Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-06

was surprised at such speech falling from
the lips OF the gentleman, disfran chisine
those among whom he was reared and with
whom he had associated through life. He
MIR. Rodman) would be ashamed to face
his constituents, after giving utterance to
such unnatural, vindictive sentiments. He
said the government did not demand such
proceeding. The colored people did hot
sanction such a measure, but here is Il
N01A CG'Oltmiaa, who gets up and boldly
proposes to infict this harsh and Oppres-
sive measure, prescribing not only his fel-
low-citizens, but his own eighbors and
associates.
Mr.. Abbott thought that there should be
some kind of an oath ; it would not hurt a
loyal man to take an oath of this nature.
Some men would make a face in swallow
ing the pill, no matter how much the pill
was sugarcoated (Applause, on the
strength of which the speaker grew more
vindictive.)
Mr.. Heaton said that he had already ut
tered his sentiments upon this matter, and
did not wish to repeat them. He intended
to strive to give to the people good, just
and wise Constitution, and, when he had
done that, he could face his constituents
with good conscience. He proposed the
following OATH for both office holders and
voters, which he offered as an amendment
to Mr.. Jones proposition:
''l, ---, do solemnly swear (oraffirm)
that [ will support aud maintain the Con-
stitution and laws Of the United States,
and the Constitution and laws of North
Carolina, not inconsistent Herewith, so
help me God"
Mr.. Tourgee, of course, advocated Jones
amendment.
Mr., Read said that it was not only i'm
polite but unjust to prescribe any citizen
OF this State.
Mr.. King, OF Lenoir, said that this oath
would not go into effect until after the
Constitution was framed, THAT is if we ever
frame one, and the State restored Then
what was the use of Incorporating this
measure? 1t was against the doctrine of
true Repubiicanism. He characterized Mr.
Jones position as mOnstrOus.
Mr.. Mcdonald, OF Chatham, was op-
posed to disfranchising human being in
the State.
Harris, of Wake. (negro,) favored the
adoption of the amendment offered by Mr..
Heaton.
Mr.. Pool did not think any registration
was necessary, but such as the Legislature
might provide for some of the larger cities
in this State, and he utterly opposed any
other being administered to voters
Mr. Durham said he hardly knew wheth-
er he was in body that claimed to repre-
sent the free people of the State or in a
body claiming to be a Constitutional body,
convened to frame q Constitution for the
people of the STATE, or whether he was in a
strict partisan Convention. From the de-
bate stranger coming in the Hall would
come to the conclusion that this was pure
ly party Convention, met to advance par
ty purposes, not to legislate for the good of
the people. The gentleman from Wash
ington (Jcnes) had openly avowed the pur-
pose of this Infamous and iniquitous test
oath. You are AFRAID to meet your oppo-
nents in an open and free conflict. You,
then, for purely party purposes, tie them
down by this infamous test oath. It shows
a cowardly fear to allow the people a
free and untrammeled vote upon your in
ures as perpetrating dannablt and out
rageous restriction upon the liberties of the
people.
/ have been denounced on this foor as
being a secessionist and disloyal man.
Sir, am not loyal to Thad. Stevens, Will
son, Sumner and others in Congress. [
am not loyal to the reconstruction acts
that are boldly declared unconstitutional
by Thad. Stevens. I am not loyal in those
things, but, sir, if any man charges me
with being untrue to the Constitution of
the United States, [ tell him Mat he Hes.-
How can you charge the people of this
State with being disloyal in not wishing
to take this oath, when the very loyal
people of Ohio voted down this very meas
ure
Mr.. Durham was interrupted frequently,
and with SO many trivial and factious points
of order that he had to take his seat, say
ing that he was not suffered to have fair
hearing on this floor.
Mr. Ashley acas aroused. He repeated his
assertion that Mr.. Durham was disloyal
man.
Mr.. Durham |'Oh you are ljar."
Mr.. Pool called the previous question
and the call was sustained.
The question REQUIRED upon Mr.. Heatons
substitute for that of Mr.. Jones, of Wash
ington.
The yeas and nays were called and re-
25, nays G2.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Jones' ameud-
ment and resulted-yeas 80, nays 81.
Those who voted in the affirm ative were:
Messrs. Abbott, Ashley, Biume Carter, Can
der, Chillson hickey, DUckworth, Epps (uegro),
Fisher, French, Of Bladen, Eullinss, Galloway
(ne gro), Glover, Graham of Montgomery, Hayes,
OF koUeson, Hayes, of Halifax, (negro), Jones, of
Kinney, Lee (negro), Logan, ID ann,
1Loore, Morton, Murphy, Parks Ragland, Rem
frow, rhodes, Robbins (negro), Rose. Smith, Still
well. league, Tourgeo, Tucker, Turner, WelKer,
Williamson (negro) SO.
Those who voted in the negative were:
Messrs. Andrews. Adylott Baker, Benbow
Bradley. Bryan, Carey (negrol, Cherry (negro),
Cox, Daniel, DOwd, Ellis, Etheridge, Forkner,
French, Of Chowan, George, Harris, Of Wake, (no-
sro), RAY He&tCn, Bighsm!th (negrO), Hyman
(pegro). Jones, Of Caldwell, King, OF Lincoln:
King, OF Len0ir, Legg, Lennon, Long, Marler,
Nc UuO bins, lierIitt, McDonald, OF Chatham, Nc
Doua,d OF Moore, Nance, Nicholson Parker,
Pierson (negro) Pool, Ray, Rich, Rodma Silly,
Sweet, Taylor, Watts-51.
The second section of the lnaj jority re-
port WAS then adopted.
On motion OF Mr.. Tourgee, the resolu-
ton of Mr.. Ashley, paying the employees
3 per day, was taken up and read.
Mr.. Ashley moved to strike out the word
'semployees, and in sert the words ''three
3ervitors. Agreed to.
The resolution as amended, was passed.
The House, on motion of Mr.. French, of
Bladen, adjourned.
MORNING SESSION.