Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-11-28
Constitutional Convention.

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The section prohibiting Negroes from coming to the
State and holding property again up for consider
aton Mr. MAeuIRE said, he should vote for the pro-
vision in the section prohibiting negroes from coming
into the State, believing it to be in with
the wishes Of his constituents but could not vote opro
hibt those here from holding property He cared
not how stringent the provision might be TO prevent
them from immigrating the State. Mr. MoRRIsoN
of Washington gave his views at length in favor Of pro-
hbtng Negroes from coming nto or settling in this State
and prohibiting them from holding property hereafter
He said that did he believe il was the will Of Heaven
that the should amagamate, he would IA
all measures encourage their residence amongst
u.s. but such he did not believe the will design of
Divine Providence On the contrary, he believed that
it designed that Africa should be reclaimed and civ
ilzed by the influence Of the African in this
try He then entered into detail of the operations of
the Colonization Society and the hopes that
tanned of the ultimate of its efforts He showed
what had already been done by the feeble Of the
Society, and what could be accomplished by enlarged
action. Mr. CooKERLy thought the time had arrived
when there should be action this question, and he
hoped that would be deferred from voting his
true sentiments by threats and of gentlemen
the other side of the questonand that the charge that
there is prosavery sentiment in this State to be PAN
dered to- would be with the contempt il merited
There is such sentiment to be pandered to- Indiana
We act here from selfdefence The people do not wish
this population amongst and he wished for half
way measures. He for the section as originally
reported. There were, this time twenty-three
hundred Negroes in his county, and his people did
wish any more of this population amongst them Mr..
SMITH of Ripley said, the subject had been
ed before bis constituents and hence he would favor sub
mitting the question again to the people He had lis
tened atentivey to the dscussion and instead of gain.
ing light the subject, confusion his mind was the
result He thought select should take the
in hand for he believed the section now stood
would be entirely imperative. He prepared to
say how he should vote when the proposition should
its ultimate shapes but if he could prevent the Ne
gro from coming here without outraging Justice and
humanity he would vote for IT,
Mr. GoorEE said, this subject had discussed before
his constituents, and he here to vote for any hui
name measure that would get rid of those here
and prevent others from coming the State. Mr. OWEN
said that there FIVE six questions in re-
lation Negroes and Mulattoes There was the CUES
ton Of prohibiting them from coming to the State the
question of prohibiting them from holding property; the
question of Negroes being witnesses; of the right of
suffrage and the Colonization question If all these
could be embodied together, they might come up at
once and discussion would answer for ALL He hoped
the sections would be referred
Mr.. FOSTER defined his position. He was in favor of
prohibiting negroes from coming nto settling in the
State but did wish interfere with those here
: He was in favor Of referring to committee He read,
conclusion the opinion Chief Justice Tancy where
he clearly and distinctly takes the position that the peo
pie of State have the right prohibit from entering
their borders, any persons population that would be
injurious to their peace and happiness. Mr.. CoLFAx
referred the act of Kentucky in refusing free people
of color residence in the State The excuse for that
reported in the Debates was, that the presence
free people of color there would endanger the safety
Of their slave property, called. But such excuse
shere hence their the justifiable Mr..
MCFARLAND was in favor of referring to a committee
He thought the debate should cease on the main
proposition until the committee should make its report
Mr. MORRISON of Marion thought, discussion would be
beneficial should the be referred In addi-
tion to this there were propositions connected with the
reference. that he could for. He pre-
pared in our present embarrassed condition State,
money of the treasury for the colonization
society The voice of the people of the whole State
clear and Ineligible in favor Of prohibiting negroes
5 from coming amongst from abroad, and this will
h should be regarded. Mr.. JONES Of Bartholomew was in
If of the sections reported by the committee and
prepared to vote for them; butt at the time,
he in favor Of making provision for the negroes now
here by appropratng money for colonizng them the
IS shores Of Africa He therefore favored referring the
whole subject the select committee. Before any ques-
e ton taken, the Convention adjourned.
In the afternoon the Convention resumed the consid
" Grafton of the question pending the adjournment
L The question being an amendment to the instruc-
e tons offered by Mr. SocKHARr, to the expediency
striking out the section reported by the committee
p and inserting the following:
'sThe General Assembly shall pass laws with as lit
tie delay as practicable, prohibiting negroes and muat
toes from coming into settling in this State and pro-
hbtng all negroes and mulattoes who have come into
this State since the 10th day of February 1891 and
who have complied with the provisions Of the Act Of
the General Assembly of this State, entitled, An act
concerning free negroes muiattoes servants and slaves
approved February TO- 1881, from purchasing real es
J. tate or any interest therein hereafter
Mr.. WOLFE called for dvisiono of the question. Mr.
LocKHART said that he prepared to vote for the
sections reported by the committee and would do
if he consulted his opinions or those Of his const
uents for this subject has been agtaed than aay
other in the counties which he represented but as there
l. opposition in other portions of the State he had
is moved the proposition under consideration as compro
mise; and there might be some doubt whether the
u provision, originally introduced Constitutional
the Legislature, under the act Of 1885, having nd
recy invited negroes the under certain rcstrc
% tions and if these complied with, whether
could prevent them from holding property He thcr
proceeded to discuss the Constitutional question;
produced many authorities in opposition TO the positions