Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-02-15

had this Wh1 be- sked should
like on the part Of the Southern States
had been attended by beneficial result Before the
free negroes enjoyed the elective franchise not
a TO testify against white That CONVEX en-
not confer upon them the right to bear witness in
ya o1 5 r It were mpolt and TO
now, when there were three hundred thousand negroes
the of humanity and natural right thew should be
allowed to testify why not also the right and sit
boons The gentleman fro Orange had sid that
one verdict in ten thousand would not Changed by their
viii negroes be beneftted Soni net per hitting
them to testify encourage perjury aong both whites and
If the negroes behaved well during the warwick he
70 when the bug Of those a np
ears they made no effort to break tr letters what
to allow them testify would lead hem to the commits
SION OF wholesale rapne and murder AS to the mand
ed to them by our courts He won9 not denT be right
of vctors to dictate terms but the vcors had nded
ture and highly impotc.
The gentleman from Orange had eoe uently alluded to
be hoped that we who stand in the track It esoted
may not Witness its return overshadowng star once
Mr. Luke addressed the committee in favor of the
4 TO strike out and cited the journal the convention
OF 1888 t" show that the free negro who had eUer had
the right to testify dsfrancsed by that body of the
quoted the remark of Mr. wilson OF PERFUMES MS that
fifty years experience had established the that the
against white men, In the face of this opinion tnat
one then essayed to controvert. we were salled
at our backs, in the name of justice and h5zBan-
ity, to accord to the negro the right a testify
He demanded that the supporters Of the hill sb0nid
predicate the support they it, the ground of policy
alone and acknowledge their fear that they could not
otherwise ged rid Of the Freeimens Bureau lie opposed
the bill upon principle and if the citizens q Camden
should instruct him to support it, he would at resign
his seat.
Mr. Mcdonald said that after mature reflection he had
determined to vote for the measure believing
morally right as well as polite The House had Just heard
the first chapter of Luke, and he would suggest the pro-
priety of calling up the mourners and that front seat
be cleared for that purpose. (Laughter.)
Mr. LYMAN withdrew his amendment.
Mr. Moore Of Martin, moved to amend by adding pro-
vso that in all such cases, the testimony OF such wit
shall be given rirG tOce in open court and not in
the form of Deposition and that the parties may be adj
mtted their oaths.''
This amendment also Withdrawn after discussion,
with the understanding that will be hereafter presented
in the House
thought were better to say to the stay where
you present., awat the development of circu1n-
Stances The question had greatly embarrassed him. bat
number of considerations had led him to the conclusion
that best for in view of all the circumstances to
said with the exception perhaps OF South Carolina, had
preceded in this matter and in form other had
given the negro the right to testify He not prepared
vote to separate State in policy from those States
to which bound alike by the ties of Affection mis-
and justice the negro Congress would take charge
of his affairs. bill had already passed branch Of
render the Freedmens Bureau permanent institution
and to enlarge its powers If refuse allow such tes
| timOny it would be forced upon
Mr.. Allison moved to amend the section by striking
the words against white person." and inserting the
troversies" Not agreed to.
The question recurring the motion to strike out the
section had by ellers and the House refused
to strike out. Ayes AZ, nays Sc
TIL committee rose, reported progress and obtained
The House then adjourned until 10 O'clock ~ NJ, to-
morrow.