Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-28
Mr.. Abbott: OF course not.

and hoped the report of The committee
would be adopted.
Pending the discussion the Chair an
nounced the special order, viz: The article
on Suffrage.
Mr. Sweet moved to postpone it until
the matter under discussion be disposed of.
Carried.
Mr.. Congleton next spoke in favor of
the proposed change.
Mr. Mann hoped the motion to recon-
nit would prevail.
The question lecurred upon the motion
to recommit, which was put to a vote and
lost.
Mr., Morton moved to amend by striking
Stanly county" from the Sd and eddinS
it TO the 9TH District.
Mr.. Tourgee wished to know what the
question was before the House.
The Chair replied that he supposed the
gentleman ought to know.
Mr.. Tourgee replied that lie was not ac-
customed to ask questions when he knew
! the answers. He saw several gentlemen
on the floor, urging different motions and
amendments.
The President: Take your seats, gentle
men L insist on order; take your seats,
and / will recognize somebody.
| A good deal of wrangling here ensued
upon tho various amendments and mo-
tions.
Mr.. Pool moved to recommit to the COM
mlttee, with instructions to re-district the
districts upon the basis of the registered
vote.
Mr.. POOLS motion was put TO vote and
lost
Mr.. Morton's amendment was then
adopted.
The question recurred upon the report
OF the committee.
| Tho yaoc opJ nouo ,uo,a ooJIaJ ~, xoo
ton of Mr.. Heaton, and the vote stood,
yeas II, nays 2S
The Suffrage question was next resumed.
Mr.. Abbott said that it had been his de-
sire to address the Convention, very brief
| ly, but his attention had been so largely
occupied by this "divorce case, ;" this morn
ing, that he would yield the floor to any
gentleman who might wish to speak on this
subject.
No one evincing desire to occupy tho
floor, Mr.. Abbott commenced his speech
by stating that voting had been exercised
by all races and countries in some way or
other. He cited the different manner in
which the ballot was exercised by different
nations III the earlier ages
He believed that every one who had vol
UNFAIRLY borne arms against the govern
ment, was, under the Constitution, guilty
of treason, and was deprived of his former
rights. He alluded to this, for he had
heard good deal of talk of the rights of
those now disfranchised. Those men had
no rights, save only what the corquering
party gave them. The rights of this State
had been aiienated by participation in the
rebellion, and would not be restored until
the Congress saw fit to give them back to
them.
MIR. Graham, of Orange, interrupted him,
asking the question d" DO you consider
that the government of the United States
had a tight to punish the States of the
South, as such, or must it proceed against
individuals ; if SO, can any further or other
punishment than that prescribed by the
Constitution, be inflicted"
Mr.. Abbott did not reply directly, but
said that Jhis would involve too great dis
cnssion concerning the intent and meaning
OK the Constitution.
He did not thlnk it was safe to admit to
office or ballot those who are going to use
them to the injury of the government but
to those who had come forward and frank
ly submitted to the results of the war. 70
all such men lie would extend the right of
suffrage such men as RUdman, Long
street, Orr and Holden. He had not al
luded to negro suffrage and did not intend
to, for that was q fOregOne conclusion
The question was how to deal with men
who would not accept the provisions of the
acts of Congress, but who were hostile to
it.
He would vote for the majority report
with some notifications, and attaching q
test oath for voting, in order to bar men
who would only return to the exercise of
that privilege to attempt another dlsrup-
tlOn In the government. When loose
mouthed declaimers like Vance learned to
hush their threats, when the rebellious peo-
pie and press ceased their revilings, and
when they became unconditiOnally loil,"
he would receive them and not before.
Mr.. Congleton concurred with Mr.. Alb
bott IN toto (of course.)
Mr.. May said, after long and malevo-
lent harangue, elf there was but one dis
loyal man in the State he would say dis
franchise him if 10, 600 disfranchise them;
if II, 900 dsfranchise them. He believed
that the spirit of rebellion still burned in
the bO6Oms of those men, and he could not
support any measure giving them rights
forfeited by their crimes unless they re-
pent."
He continued in the same bitter and vio-
lent strain, eliciting applause from the Rad
zeal portion of the House.
Mr.. Ellis said he had noticed each and
every delegate as they approached this
subject, and they had made it a purely po-
lltical measure, to build up party and not
to enhance the happiness aud welfare of
the people. lie was opposed to all meas
ures vindictive in themselves and dcgra-
ding to the people. The delegate, who
had just taken his seat had, in the outset,
declared that he intended TO consider this
matter III purely ii Statesn2at-iihe oieD, but
it was not long before he driftcd into petty
partyism. The gentleman from Pasquo-
tank had declared that the right of suffrage
was inherent, and if that is SO why are we
here al Convention, legiolating upon this
subject? [ have listened to threats Of hang
ing men on account of their political senti-
ments. l have listened to the haranguing
Of different delegates on this floor for pro-
scribing and hanging intelligent and vir-
TuOus gentlemen OF our State, to the pre-
ferment of an ignorant and inferior race
all to build up party vile, tyrannical, and
oppressive to the liberties of the people
There could be no disguise put upon the
matter.
Mr.. E. continued his remarks for some
time, entering into clear and searching
argument bearing upon the case.
! This speech called Galloway (negro) to
his feet, who occupied the floor for some
Time.