The Indianapolis daily herald., 1865-11-23


tons; and il they occupied seats in this HaIl,
they might vote FOR the repeal Of this article.
bat v ouid that weaken or destroy the force 81
their argument Men change their opinions
and actions, but truth J. Interchangeable, and
sound Arguments Will even stand, although
those that maae them nav disown them. and
aftsInpt % refute them.
IL will be perceived that various reasons
were assigned Tor the exclusion Of negroes and
mulattOes from the state. viii endeayor 20
classify these reasons, - that one can comprc-
bend them al glance.
First. That two separate and distinct races
can not commingle and i've together IA peace
and harmony.
second. That il an inferior. degraded and
ignorant race are permitted 20 live with a supe-
rior. refined and intelligent race that IL will
not elevate the inferior race 90 the position Of
the superior one, but that IL will deieriOraie the
superior race, and reduce them % the standard
q the inferior race.
Third. That the presence Of any considera-
bic NUMBER OF negroes and mulattoes la the
state. would bring on war Of races. and
would result in the determination Of the infe-
nor lace.
Fourth, That the negroes being degraded.
ignorant and vicious. they would eontaminate
the moral atmosphere. and dehauch the morals
II the white race.
Fifth. That amalgamation was i'm itself sin
full. wrong. and disgusting, and abhorant 10 all
yirtu0us and christian people: that il would
he impossible % prevent amalgamation il the
races lived together; and that the people Of
this state were compelled 10 exclude the ne
groes from the state to prevent this contam-
nation.
sixth, That the negroes were unit 10 be adj
mitted 10 social equality, and Were incompe-
tent 10 be entrusted with political rights, priv
ilcges and franchises, and that they would be
compelled 10 occupy an inferior and degraded
position, and that this would tend 10 the in
jury and prejudice Of our republican form Of
society; and would aSsimilate our Government
To the despOtisms Of the old world.
seventh, That the experience of the past con-
clusvey demonstrates that hOmOgeneOusness
was indispensable To the virtue. happiness.
prosperity and power of any people; and that
this principle was demonstrated by the condi-
ton of Mexico and the Republics Of Central
and South America. the introduction Of the
Moors into Spain, the Africans into Egypt, the
Mahomedans into India, and the attempt to
consolidate in the Roman Empire, distinct
races and peoples.
Eighth. That the Government Of Indiana
was formed by white people, and for the Use,
happiness and prosperity Of the pure, unmix-
ed. white race, and that the first and highest
| duty Of the state was u guard ana protect the
rights and interests Of that race.
Ninth, That. if the negroes were not eXclu-
ded from the state. the people of the South
would send here their WORKOUT, crippled,
worthless and lazy negroes, whose support
n
| pie
| Tenth, That il the negroes who came here
were industrious and would work, that they
would enter into competition with our white
! labOrcrs, and thus cheaper the price of labor;
I that our white labOrers would lie compelled to
| labor side by side with the negro laborers, and
/ this would tend 10 degrade labor, and conse-
quently affect the social position. the indepen-
dence. the pride of character, and the virtue
! and prosperity Of our industrious and enter
prsing people.
Eleventh. That IL the negroes were admitted
TO the enjoyment of equal political rights, that
they would "infect the purity Of our free,
/ fair, virtuous, intelligent and Independent
! eections," and that their election to Office
would tend TO lower and degrade the Office in
I the eyes of the people, and would create con-
tempt for. and disobedence To, the laws and
/ constituted authorities.
Twelfth, That the soil and climate Of our
State were unsuited to the African race, and
their introduction here would result in their
ultimate injury and extinction.
Thirteenth, That justice. humanity, philan-
trophy and christianity required the separa-
ton of the races, and that they should be re-
moved to place where they may be free men,
surrounded by their peers, where they may
stand erect amongst their equals in all their
dignity of free men, and where the ties of
family and the sanctity OF the marriage rela-
ton would be respected. and where there would
b. no cOmmingling of the blood Of separate
and distinct races, that always results i'm injury
10 both Races.
