Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-01-15
INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, JANUARY Is, 1852.


Mr.. spann replied to Mr., Davis and contepded for
the necessity Of nflicng penalty upon negroes and
muattoes for coming into the State in violation OF the
Constitution.
Mr.. Milken drew contrast between the doctrine oi
moral suasion the Senator from Putnam would apply
II 10 the seller and the doctrine of legal suason
lie wished TO apply il the poor negro who perha g
nOrantly came into the State. He thought moral sua-
sion would he much properly applied in the
instance than the former. He also opposed the requr-
ed registration because negroes having certificates
might give them 70 those entitled to certificates and
10y making application TO the clerk of the court, get
another for themselves, and thus abnse the law. He
believed that any provisions of this kind would be dead
letter upon statute books, and he desired
moderate measures adopted would be consistent with
their duty under the Constitution.
Mr.. Secrest replied, and explained his position in
gard to moral snason He said his position on this sub.
ect had been msrepresented in the temperance
tion, and that he did give the senti-
ments there attributed 10 him. He prepared TO
vote for rlmost any proposition which that convention
would recommend. He argued at length favor Of
posing penalty reported by the committee He
contended that the interests Of both required
they should he separated, aLd the people Of the State
Gured that this Legislature should pass laws 10 prevent
Negroes from coming here. He thought the bill was
the most perfect proposition which could be prepared
for the action of the Legislature.
MIR. Davis tlonght the penalty proposed by tho COM
mlttee instead Of carrying the provisions of the
siiuton. violation of that instrument Ii was vo.
ation of the constitution Of the United States pass laws
State He thought the Convention clearly intended to
pat penalty upon Whites for employing Negroes and
not upon Negroes for coming here.
Mr.. DOugherty thought Senator could be more de-
termned TO carry out the Constitution than Limsef but
he thought this bin going farther than
sary. In lS4S and 1s49 be in the House o Repre-
sentaves, and though the Wmot Proviso and kindred
measures then popular his vote would uniformly
be found against them He thought, then that
going extreme in that matter and he feared that
we were now IN danger Of going TO the other extreme.
lie willing to 20 all proper lengths 10 carry out
this provision Of the constitution. He believed il 10 be
correct policy to prevent all Negroes and Muattoes
from coming into the State. Bnt should not 90 so
far TO nure ourselves Under the operations of this
law, the lais in the river counties wond he filed
with Negroes, and tie people Of those counties be
obliged feed them for thirty days perhaps longer.
He thought IL not good policy 60 impose this burden
upon the people Of the State lie wished milder
adopted than proposed by the committee. II
mild measures found after few years trial 10 he
insufficient, they could then be amended But he hoped
that il erred, il would he on the side of humanity.
Mr. Dunn AT some length, contended that the bill pro-
posed by the committee and Tie thirteenth article of the
constitution VIOLATIONS of the laws Of God and hu
mantv-that the bill intolerable system Of op-
pression and calculated take tie bread from the
mouth Of the Negro and drying up the of
light and life 10 him. He stigmatised the requirement
of registration disGraccial system OF marks and
brands. He conicnded that IL the second section Of the
thirteenth article Of the constitution could be carried out
all IL could well be done without statute enact
mcns with them. Negroes who were citizens Of
Massachusetts, had as good right to cumc here and
stay here ths present distinguished citizen OF that
State tho Secretary Of State Of the United States. He
believed that the provision Of the constitution which pro-
hibed Negroes from coming into the State VIOLA
on o the constitution Of the United States, and utterly
imperative. Nc-ro~e coming tLir
sachusetts, entitled, 10y the constitution oil the
United States all the rights and immunes of cit-
OF the class in this State. lie said
that he who to support imperative pre-
vision support nothing at ALL and was not
bound by such provision. He believed The people of In
diana did not require the adoption "i any such law.
They did not understand the effect OF this article oil the
constitution when they voted for it-a ptal fraud was
practiecd upon them. He had no sympathy with Abo-
onsis and therefore felt embarrassment in his pre-
sent position He believed that the old fashioned hon.
csiy stu in existence which would approve Of the
conduct Of any Senator who boldly took the side o right
and humanity. He appealed to the ministry of this State
talk the people this subject and set public SEN
tment right; for public sentiment wrong this
matter. and had been led astray by lie. Our people
had been made to believe false statep:cn that Ken,
tucky had adopted provision in her constitution
which wonld cause State 10 be flooded with broken
down Negroes and our ncyr houses would be filled with
them, and onr people bnthcned with their support. II
this rroIIson not adopted. BY these false state
mcnis overwhelming vote had been secured for this
article and this large brought forward 10
compel Senators for this law. But it better
fail under the of the people than into the hand
Of the living God He would have Senators change
places in Imagination, with the black man, and then
ask themselves if they ready do this great wick
edness.
Mr.. Davis replied, and couiendcd that the provision
to fine and mprison the Negro would weigh down the
law and make il dead letter. lie argued at some
length in favor of this position.
Mr. Hanna moved TO post pone the further consider
alton Of the matter uniil Monday next at two o'clock.
Carried.
The President announced the following committee on
dsiricting the State for judicial purposes Messrs.
Reid Kinnard Cravens Marshall Miller, Dougherty,
Walker, Tecgarden, Alexander, Longshore, Dawson,
and Crawford.
Also a communication from the State Temperance
Convention enclosing petitions for the suppression of
the sale of intoxicating liquors, signed 10y 10000
citizens of the State Also, resolution asking the pas
sage of law TO prohibit the selling of spurious liquors
Referred TO temperance committee.
Mr. Secrcst presented mem, rial from citizens of
Putnam county on the subject of making railroad and
other stocks the basis Of free banking. Referred TO the
on banks.