The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-04-10

kept them there. But to return To The sub
ject from which this anecdote has led me
II this bill goes into operation, you vii
flrst vi all have to vote COR members of
State Convention. Now your own speak
er, to whose remarks on this point listen
ell with pleasure and interest, has giver
you soind and practical advice. lSelec
the men whom you know to be honest and
trustworthy, and who are Unidentified with
the State. All who are candidates for the
Convention can give their views, and make
pledges as to their course, in case OF their
election. The action of the Convention
will not be final, nor will il bind the peo-
pie OF the State in the slightest degree, for
when the Convention has adopted a consti-
tuition, that instrument will have 10 be SUBJ
inltted to all the voters for ratification on
rejection. Should the news constitution,
then, not give equal protection and right.
TO all, II can be rejected. Another Con
yention can be called and another constl,
tuition submitted to the people. You have
1t, therefore, in your power to test the good
will aud honsty vi purpose of the whites
without any danger Of injury 10 yourselves
Let those, then, who are familiar with tic
Course. the people, and the interest Of South
Carolina, frame the new constitution, and
4 YOU find that your rights have been ~
nored il you find there is une law for tne
white man. and another for the black, YOU
can justly complain OF having been deceiv.
ed, and you can reject the constitution,
THIS conventions, then, will be the means
Of testing the sincerity OF the profession.
made To you by the whites citizens of the
State, aud Of yours to them. But suppose
the bill is pronounced unconstitutional,
how then. You will be left in precisely
the same position you held before its pass
age. The present State governments will
continue. and the present laws will prevail.
Ii will then be Tor - 10 prove that our pro-
fessions Of friendship were not idle, and
while cannot speak for others, tell you
what am willing to see done. AIN will
ing u give the right Of suffrage 70 all who
eau read and pay a certain amount Of taxes,
aud agree that all, white as well as black,
who do not possess these qualifications,
shalt be excluded. would not take this
right from anv who have heretofore exer-
ciscd it, 5dt wish TO see an educational
and property qualification for voters adopt
ed for the lu;ure. let this qualification
bear on white and black alike, and while il
will cut OF from sntlng some OF bntil races,
il will be strong nducement TO all to
seek education and 10 obtain for themselves
a real and tangible interest IN the State.
Il will serve 70 elevate all classes aud con
tribute NOT only TO the material prosperity
Of the State, but to the increase OF virtue
and education among her peOple. No one
under twenty-one years OF age IS allowed
to vote, nor can foreigners do 80, until they
have been in this country sume years.
An Englishmin knowing all about our
laws and our system ol government, and
having great wealth, might come here to
live. yet. by the naturalization laws OF the
United States, he could not vote, until he
had been live years IN thu county. aud two
years in The State where he desired TO vote.
Thus, you see. that there IS M such thing
as universal suffrage, nor 10 | think il de-
slrablc that there should be. fuu would
have no right to complain 81 law which
would put you % perfect political equali-
ty with the whites. and which would put
within your reach and that Of your children
all the privileges enjoyed BY any class ol
citizens. Your own speaker has dwelt for
chilly on this point. aud cummend his al.
vice TO you. a. wise, sound and practical.
You ask counsel OF me. have given il,
fully. frankly, sincerely. NJ personal mo.
tses can possibly sway me, Tor am no lon-
ger citizen Ol The u. ). or Of South Caro-.
Ina. The bill which gives the right OF sai-
iragc % you. DISTINGUISHES me. ! have not
even home here, for my home. and the
homes OF all who love my name, have been
laid in ashes. have no political rights.
| have nothing TO bind me TO this ruined
land but the memories Of the past, the ~.
fecticn | cherish ivr its people, and the