Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-14

OH pOAvEV SVOpItj
Delipsrsd in the Ohio House Of Representation
january 81, 1863, upon HE bill TO pyohibi
The further Immigration Of Negroes and Mulat
toes into this Slate.
Ma. GRAIN said:
Nm. sPEAKEE--Ever since the commence
ment of the first session of this Legislature
petitions have been pouring in upon US from
the people Of all parts Of the Stlte, asklng uG
to pass law to prevent the immigration of ne
groee and mulattoee Into the State of Ohio.
We received petitions from nearly every
county Of the State in relation to the matter
and they are still coming In from all directions,
sigued by citizens Of all parties.
Now, let .us examine the matter-let us in.
vestigate this exciting subject, and see why Il
is that the people have 30 suddenly become
anxious upon this subject, and what great pow
er or force OF circumstances it 10 that moves
them to act thus. The explanation as to the
cause Of this universal movement of the people
In our State, is plain enough to all who have
noticed the tendency and condition of things
since the commencement of this war. The
tendency and effect Of the present struggle, 10
to run negroes, both slave and free, into the
Northern States; and Ohio, owing to her loca-
ion as to other States, bids fair to receive more
than her just portion, and there is now great
danger Of the white citizens being annoyed and
oppressed by large influx of low, filthy, igno.
rant negroes. The southern counties Of the
State are already becoming overrun by these
creatures, and they are gradually working their
way north to such an alarming extent that even
glorious old Ashtabuls is becoming alarmed and
is fearful that che will have on hand too much Of
the worshipful article
In response to these petitions there we're sew.
erq bills drawn up and introduced to remedy
this evil, but it was all labor in vain, for the
members who wished to carry out the will Of
their constituents, were not able to get the bills
paesed, for the reason that they met with strong
OPPOSITION, and the bills were laid on the table
bS the Republicans, who then had, and still
haze, the majority In this House.
Alter the subject had been sgitsted for some
time without there being anything done, re.
oeived two petitions from the people of my
county, on the same subject, which we're pro-
miacuously slgned by over six hundred Republi-
cans and Democrats, citizens OF that county -
These petitions induced me to draw up and IN
troduce the bill now under consideration; al
though, have not much hope of success; for
better and more experienced legislators than
myself have failed; yet feel 1t my duty to do
all can to comply with the request of my con.
stituente, as am convinced tnst the demand
upon their part ia just, and the law prayed fol
by them is absolutely necessary for the public
welfare, aud therefore now urge the passage
of the bill now under consideration 1 think
this bill Ia more complete, ana will be more
easily enforced than those that have heretofore
been introduced, and will be better Tor the me-
gro race, and more eaaily carried out on the
pars of the white race; in short, 1t will do justice
to both parties, Without oppression on one side,
or unnecessary Inconvenience on the other.
The first section Of this bill provides that nc
negro or mulatto person shall be permitted tI
immigrate into and settle within this State, un.
less such negro or mustto shall within twenty
days thereafter, enter into bond, with two or
more sufficient sureties, payable to the State Of
| Ohio, in the penal cum OF one thousand dollars
bsfore the judge of the Probate Court of the
county in which said negro or mulstto person
may wish to reside, conditioned for the good
j behavior of such negro or mulatt1 person, ant
to pay for the support of such negro or mulsttC
in case such negro or mulat!o person shall here
after be found within any township, city or town
in this State, unable to support themselves
which said bond shall be examined and ap
proved by the Prosecuting Attorney of sal
county.
| The object of this bill, as it will be perceive
by this section, is not to absolutely prevent tn
negroes and mulsttoes from coming into ou
State, but to restrict the immigration, 80 tina
the white race will not be overrun by these uI
fortunates, and the State filed with negro pat
pera. The object is only to keep from among U
such as will do nothing for themselves by wa
of moral and mental improvement, but devot
themselves to thieving, debauchery, and dia
gusting practices. ..e.rI ...-...
This bill will not be hard 70 comply with o
the part Of those that are ft to live in the sam
State with the white race, and there is no dout
but any decent negro or mulatto person that
fit to live In any decent place on the face of th
earth, can fnd friends enough to 60 his bail az
cordDg to the requirements OF this bill. Il me
be said that the operation Of such law will
J oppressive, and that 1t 10 unjust that such re
! quirements should be made of tbis partlcula
race, But We must not forget In the exercise
our dark sympathzng philanthropy, that tn
ia an inferior race, whose appearance and asst
citation among whites is unnatural, and that
is dangerous to permit 1t to gain too much In
fiuenoe among US, as by their contacs there
danger of becoming imbued with their habits an
meanness. Self-preservation ia an importaI
law of nature which We should regard and ei
2 force, lot the consequences be what they ma
, to other nations and races. We must look to OF
q own purity and identity. We must preserve ar
Improve the waite race. We have been lookir
after the Interests of the interesting negro t
. much already, and 1t is about time that SON
Legislation was done Tor ,and some interest take
in, the affairs of white men. ,-f
It has been said on the floor of this House b
, honorable members from certain localities
this States, that il is "uDjust, unfair and inhl
!. man to pass q law TO keep the negrOa and mula
toes out of the State OF Ohio" Why ia it Ill
!. Just, unfair and inhuman to protect oursev
{ against the immigrationof the negro and M
: = latto paupers OF other States7 Why should v
o not prevent the negroes from becoming psupe
d amoug us7 Are they any better than whi
y men aud women2 We havea law against whi
!. Lpaupers immigratipg to our State and settliI
n among us; and it oompels the trustees OF 81
!. townships to serve written notice on oil ,po
: whites, who are not residents Of She, township
for public charitable purposes. Has any phi
anthropic ne9o-loying individual ever yet di
lowered that this law against white men OIL
women is unjust, unfair and inhuman1 On
But ii shere is anything of the kind attempt
against ,he gentlemen of African descent" '
y hear plenty OF objeotions, hoWls and loud lame
Il tatons. Why can we not pass lave to prote
b ourselves against black paupers as well as Will
9 paupers2 cannot answer the question,
n fer the matter to the gentlemen that voted
n lay this bill on he sable last session,
The second section OF this bill provides th
. il shall be the duty OF the Probate Judge, b