Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-15

Tue privileges ana lmmunlble6 OF cltZenG IN tnt
several States But such persons muat be cti.
zens of the United States, and this clause Of
the Constitution does not, therefore, apply to
such as negroes and foreigners who may have
all the rights of citizenship in some State by
virtue OF local statute to that effect. A
foreigner can by local law become citizen OF
o State and enjoy oil lis local rights before he
becomes citizen of the United States. So il
is with negro; but they are not such citizons
OF State as will entitle them to all the privi-
leges and immunties of citizens in the several
States, according TO the sections Of the Consti-
tuition before alluded to.
A negro mover can become q citizen of the
United States under the present Consultation.
The Constitution of the United States treats
this class OF people not as citizens of the Uni
ted States, but merely as species of property,
and as temporary sojouTners-me tenants at
will, and subject 10 the wishes of the white
race, to keep, to remove, and do with as they
see proper. We can by the power vested In us
as States make them our equals, 30 far %
certain State rights are concerned, and we have
the power to send them out OF our State, IL VIC
see proper, and provide measures TO prevent
them returning. The Courts of our country
have decided these questions, and the points
that / make are clearly decided in the celebrs.
ted Dred Scott case. The Court, in that
case, among other things decided that
"A free negro of the African race, whose ancestors
were brought TO this country and sold as slaves not
citizen within the meaning Of the Constitution Of the
United States"
when the Constitution was adopted, they not
regarded in any Of the States members OF the
munity which constituted the State, and were not
bered among Its people cltizens Consequently the
special rights and nmuneS guaranteed to citizens do
not apply to them. And not being citizens within the
Of the 0Onatilulinn theu
10 that character In Court Of the United Btates and
the Circuit Court has no Jurisdiction In such suit"
.The only two clauses In the Constitution which
merely lawful to deal in as articles OF property, and to
| hold IS slaves"
'since the adoption Of the Constitution Of the United
States no State can by any subsequent law make for
egner or any other description OF persons citizens OF the
United Stated, entle them TO the rights and pTivi
leges secured to citizens by that instrument"
"A State by Its laws passed since the adoption Of the
Constitution may put foreigner any other descrip
tion OF person upon footing with Its citizens TO
all the rghts and privileges enjoyed by them within Its
dominion and by its laws. Bat that will not make him
citizen Of the United States ente him TO In Its
Courts noro any Of the privileges and immuDities of
citizen In another State"
These points decided 10 this case, clearly
settle difficult point in the matter, and show
beyond doubt our constitutional right to enact
law such as the BIZ now under consideration
Then let US pasa this bill. 1t cannot make the
condition of the negro worse, and 1t vii! benefit
the white people Of our State. Let the negro
stay where he if-where his condition, habits
and follies are fully understood. Let the peo-
pie that have used negroes and made them their
chattels keep them and not send them to
us to become nuisance ard burden. This is o
very serious question, whether this mighty
homogeneous mass that now live in this beauti-
full State and rule it, ehall continue TO do go,
,xI L. khax "a L L.
down and mixed up with this inferior oppug-
nant caster Could country be peoped with q
more discordani element than the Saxon and
the con Of Ham7 The Saxon is genuine race
Of ambitious people--ever restless and seeking
after knowledge, scientific improvements and
moral perfections; while the negro is by in
atinct indolent and immoral-With no taate or
capacity for the arts and scences--and an am
btiOn that never seeks to 60 beyond the position
of head waiter In hotel or the proprietor of a
barber shop.
Again, say, let us pass this bill. implore
the Honorable members Of this Houae, if they
are interested in the rights and happiness of the
white race OF the State of Ohio, to be faithful
to their constituents, and lay aside all selfish
ness and fne-spun theories of negro philan-
thropy and let this bill become law. VIII
we obey the people2 The people is the power
We are not the power only through them. Ii is
our duty to obey them. We are servants and
have no discretionary power. We have no in
dependent and exclusive power; but by the law
OF the land, are subject to the will Of the
people. ....
MIR. Speaker, have said all desire to aay
on this subject st this time. | hope this bill
will pass-but il it is defeated, know that
will not be blamed, for feel that have done
my duty to my constituents.