The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-14

unnecessary to be more explicit. They had
discussed this matter in committee, and tn
determination arrived at was not to introduce
the word color in the Bill of Rights. All cit.
zens duly qualified we're entitled to equaI
privileges, and it was unnecessary to draw
lines OF distinction. The colored man was clti-
zen. His rights had been declared, and he
1.-THE speaker} said he proposed to defend those
rights wherever he might be called-whetheI
it be in the halls of legislation or upon the field
of contest.
A. J. Ransier said that while he wanted the
principle laid down clearly, that in all matters
his race were civilly and politically equsl with,
and entitled to all the privileges Of other men,
he was not in favor ofemploying the words race
and color" in the constitution:
F. Z. Cardoza (colored), said that it was q
patent fact that, OF colored men, they had
been cheated out of their rights for two GEN.
turtles, and now that they had the opportunity
he wanted to fix then in the. constitution in
such way that no lawyer, however cunning
or astute, could possibly misinterpret the
meaning. If they did not do 30, they deserved
to be. and would be, cheated again. Nearly all
the white inhabitants of the State were ready
at any moment to deprive them of these rights,
and not loop-hole should be left that would
nerm,t them TO do it constitutionally Not one
Of them scarcely were in favor OF this conven-
tion. and lust so soon as they had the power,
whether by the election of Democratic Presi-
dent. or by an increase OF emigration, they
would endeavor to overthrow the constitution.
Hence, while they the conyentlon) had q
the words "witheut distinction OF race or
color" wherever it was necessary to give force
and clearness to their purpose,
Gilbert Pillsbury favored the amendment.
Nothing but the cannon of the United States
knocked the sentiment Of slavery out Of tho
constitution, That sentiment had been ex-
pressed in polite language; but in the Bill OF
Rights of South Carolina it should be recog-
nzed beyond peradventure that the colored
recently told by white man that all the legis-
lation TO be accomplished could not make @
citizen out of niger.
q, p. Leslie inquired what was meant BY the
word .tinbabitant' in section 33. II the dele
pate from Charleston, in explicit terms, admit
ted that colored men are inhabitants, there
could be no doubt in the minds OF sensible men
lhat their rights we're already guaranteed.
why then all this anxious concern about race
q. PIlIsbury answered by inquiring what was
meant by the decl ration call men were free
and equal" .,,,.
t;on of the inhabitants Of the United States at
the time of the adoption Of the Declaration Of
Independence we're held as slaves, the phrase
was evidently not intended to apply to this
class. But had the declaration said every in
habitant" was born free and equal, 1t would
then have covered colored men.
Mr. Pillsbury made some further remarks
and concluded by moving asl an amendment to
strike out the words irrespective CT race and
color" where they occur q second time and
also the word common"
B. r. Randolph opposed the lastamendment.
The word common" expressed exactly what
was meant. Common, public and political
privileges were what they wanted and nothing
less.
The motion to strike out was not agreed to-.
MrsWhittemore moved to amend verbally,
which was agreed to.
The entire section as amended was then read
a second time and passed to lts third reading.
Section 40 received its second reading.
N. j. McKinlay (colored), Of Charleston, Of
fered as O substitute the following:
$ SEC. 42. ALI navigable waters shall remain
forever public highways: free to the citizens OF
the State and the United States, without tax,
iimpost or toll imposed; and no tax, toll or Inn,
most shall be imposed, demanded or received
from the owner Of any merchandise or COM
modify, for the use Of any navigable stream,
unless tho same be authorized by the leglsla-
ture.
bv Nlessrs. Holmes, Bowen and W. McKinlay.
b. Byas (colored), made n long speech in
which everybody was taken to task Tor making
unnecessary speeches which cost the conyen-
ton thirty-fye dollars every five minutes.
He didn't do such things himself, and coming
thore as he did to represent his constituents
and do the best he could in the shortest posi-
bic time, he thought it wrong that everybody
sbould not initiate his example and leave it to
committees to Judge as to what was most re-
orired for tho good of the country.
The amendment was finally adopted, and the
section passed to it's third reading.
SEQ. 43. The enumeration OF rights IN this
constitution shall not be construed to impair
or DENY others retained by the people, and all
powers not herein delegated remain with the
people. H. 1:u
of RIGHTS. was adopted, and the question was
on passing the preamble.
T i. Wright moved an amendment, which
WAS discussed at some length, but MIR. White
moro. the chairman OF the committee appeal
ed TO the convention to allow the preamble to
stand as it was, without change, as matter
of courtesy to the gentlemen by whom 1t had
been reported.
The preamble was therefore passed to it's
third reading with the only amendment being
q substitution of the word "people" for the
words "body polite"
SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS
we're now introduced.
By Mr.. B. O. Duncan (white), of Newberry- -
That the legislature shall levy no poll tax ex-
cent for educational purposes Referred to the
Committee on the Bill of Rights.
That the Legislature shall enact such Laws as
may be necessary TO prevent the bearing OF
deadly weapons.
That no lottery or lottery office shall be au-
.l,ar;.o5 i, tho Stotc Raferred TO the Com