Other cogent reasons could he assigned In
favor of exclusion, but will go no further.
! will pause here, and ask if the reasons as
/ signed were not sufficient 10 justify the Con-
vcntion in adopting and the people in ratfy-
Ing the 18th article Of our Constitution. If
they were sufficient then. L ask, If they do not
now apply with tenfold greater force in favor
! of retaining the article and rigidly enforcing
! the law made TO carry the same into force.
! Then we had but few thousand negroes i'm
| the State, the most of whom had long resided
amongst Then the institution of slavery
| existed in the South. and duty and interest
! united in inducing the STAKEHOLDER 10 take care
of his slaves and Keep them with him. Then
! the negroes were more industrious, quiet and
! orderly than they are now. Now slavery has
| been abolished. and the whole social system in
the South has been broken up. and the slave
! holder has been released from his obligation
TO feed, clothe, protect and take care of his
sick, disabled and worn out negroes. Now the
negroes Of the south have been induced TO be-
/ lieve that the country living north of the river
Ohio L. the Eldorado of their hopes, the land of
promise, the land that il flowing with milk
and honey, where all may eat without money
and without price, and if they can reach that
happy land, that their cares, troubles and
anXieties will all be over. and that their kind,
/ sympathiZing, benevolent and philantrOphic
friends will take care of them and their des
| ccndants without their toiling, labOring and
| sweating 10 earn their own support, and that
all the prejudices Of races and color would he
forgotten, and they would be admitted TO the
endowment OF social equality and political
rights and privileges. Influenced 10y these
/ hopes and delusions, they are coming North ia
| swarms. The face of Indiana i already black
ened with them, and ~ the severity Of winter
I approaches, and they feel the scarcity OF
clothing, food and lodging, they will come in
still greater numbers, and terrible indeed will
be the wreck Of their fond hopes and the dissi-
patton of their blisSful dreams, when they
awaken 10 the stern reality of their condition
III the land of promise.
But, sir, suppose that this article is stricken
from our Constitution, that the wall Of -parti-
ton is broken down, that all the barriers are
removed, that the gulph that has heretofore
separated the people Of our State from the ne
groes Of the South, il bridged over, that our
doors are thrown open wide, and they are cor
daily and urgently invited 10 enter our State,
and that they have accepted Of our pressing in
yitation, and we have an hundred thousand
of them here, pray, let me ask, what is TO be
their status, what their condition, what rights,
privileges and franchises are they 10 enjOyy Do
! YOU propose TO invite these poor, unfortunate
people here, without making any provision for
them. How much do you propose 10 appro-
pirate from our State and County treasures
for the support Of the old and infrm, the sick,
disabled and lazy! What additional protec-
ton will YOU throw around the persons and
from the vicious and depraved portion of our
invited guestsy What provision will yon make
for the education Of their children: There is
now pending in this House bill to tax ne
groes and mulattOes for school purposes and 10
apportion our school funds among the white
and black children in our State in proportion
to their numbers. and not in proportion TO the
amount of taxes psid by the two races. Do
you intend 10 rob our white children Of their
means of procuring an education for the bene-
I ht Of the children Of negroes. or do you intend
for them to attend our schools and sit side by
side with our own children. What arrange
ment do YOU propose To make for their moral
and religious trsiningt DO you intend that
our churches and sunday schools shall be
thrown open 10 them, The laws Of Indiana
deprive them Of the right Of teStifying. as wit
nesses in our Courts Of justice. There il now
pending in this House 4 bill 10 give them that
right. and presume that il will be passed. If
they are competent to testify witnesses upon
what principle can you exclude them from
serving on the juryi The Constitution and
laws 81 this state prohibit them from voting
and holding Office
Do you intend 10 strike down these safe
guards u the rights and liberties Of our peo-
pie! DO YOU intend 10 enfranchize these sable
.npe II fri.a and eiofhp fhafn with III. h;..b