The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-02-25
g he 29es1ern Democrat, Charlotte, 2l&,-

chising the colored people, account OF the
damning acts of cruelty and outrages perpetrated
bv them upon the negro class: and not only upon
them but upon white Unionists Hood continued
his harangue for some time, and concluded by
coming out in favor of not taking any steps to
disfranchise anybody, whatever. These men
Congress had disfranchised, We have not any
power to interfere with. 90
Mr. Rodman felt his position on this floor to be
an exceptional one He was a Confederate sol
der during the war, but he claimed to be as
good Republican as any one on tits floor. He
thought it due to himself to explain the reasons
that induced him to change his opinions. When
the South consented, generally, to the emanci-
patton of the slaves, they tacitly consented as a
natural sequence, that those freed should have
all the rights and privileges of the ballot box,
&c He was also opposed to the disfranchise-
ment of anybody.
Mr. Coneleton read speech He was for
universal suffrage, and, on mature consideration,
had fallen in with MIR Pools ideas on the subject.
Mr. Marler said that he did not wish to be one
of those who took up the time of the Convention,
in letting off gas thereby spending the peoples
money, especially in their present impoverished
condition. But as this was a matter of great
importance ia which every honest man, woman
and child is deeply concerned he asked the House
to indulge him in a few remarks. He wished to
express his sentiments, and those OF his constit-
ueDcy, in regard to the matter of universal sut-
frage to the colored people. He hoped gentle
men would pause and reflect, before they should
declare that the Caucasian race in this State
| should not now, as in the past, be kept above
that of the African. Shall not the descendants
of those white men, who poured out their blood
to establish this government rule over the destnies
of the State? Or shall power be lodged in the hands
of ignorant, inferior race, aided and Allotted by
bold, bad men, who could get nothing at home, IN
order to seize the rens of power control the govern
and institutions that native whites and their
children have been taxed to build up? He was not
prejudiced against the cOlored man. The people of
this section have little, and perhaps less prejudice
against them than any other people on the face OF
the globe. But he opposed to granting them
suffrage rst because he was fully convinced, as he
thought every man. who had given this subject any
thought must be, that the negro, III his present
ignorant condition. is incapable of exercising with
discretion the right of suffrage and it did seem to
him. if other could be assigned, that that
of itself sufficiently valid to exclude them from
this great right.
Mr. N. next showed the moral impossibty of the
ncgros ability to qualify himself a voter, having
just emerged from a bondage that precludCd the pos
sbity of his having fitted himself, in any way, to
exercise the right of voting in proper and inte-
| gent manner. True, there few, very
few exceptions TO this general rule, but cannot
discriminate; must judge them class. Asan
average, there were not one in five hundred that
could read write. He wished to know using the
language of another, ''if these who thus g
norant, capable Of exercising political franc-
SEES? Were they capable of self government? Could
they be regarded independent voters? Could
their judgments be relied upon?' He thought the
response, from every fair minded and intelligent
man, must be No Why. then, did gentlemen 20
srenuously contend for universal suffrage? Why
did they wish to place the negro, in his present
dition political equality with the intelligent
white men of the country? lie thought the true
answer to that was, because white men have
despaired Of being able cammand the respect
and receive the support of the whites therefore, they
profess great love for the colorcd and advocate
universal negro suffrage and political equality. in
order to secure the negro VOTE regardless Of the hap
piness and welfare of their race and color.
Galloway, (col) said that the best blood in Bruss-
wick county flowed in his veins, and, if he could do
it, in justice to the African race, he would lance HIM
self and let it out. He did not want social equality.
Mr. Ashley to challenge assertion that
slaves had been broug into this State by New Eng
| land ships. HI went on to give his authorities.
The first importation had been made into Virginia.
when the Mayfower was making her way across the
ocean.
Harris, (eol) then moved to adjourn with the I'M
derstanding that he should have the floor when the
Convention reassembled.