Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-07-17
doubtless meant to be included under the


designation of Stree persons" as slaves
and Indians we're intended to be designa-
ted by the term IS all other persons"
The Indians of North Carolina have as
much right to share in the making of the
laws of the State as the "free negro. -
They 1.-THE Indians) are subject to the same
constitutional disabilities as the free ne
gro, and the highest tribunals OF the coun-
try in New York in 1888, solemnly decreed
that Indians" were not citizens-(the
Court of Errors of New York land in this
respect they reversed the decision OF the
Supreme Court of that State.
In Connecticut it has been decided by
Chief Justice Dagget Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court in the proceedings against
Prudence Crandel. that Stree blacks >
were not citizens, within the meaning of the
term, as understood and acted upon by the
trainers of the Federal Constitution.
In Virginia similar decision has been
made, and in Tennessee, in the case of the
estate VS.. Clairborn," it was directly held
that I" free negroes are not il any of the
States entitled to the "privileges and inn
munities of ''citizens;" and further, thai
State (for political reasons) may consti
tutionally prohibit their coming into its
borders. In 1S41 the Attorney General OF
the United States gave his opinion tha
the fire. blacks " acere not citizens, within
the intention of the act relating to the
coasting trade.
In 1888 Connecticut passed law direct
ing that every col0red person coming there
to be Instructed, should be removed.
Ohio III 1907 prohibited free negro
from settling in that State, unless he gave
bond in the sum of $500 for good beha
vlor, and also that he should not become
a pauper.
Indiana in 1885, and Michigan in 1927,
and Illinois long previously, adopted The
same poIicy.
In lo48 New York, by large majority OF
votes, refused to confer OF Sc free negroes
the elective franchise.
In 1856 Massachusetts declared that no
white man should marry a negro, and yet
the Legislature of North Carolina, in 1867,
actually refused to prohibit it.
These disabilities go clearly to prove that
the term "citlzen was only intended to
apply to our republican freemen.
Now, l respectfully ask whether those
sLave hotding States in the Convention could
ever have intended to apply the clause
giving equal privileges" to citizens in
any State, to persons who, in e0ery State,
were treated as degraded caste - of in
ferior rank No the thing is utterly pre-
posterous and absurd.
But it has been asked, have not a ma
jnrity right to rule =? Yes, they should
rule /; but in the language of the great Pitt,
| they should so rule as not to contradict the
principles common to all. They should
with us, so rule as not to contravene the
plainest principles of a aorine1a Constitution
which all have sworn to support.
This, In oar government, is as far al
majoritles have a right to go !; for minori
ties have rights as well as majorities, ant
ac1'itte1a Constitutions were made for the pro
lection of minorites.
The evidence now produced upon tn,
main question must be conclusiue of thu
question at issue, unless you are prepared
to reject all evidence and go back to state
of nature, where mightmakes right to which
state, indeed, it seems, we are making
rapid strides. Yes, as nooo everything il
in chaotic state. the whole country SEEM
to be in disorganized condition, strongly
resembling revolutionary France, in thu
days of Danton and Robespier. with TIKI
difference in favor of France, for the French
had intelligence, but without any religion
element to counterfeit the bad passions O
men whereas, Judging by those who max
our laws) we are about to be overrun will
ignorance, DOLn III leglsIaL1On, as we'll as II
the judiciary of the country, and are far
ceru far from being surcharged with an,
very great degree of the moral elemen
which I hold to be more essential than al
unrestrained intelligence to the proper ad
ministration and observation of wholesome
laws.
But must stop the discussion, but would
resume it if I thought it would be produc
tive of any practical good effect.
''SENEX. FROM RICHMOND COUNTY.
The "Sentinel" and other papers agree
ing with me in sentiment, that ''this is no
the best government under the sum-" will
please copy.