Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-28
From the Raleigh Sentinel.
The Constitutional convention.
(So.cRIled.0
NIGHT SESSION.
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, L. M.

NIGHT SESSION.
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2. M.
The Convention was called to order, &C
cordiug to adjournment, at u O'CLOCK.
The suffrage question was resumed, Rev.
Mr. WeIker on the floor He, in abiding
to Mr.. Ellis remarks, said that he (Nlr:
EDisl had only used the argument, that had
been used in this State for the last one
hundred wears, viz That God had created
one class inferior, and to be made slaves of,
&c. He argued that the simple ability to
raad and write did not qualify man pre-
cminently for suffrage. The negroes han
been Intelligent enough to support the
party that was striving to raise them from
tbeiroporessed condition. They had been
intelligent enough to be loyal TO the GOV
crnment, and their services IN defence OF
the country. ii nothing else, entitled them
10 our gratitude, and they should be en-
fraDchisei.
In Iaudipg the colored race, he said
from what came under his immediate OBJ
servation in his own county, the colored
man was superior to the white, in some
particulars temperance, for instance.
Mr.. Holt asked him if lie held that doc
trine, and used that language III his county
ten years ago.
Mr.. Welker replied that, ten years ago
he was not in pubic life he did not ther
make speeches, but such had always beer
hi4 opinion.
IN regard to the Acknowledgement Of GER
tain men, he could not ignore the fact tina
Gor four years treason and blOOdshed hal
swept over the land, and now, instead o
admission and duty, we find defiance anC
disorder. Whether they should be ad
mitted to the ballot, then, was the question
-, hA nI a 90 "a IpG
Who had gone into tho service of the Con
Taderatc States, OF their OVID accord, had
IN good faith, returned to their allegiance
bat there were men here still defiant ant
robelliOus they could not surely eXpec
TO have all the rights and privileges Of true
and 'loil" men.
Gentlemen had threatened war. liz
(NIr. W. did not mean to handy threats
with them, but he would tell the gentlemen
That, If they ever dared TO raise tho
sword, that these suffering people negroes
would sweep down from their mo'Antait
businesses, gathering strength as they came,
and like Il mighty avalanche, crush ont
thcsc men SO thoroughly, that scarcely one
would be left to tell the tale.
Mr.. Forkncr commenced It speech by
abusing Andrew johnson and coutcndiDg
that Congress had legally all the power it
claimed in governing these Southern States,
and more too. In regard to diSfranchiSC
mcnt, he was sorry that there was such q
difference OF opinion among the Western
delegates. Reason should govern them
not passion. They should not leGiSlatC il
IL vindictivo manner Though threats had
been INDUCED in on this floor, yet he
would not be thrown off his guard. They
should Leave all party measures and issues,
and legiSlatC SO that 1t would rebound to
il,, Cf 10 no
lieve in the power of this Convention tC
diafranchise anybody.
1t had been said that there were men
enough in this State hostile to the Gov
eminent to control the State, if allowed to
vote, but this is not so. He did not wish
to place clause in the Constitution that
DISTINGUISHES men that did not so with the
Republican party. but would declare uni
versul suffrage and equal rights and privi-
legcs t. all. He thought there was more
safety IN liberal course than in a pro
scriptivc one. If men were to be punish
d. this was not the tribunal to try them
If YOU pursue harsh course, it will be q
feather in the caps of the rebels" The
people OF the West are for the most part
Union men, bat they are not yet satisfied
about this thing yOu call HegJ'O egttalitE-
Though we were elected by large MAORI
Ties, yet, ii you examine the statistics, you
viii find that not Il half Il vote was cast
Nh. Ray said that it was 10 endanger oul
safety to give rebels the ballot. They had
given no signs of repentance, and, until
they did, he wanted them to be kept
down. Universal negro suffrage was 4 fix
Ell fact, and he was sorry that so many
gentlemen favored unirerSm ,rhite Suffrage
Mr.. Holt said that while the Convention
WAS On this question of acknowledgements
he hoped the cases Of tie deserters from Nt
Confederate a1my not only in this State,
not only in this city, BUT SITTING NOW
IN THIS HALL, might be investigated
men who volunteered, but who, when call
ed upon to expose their cowardly carcases,
deserted, not on account of love for the
Union, but because they We're too misera
bly, cowardly TO face fire. Men who, il
1861, threw mp their hats, shouted for The
Confederate flag, men who taught us seces
sion, nor come c0cU'dly on their knees
protesting 10 be truly loyal and deSerUing.
Hood, (negro), by consent of the House
replied to Mr.. Ellis speech. He occupied
the floor for some time.
On motion Of Mr.. Abbott, the House
adjourned.