The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1866-02-17

frage restricted to white persons. On the
contrary, the discussion at the time of
adoption was explicit upon that question.
Sir, it is surprising that at this late day,
when all the facts bearing upon this ques-
ton have been so thoroughly sifted, and
never successfully controVerted, anybody
can be found who will deny that free per-
sons of color participated equally with the
whites in the organization of the Govern
ment; in voting upon all measures estab-
liehing the confederation: in the adoption
of the present Constitution; apd that In a
majority of the States forming the Union
they exercised the elective franchise.
The constitution of Massachusetts pro
vines that every male person twenty one
years of age, residing one year IN the town,
and on wing a FREEHOLD valued at three pounds;
or an estate of the value of sixty pounds,
should have the right to vote. vs.
Rhode Island by its colonial charter,
provides that members of her General As
sembly should be elected by ''the major
portion of the freemen of the respective
towns or places"
Connecticut provided only, that forty shil
lings freehold,or personal estate, valued at
forty pounds, with mature years and civil
behavior" should be the qualification for
electors.
New York gave the franchise to "eyery
male inhabitant'' possessing certain quail
fications, among which color was not emu
merated.
New Jersey said. all inhabitants of the
colony of full age" possessing certain quail
ifcsLions, among which was mention ned
color, should be entitled to vote for all off
GERS elected by the people. The gentlemen
from New jersey knows we'll that under
this provision free men of color voted in
that State for many years.
Pennsylvania said, call freemen" Of the
age of twonty one, who had resided one year
in the State and paid taxes, should be emit
tied to vote. Not white men, but call free
men, is the words of the original consti
tuition of that State.
Delaware said in her bill of rights:
Every freeman having sufficient evil
dence of permanent common interest with,
and attachment to the community, hath
the right of suffrage"
This is declaration amply sufficient to
cover every point in the bill we are now dis
cussing. Having sufficient evidence of
permanent common interest,"" Will any
candid man deny the.evidence of this com
mon interest which has been presented
here?
Maryland provided that "all freemen"
over twenty one, and possessing a freeho Id
of fifty acres, and having property in the
State valued above' thirty pounds should
have the right of suffrage.
Virginia made in her bill of rights the
same declaration have quoted from Del
aware.
North Carolina gave the right of suffrage
to ''al freemen" who had resided a certain
period in the state, and paid taxes.
Georgia made no distinctions of color.
That State required for the exercise of the
franchise only that the voter should be a
free man, be twenty -one years old, have re-
sided and paid taxes in the State for six
months preceding the election.
South Carolina alone-from the begin
ming the marplot of our republican coun-
ellis = inserted the word ''whits" after
''free," and before man." in articles fixing
| qualifications for electors in that State.
With this exception, and those of Virgin
ia and Delaware, through their declaration
of rights were broad enough to cover all
free persons, the exercise Of the right o
suffrage was regulated by statutory enact
ment. All the other States included among
their electors free persons of color. In nc
State constitution exceF South CaEolina,
was 1t limited by term to the white man
Is that State model upon which gentlemen
desire to mould this nation? Are not the
facts thus collated sufficient ID relute the
assertion that the American eolored mar
bad no lot or pars in the organization o
this Government? If the proofs of the
long continued exercise of the elective
1 franchise, continuing in most of the States
during the 6rstsfortY and best years of th,
Republic, do not overthrow such baseles
assertions, what then will?
But, sir, it is not only the euactments o
the Contineu tai Congress, and of the differ
! ent States which formed this Union, blu
still more explicitly do the founders of thi
Republic give back the libel now sought to
be fastened upon them The early page
of our history TEEN with their declarations
{ both as individuals and as members of tn
Government. In 1873, the COntinenta
Congress announced, in a pamphlet Ordere,
to be PJintsd5 that sfiLI3 sCrn-&
"The great principle of government.
is and will remain IN force, that men ar
by nature free; as accountable 10 Him tina
made thems they must be So. and so lon
as We have any idea of Divine justice, "
E must associate tina! of human freedom
e Whether men can part with their liberty i
+, among the questions which have exercised
the ablest minds: it is conceded on ali hand
that the right to be free can never be alien
e sted; still less is It practicable for one gen
Grafton to mortgage the privileges Q
9 another
5 The entire argument. made on the othe
8 side OF the house;is answered. granting
. was true in fact that our fathers did no
take measures for the black mans rig ht
equally with their own. One generation
cannot make lien upon my rights or thos
5 of any other man, They cannot m1rtgag
9 them to the future. When that futur