacred instrument have recorded
the ncontroyertibe truths I'VE hold these truths to
be ssevdent, that all created equal that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unaenabe
rights that among them life, liberty, and the pur
suit Of happiness"
"The people Of color are--capablc Of giving their
consent aud since the formation Of your govern
ment, they have constituted portion Of the people
from whence your legislators have derived their Just
powers by retaining that word you deprive large
and reputable number Of the people Of this State OF
privileges and rights which they have enjoyed in com.
mon with us, and to which they justly entitled,
ever since the existence Of our government Same
day, see page 100.
Mr.. Jay moved that the word phite be stricken out
MIR. Kent supported the motion Of Mr.. Jay. " He
was disposed, however, 10 annex such qualifications
and conditions, should prevent them from coming
in bodies from other States, to vote at elections" Mr.
Kent proceeded to support the motion strike out on
the ground that would be violation Of the Consttn
ton Of the United States, to prohibit them from voting"
On the 10Th September, see page 1872 ~"
Col Young said, (see page 1917 The minds Of The
blacks are not competent TO vote. They too much
degraded to estimate the value exercise with fidelity
and discretion, that important right It would be un-
safe in their hands Their vote would be at the call
OF the richest purchaser II this class Of people should
hereafter arrive at such degree Of intelligence and
virtue as to inspire confidence, then il will be proper
confer this privilege upon them AT present, enanci-
pate and protect them, but withhold that privilege
which they will inevitably abuse. Look to Your ials
and pententaries-by whom are they filled BY the
very race whom it is now proposed 10 cothe with the
power OF deciding upon rour political rights.
IF there is that NATURAL inherent rgh, to VOTE which
some gentlemen have urged, it ought be further
tended In New Jersey, females formerly allowed
TO vote; and on that principle. you must admit ne
crosses, as well as negroes TO participate in the right
ofsuHage. Minors, too and aliens must no longer be
excluded, but the era Of good feeling be commenced
10 earnest"
Mr. Livingston said Sir, we are standing upon
the foundation Of good society The elements Of 90
vernment are scattered around US. All rights are bu-
RED; and from the shoots that spring from their grave
we are to weave a bower that shall overshadow and
protect our liberties Our proceeding. will pass in re-
view oeinre the power that elected U.s. and it will be for
The people TO decide, whether the blacks are elevated
upon ground that we cannot reach Sir. we, all Of
u.s. enter the government subject TO the implied condl-
ton, that our Constitution liable to revision and
alteration; and that blacks in this particular have vest
ed rights exempt from the power Of abridanent or al
teration, which tho whites have not, have vet 10
learn"
Mr. Jay (see page 20l) concluding his speech, said,
in reply, " have yet to notice The srgumen, Of the
gentleman from Saratoga Colonel Young j They were
avowcdy addressed, not TO our reason but to pre-
JUDGES; and so forcibiy have they been urged hHt
feel persuaded that they had more influence on the CON-
mee than oil that has been said beside on this occa-
sion. Though repeated in various FORMS they may be
summed up in th;s--that are accustomed to look
upon black men with contempt that we will not eat
with them; that we will not sit with them that we
will not serve with them in the militia, the juries
nor IN any manner associate with them; and thence it
is concluded that they ought not with How
sir, can that argument be answered by reason which
does not profess to be founded reason Why do
we feel reluctant to associate with black mcn' There
such reluctance in Europe in any country in
which slavery is unknown. II arises from associa
ton OF ideas. Slavery and black skin always present
themselves together to our minds. But with the dlm
mutton OF slavery, the prejudice is already diminished
aha wnen slavery shall be no longer known among u.s.
WIN perhaps disappear. But sir what sort Of arpu.
ment Is thsl viii not eat with Won. nor associate
win you' because you black therefore, will dis
hanch'se against you therefore, will condemn YOU
anu youi noceh' poser,y TO live forever as aliens in
your ns''Ve anu Mr. chairman, do trust that this
Committee will not to violate ali ,boss nrn.
pies upon which our free institutions are founded Or m
contradict all the professions which We so nrolnsels
make concerning the natural equality of all men, me
" to crafty odious and hope Temporary, prejudice.
Nor viii they endeavor to slight
by so perilous remedy the establishment, Of arse
aperpetnal, degraded and discontinued caste in the
midst Of our population.
These extracts will serve to show the grohnd on
which the question argued and decided Nothing
from Mr. VAN buren,, IN reply to all this cant about
equality between the whites and blacks Did HE re-
cognze the equality Judge, People OF Virginia, fo
Immediately on the termination Of these last remarks
(see page 20a the question on striking On, The ,ord
WHITE, was taken hy ayes and noes aud decided in The
atirmapve-Ayes SO, noes 59-a majority Of only -four
Mr.. VAN buren, voting in the affirmative ~
Gen. Root then observed (see same paee) that be