The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-19
Mr.. Bolts on NEGRO suffrage.


Hon. John NJ. Bolts, of Virginia, made the
following remarks in the recent loyal Conven-
ton at Philadelphia, on the subject of negro
suffrage:
gentleman from North Carolina should withdraw
his motion for the previous question: as he deter
mined at this time to place his position right up
on the record before retiring from the Conven-
ton. The request being granted, Mr.. Bolts,
amid great confusion, addressed the Convention
as follows: Il know very well how shall be
spoken of in the newspapers of my own State for
attending this Convention. They will not praise
me, assure you. However, feel proud of all
that has taken place. and have listened with
pleasure to much that has been said have al
ways been willing to listen to the supplication of
the humblest negro in the land as to the highest
white man. Applause. But, gentlemen, stand
here opposed to the adoption of that report as
against the one adopted yesterday. / can say that
for thirtyfve or forty years have never appeared
in any other character than that OF Union man.
But, gentlemen, must this day disclaim all fur
ther connection with this convention. TSensa-
ton and great confusion. l am not opposed to
any gentleman or any mans State, in regard to
the question of suffrage. If Texas wants univer-
sal suffrage, in the name of God, let her have it
if Louisiana ants the negro to VOTE let her have
It so; if Georgia wants universal suffrage too let
her have it, Virginia does not want it. in the
name OF GOd 0on' u force IL upon her. When you
come here and say that Congress has the power to
force universal suffrage upon hepeople OF any part
of this country, must say that all my study of
constitutional law, during period of forty years,
has gone for nOught. Do you suppose that pa
triotic body like Congress would have neglected
to establish negro suffrage at the South, if they
thought they had the power to do SO? On the
contrary, in the constitutional amendment which
they have submitted to the different States, they
have left it for the people of the States themselves
to settle the question of suffrage Now, consci-
entously believe that you could not get three hun
dred men in Virginia to vote for negro suffrage to-
day.
A voice-Oh yes you could, 1000 of them.
AnOther-Yes, 100, 600 OF them
Mr.. Bolts (undismayed by the gathering storm)
We want relief for the white man down in Vir-
gina first We who have suffered worse than
serfdom want some privileges extended to u.s.
A voicc-so We do in Texas. Mr.. Bolts, (get-
ting excited) don't care what any man from Tex
as or Louisiana says on the subject of negro suf-
frage, know by what has happened ut Memphis
and New Orleans, that the negroes at the South
would not be permitted to vote without protec-
tion-the protection of bayonets at every poll
The proper way to ameliorate the condition of the
blacks is first to build up party of loyal white
men at the South who would see that loyal blacks
were protected in their rights. In good time,
and when God wills it, the negro will have suf-
frage believe that if this Convention could give
the negro the right vote, that before they would
be permitted to exercise the right ofsufage they,
would be shot down in the streets; their houses
would be burned down over their heads. It
would be certain destruction to them"