New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-09-28

taken his seat when he referred to the Con
stitution of this State as being bastard
springtng from the lowest pits of hell, be.
cause this was a sentiment which did NOT
expect 70 hear from the lips of such man.
Mr.: Ogden: / said that It was an opinion
thatI entertained of the Constitution, / said
that in order to define the position that
we had taken that we were not REQUIRED
to support that Constitution. took great
pains to say that opinions might differ. In
my Language tried, as far as possible, to
copy the exact language used by Mr.. Camp
bell The language, I admit was, perhsps.
iittle parliamentary, but had the pre-.
cedent OF the distinguished Senator for SO
doing. a.r4. ,ilT
Mr.. Pinchback; Still am no. better in
formed why 1t was that the gentleman used
such language inasmuch as he tells me it
Is his opinion, that it ia his opinion that
the Constitution Is bastard spriuging from
the lowest pits ofhell is, for the reason that
men with African blood in their veins form
ed part of the Convention which
framed it. There is but this one difference
between this Constitution framed by that
ConYe entien aud the old Constitution. The
Constitution to which he had reference gives
all men equal rights before the law.
Nj. Ogden: No, sir, 1t proscribes many
men and that is the very question we are dis
cussing.
Mr., Pinchback; Well, sir, taking the ex-
| PidndVtOA maui Dy the gentleman, am
proud to say that if there is any prescription
IN that Constitution it did not go there by
my vote, and, as l said before, when began
to take an active interest in politics, what
ever ! have done in that field, |
did not do and have not done
it for the purpose Of advancing my
own individual interests but for the purpose
ofadyancing the interests of that people who
have been so long and sorely oppressed in
these United States. The gentleman was
think, rather irrelevant in his remarks
when he went off into an eulogy of the
Lost Cause, and taking his remarks as a
precedent, desire to defend the cause of
those whom | represent upon this floor. He
said in his remarks that "we' have suffered
as no people have ever suffered. That forces
| me TO smile-that "wen have suffered as no
people ever suffered. How ran the gentle
man utter such words upon the floor of this
House In presence of gentlemen of wisdom
assembled around him when he recollects
what has been the condition of the people
that belong to in this country. Who'll the
whole course OF human affairs has ever seen
his people put upon block and sold laid
upon the ground, tied hand and foot
securely to a stake, their backs lashed until
there was not spot upon which could be
| put the point OF knife that was not raw?
Such wrongs have been inflicted upon my
own kindred and people. With knowl
edge of these facts staring us in the face
and in advance of the opinion of the world,
and when it was presumed that our people
| would 1naugurate an internecine strife in this
country, we, with a Christian forbearance
and magnanimity, which believe has char
acterized no other race Ofpeople under Gods
sun, bore our wrongs patiently, praying only
| that God, the supreme ruler of the universe.
would deliver US as he did the children of
Israel. And, sir, l could not speak in
greater praise ofany people and their actions
| l could not say anything that would equal
what was said in their praise by most dis
tinguished statesman Of the South, the Hon.
| Alexander H. Stevens, late Nlce-President
of the Confederate States. Let us hear
what he says. want to show the gentle
man that we are entitled to respect and
confidence, and, sir, hope my vote and
that of my colored colleagues III this House
will vindIcate the assertion make.
Now, sir, in speaking of the cOlored ele-
ment in a very elaborate, and | may add
able address, before the Georgia Legisla-
turc Mr., Stephens uses this language after
advising the Legislature to pass laws pro-
tecting them, he says: "This duty of giving
this new system a fair and Just trial will re.
quire OF yen as Legislators of the land,
great changes in our former laws in regard
TO this large class of population. Wise and
humane provisions should be made for
them. 1t is not for me to go into details.
pie protection should be secured to them,
so that they may stand equal before the
law in the possession and the enjoyment of
all the rights OF person, liberty aud prop
erty. many considerations claim this at
your hands; among these may be stated
their fidelity in times past. They cultivated
your fields, mlnlStered to your personal
wants and comforts, nursed and reared
your children, and even in the hour OF dan
ger and peril they were in the main true to
you and yours. To them we owe debt of
gratitude as well as acts of kindness. This
should also be done because they are poor,
untutored, uniniormed, many of them help
less, Liable to be imposed upon and need, it.
Legislation should ever look to the protec-
ton of the weak against the strong. What.
ever may be said of the equality of races,
Or their natural capacity to become equal,
no one can doubt that at this time the race
among us is not equal to the Caucasian.
This inequality does not lessen the moral
obligations on the part of the superior to
the Inferior, it rather increases them. From
him who has much, more is required than
from him who has little. The present gen.
Grafton of them, 1t is true, is far above
their savage progenitors who were
.lrst introduced into this country, in general
| intelligence, virtue and moral culture
This shows capacity for Improvement. But
in all the higher characteristics of develop
nlent they are stlll very far below the Eu-
ropean type. What further advancement
they may make, or to what stand they may
obtain under different system of laws,
every way suitable and wisely applicable to
their Changed condition, time alone can dis
| Close .- ..EI
Now, sir, i'll should speak here upon that
subject for, years, probably / could not say
more thai is compressed within these words.
have quoted this authority to show that
the colored people of the State of Louisiana,
and OF every Southern State are entitled to
the confidence, respect and gratitude Of the
white people of these States, and that they
should not be hunted down and shot merely
because they will not be suppliant tools to
their own destruction. ] have received in
formation this very day that party of our
own people, meeting merely for the purpose
of expressing their sentiments upon the po-
lucal issues Of the day, was fired upon and
dispersed by a body Of armed white men of
the Democratic party. This is wrong. This
| injustice is calculated, sir, to wall us up 10
the Republican party, so that there will be
no other party but that one which we can
| support, My people will be compelled to
vote that ticket now and for all time to
come. l, sir, sm, one who do not wish to
see such condition of sflsirs in this State.
| want TO see the people of this State, the
State in which my lot Is cast, free to choose
to what party they viii he!eng But, sir,
| we can not dc this until equal Justice is
given to US by all parties. Tie gentleman,
certainly will not say that this justice is
! accorded to us when We are not allowed to
meet and TO consult together. am aware
that these remarks are not strictly relevant
l to the question but ] have made them
because the gentleman has made such
an eloquent appeal In defense Of
his people l thought / had the same
|