Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-07-27

believe that a negro is a citizen or ought to be one.
| believe that this Government was wisely founded
upon the white basis. 1t was made by while men
for The benefit Of white men and their posterity, to be
executed and managed by them. l freely concede
that humanity requires US to extend our protection
10 the Indian and other inferior races 10 extend
them ali the immunitiss they ae capable oil enjoying
consistent with the safety of society.
Then you AK me, "What are these rights what
is the nature and extent of those rights which a negro
ought to have1" Ny answer is that that IS a ques-
ton for each State and each Territory to decide tor
itself. In Illinois we have decided the negro not 10
be a slave, but We have determined that he Ia not q
cituen, and that he shall not enjoy any political
rights. | concur In the wisdom OF that policy, and
am content with it. i assert that the sovereignty oil
Illinois had a right 10 detei mine that question n we
have determined it, and | deny that any Other State
has e right 10 call us 10 account for that decision. l Ell
in the State OF Maine they have decided that = negro
shall exercise the rights of the elective franchise on
Al equality vHh the white man. l do not concur
in the good sense or correct tasie ot that decision on
tho part Of Maine. But l have no disposition 10 quar-
rel with her. II the people of Msine desire 10 ee put
on an equality with the negro-if the white voter
thinks the negro has a right 10 come and XII MS vote
by 9 negro vote, l have no disposition TO interfere. Ia
New York they have provided that q negro may vote
vote, but q poor fellow shall not do it. In New York
they think a rich negro is equal TO a White mau.-
ILaugnter.l Well, that is a matter OF taste. If they
don't carry their own doctrine outside and make a
quarrel with as, | shall aot Qusrre! win tnem'
There is d great deal OF philosophy in the remark
Of friend -, Of Kent county. squire, raid he,
"f a man chooses TO make a darnstion fool OF him
Golf, | spose there is no law agin IT. lnat IS all i
have to cay about this negro voting; II 10 1871 Tor The
States TO decide for Themselves. Ii they Wish to have
il so | have no cause to complain.
Then, when you pass into Kentucky, she decides
;hat 1t ls not consistent with her prosperity that a ne
gro should have privileges either pol;ica! Or personal
that is their affair. When the sovereignty Of Ken
lucky decides, there Is no power Oh earth TO which
yo1 can appeal to reverse it. Hence. l leave her as
the Constitution has LETT her, with the sovereign right
to have slavery or not, just as she chooses. So long
as l have power | will defend her against any assault,
from whatever source it may come. | will never
stop TO inquire whether l approve or disapprove OF
the domestic institutions Of the State. l will defend
her sovereignty from all assaults, in the hope that sh
will join to defend us when we are invaded By any
outside power. IApplsuse.l How are they to defend
the sovereign rights of our own State, to keep slave.
~ out, If We do not defend the sovereign rights oil
others
Let Kentucky or Virginia come here and say We