Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-31


shall be eligible at the several elections in this
State He would vote against the amendment himself;
but he wished members show their hands, that might
be seen whether there was indeed any Necessity of ref
errng the matter the people Before the question
was taken the Convention adjourned until Monday
morning at nine o'clock.
MONDAY, October %, 1S50.-The Convention
opened by prayer by the Rev. M. Bahb. Mr.. HIT
presented memorial from Isaac Blacklord and Others
the Executive committee Of the Colonization Society of
the State favor of provision in the Constitution in
aid of the objects of the Society," which read and re-
ferred Mr.. BORDEN presented petition from sundry
coored persons in Allen county, asking to be placed on
equality with white motion was made to reject:
when Mr.. PETIT said he would oppose the motion,
he in favor of receiving the petitions of all hui
beings that could either write their talk
The motion to reject withdrawn; when, motion
of Mr. EDMoNsroN, the petition laid upon the Ia
BILE. Mr.. BORDEN also presented petition from the
members of Baptist church in Steuben county, for
clause in the Constitution that every coIored person
who sets his foot Indiana soil shall be free Mr..
Smith of Scott said this petition at with the
Constitution of the United States and should be
from organized churches improper. He thought
they should petition as citizens and not churches.
There peculiar ri gifts given to any particular
church in government. Mr.. BORDEN thought there
should be objection urged against petitions coming
from any organization. Mr.. MORRISON of Marion
in favor of receiving all petitions He thought individu
ais and bodies of men, religious well others, had
right petition. The best method, in his opnion
dispose of these petitions, to refer them aad let
report be made at once, and the Convention would in
little time b0 troubled with such matters. On
motion of Mr. BORDEN, the petition was laid on the
table
The Convention resumed the consideration Of the
oution, providing for separate vote of the people, adj
hitting negroes tho right of suffrage with the pending
amendment providing that "negroes shall have the priv
ilege all elections" Mr.. MAY moved to
amend the amendment, by inserting-"under such re.
stric,ons and regulations may be deemed necessary"
Mr.. MAY said, it trumphantly asked the other
day. if there was member Of the Convention in favor
of negro surage' He did recognize the right of
gentlemen catechise members the floor; but he
would say he favor of negro suffrage; but he
prepared say under what circumstances he would
grant the right The negro was either human being
denied, under proper restrictions. White
entitled the right of suffrage 81 years Of age The
negro may not be prepared to twenty one, but
he may be at thrtyone oriyone or fyone years of
age There might also be literary qualifications requr
ed. 1t might he necessary qualification to require him
to read and write Mr.. READ of Clark had no feeling
against the negro On the contrary they had his
best sympathes. But, matter of self-deience In
diana would have take stand against this popula
ton. The old and decripid and vicious of the slave
States, being emancpated, woud be thrown upon
these States having refused residence of free negroes
hereafter to be emancpated amongst them. He beev-
ed under the circumstances surrounding us, the policy
contended for woud compel the whites give up the
State this population Mr.. STEVENSON said, that
less the black population be placed upon equality
with the whites inducements should he held in ia
vor Of their emigration the State. He in favor
Of their colonization to country, where they could have
a government Of their own. Even admitting them to
the right OF suffrage would take away their degra-
daon. They would still be degraded class, and the
injury the white would be meal culabe. He be-
leved that the free negroes here little removed
above those of the slave States Hopes held out
to them that they would be placed equality with
the whites, seen ly their petitions presented to
this Convenon and this the great barrier against
their going to Africa. BY taking firm stand, on this
question, these hopes would be destroyed and many
would willingly emiqrate to their own land. He was
operated upon by the feelings towards both in
his course. He had always been opposed to slavery
Mr. GRAHAM Of Warrick, in reference to the rcsou-
ton, as originally presented said, it would be correct
doctrine to present separate propositions to the people
where there doubt; but in question like this,
where the public sentiment Of the people almost al
together on side il would be useless and improper
There should be inducements held ont for negro emf
grafton, and he believed every friend Of freeso should
vote for prohibition. He was in favor Of having no
classes here n Indiana bat that every citizen should
have equal privileges. Mr.. CKumBAcKER favored the
objects Of the resolution, originally introduced That