The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-03
Remarks of Hr. Brown, of Xn,obu-ha.

Remarks of MIR Brown, of XaiObusha.
The following is the substance OF the
Speech delivered by the Hon. r. NJ.
Bfown, of Yalobusha in the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES, on Tuesday, the l4th
inst, on a bill entitled ''An act TO con-
| fer civil rights upon freedmen
Mr.. Brown said,
| Mr.. Speaker-I expect to record my
vote against comforting upon the freed
men any privileges of testimony not here
tofore conceded 10 the free negroes Of tho
State. | feel it incumbent on NE to ex
plain the reasons which c0rs'T2-1 nc 70
take this position. | know .-cy - IN
conflict with the expressed views OF the
| ablest and most distinguished pohtlclans
in the State Of Mississippi men whom
we honor for their experience and
craftsmanship. and admire for their pri-
waite and public virtues | know, too,
now these thugs conspire to give 10 the
policy they recommend species OF IN
nortanca and influence which / neither
, aspire ~ give mon olN'nn for hat which L
advocate vet there is an advantage III
iustice and an omnipotence In the arm OF
truth on which | am willing to rely, ana
will not surrender to error, however pow
erful NAV be the influence 1T has Dor
r rowed from distinguished association. All
ow me to assure you, first, that enter
tain no preiudices against this mos
nnfortunate race. | hold it in no way
resnonsible for the distracted condition
of NV country, nor for having forced
lunon this Legislature this delicate ant
), vital question we now have to meet anc
), djsnose of. Permit me also to say that
RECOGNISE the sacred obligation imposed
upon me by the Constitution OF Mlssls
sinni to s'protect the freedmen OF TIA
State in their rights of person and prop
ertv." I am conscious of the grave re
sponsibility that rests upon me- nav
M disnosition to evade it | am unwillln
If to evade it. / am required by the Cor
stitution to protect INN IN his rights
parson and property, but insist that tn
Injunction does not apply to testImon
more than it does to suffrage. The arg
ment for one is the argument Tor ooti
If a person should be permitted to testli
because he becomes party TO LII
record" then, by the same preceDt
de-, reason. will that person not have IL
right to vote because he becomes a par
to he poll.tax and the muster-roil
Did our State ever require person
nav q poll-tax and bear arms in detent
ers of the commonwealth, that 1t did not e
'ee tend to the person the right OF suffrage
Now if we admit the one, how VIII y
evade the other? Oc if we reject the Ia
ter, with the arguments In ITS favor WI
not with equal consistency reject the 10
en- en- mer. Notwithstanding the arguments tn
support it. Ii it be our privilege tc a
win discretion in the one instance, IL
eonally SO in the other-for testimony
bnt the slzirmish line that guards the
.,v vance of suffrage. Concede the one' a
the other will demand concession, a
70 to
demaud it perhaps, when too late 10
sist-when our sentlnels are betrayed 4
our camp is invaded and surprised
black population of Mississippi exec
the white bv eighty thousand msJorl
d Is II no argument that this majority sn
an. az not be used by minority as pack-ho
~ 10 hear taxes and other burdens IL n
sea fl to impose, and not allowed to
its voice and say how light nor how ne
II shall be? Is it no argument that
question of taxation without represei
ton once inaugurated war Whlcn oei
ed the principle and estaohsneo pr
deut? Can we meet and resist THESE
0nroants unless We husband our every
A"' so,1rca and welcome no advance9 II
negro can risk the white man
Justice and protection in the one
stance, can We not IN the oene
or if the white man concede the mrs.
S;.;on for a like reason will he mol
constrained to abandon the other!
len gentleman from Wilkinson, Mr.. Sim
Chairman of the committee that repo
ises-, the bin now pending. argues that W.
Ct , .ns protected by the Federal and State 20
Sc ks TO tntions against the elective franchIs
aapnsl ing exercised by the freedman. In
10 -@ is impossible for it ever to be extel
$50 n him. Has the gentleman forg'
~. that few years ago the slave trac'
Ant. .olspsrsU IL slaves was recognized
Lonstitntion of the United States 81