Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-28


scented is, Is it polite to present the cues.
ton as to whether or not the colored men
shall be made constitutional voters, 10 the
people, separate from the balance OF the
Constitution, or shall the same De submit
ted with the balance of the Constitution as
a. vbole9 Now. I have confidence in the
people and believe they will do right
either wav And submit it in
whatever way we may think is right and
polite. the people will not violate any
| promise or pledge they have made to the
colored man. 1 do not think it is right to
make him voter against his viii, nor to
deprive him of vote against the will of
the majority of our State, including both
the colored and white men of our State.
over the age of twenty-one years. I think
the white ought to act in good faith to the
black, and the black in good faith to the
white.
Under the Fourteenth Amendment 1
admit that representation depends upon
| the voting population of State, and in
proportion as a State decreases its voting
population, in that proportion viii it de-
crease its representation in Congress
Then, by allowing our color5d race to vote,
we get that much more representation in
Congress, and have stronger voice
there in defending our natural rights.
But if We submit this question separate
from the balance of the Constitution, that
does not decide the question, but leaves it
to be decided by the voice Of both the
white and black man. If we submit it
with the balance of the Constitution, that
does not decide the question, but leaves it
to be decided by the voice of both the
white and black man. Some say both the
white and black are for enfranchise-
ment. Then there is no danger. Some
say il may be lost. Then they misrepre-
sent instead of represent their constituents.
If, then, they are afraid it will be lost as q
separate proposition, why not afraid it will
be lost as a whole Some say the Fifteenth
Amendment will be passed before the
people vote to ratify this Constitution.
Then. if it does pass, the people will
be bound to ratify the separate clause as to
colOred suffrage, and there Is no
danger in that. Some say they are
tired of hearing the negro question
discussed. They are generally the ones
that discuss it the most. Some say fix it
now while we have it in our power. am
not here to exercise power, but privilege.
As an agent 1 am here TO exercise the
privilege Of rejecting the Will Of my peo-
pie, and not mine. 1 have none but dele
gated powers, and it is arbitrary and not
acting in good faith to exercise any other;
and if know their will will try to vote
it, and if fail 1t will be an error Of the |
head, and not of the heart A constitution |
is the organic law of the land, and ought |
never to be forced upon any people against
fhsfr will = 90 rrr,b4 or av,o
ocratic, nor is it admitting that the people |
are capable of self-government If such
position is taken, then the next step will be |
that we will not submit any part of the |
Constitution to the people, but assume all |
power and declare that the power is not IN |
the people, but in this body. 1t is this idea |
aud an attempt to carry it out that destroys |
all free government, and is now taking the |
rights Of the States from them and concen-
trating them in the General Government; |
for the further you take power from the |
people, the nearer and more it goes into /
the hands Of arbitrary and despotic bodies |
1t is by e compromise of opinion that all |
law exists. Thus the Constitutions Of the |
United States and every State, and all laws |
made il pursuance thereof, we're made. So
this body came here as the agents Of their /
EsSNAANS BNSlAEs " SpACoSLlN tA&O hAONo-
necessities and wants Of our constituents,
and put them all together as one general |
compact Though no one of us may get
all we want, still we must yield some
to get others to do the same, in order
that We may have general organic law TO
send back to cur people for their general
ratification at the ballot-box, and that We
can all give a general and hearty support
when we return TO our fresides at home
among those who have placed such trust
and cOnfLSnce in Us. Let Us do nothing
to shake this trust, SO that we may convince
the people of both races that we are willing
to submit all our acts back to the peOpls
either as q whole or separate proposition.
If all Is submitted as a whole, and rejected, |
we lose the great object Of this assem-
blage which is the enfranchisement of the
DISTINGUISHED whites. If separate, still
part may be rejected and the great vital
object be accomplished by accepting the
balance. Thus some good would be &C.
complshed; otherwise great injury and ca
lamity would bsfall US. Now, what is the
best policy, most consistent with our duty,
and viii best serve the welfare of our
whole people regardless of race or color,
are questions that address themselves TO |
my mind, and cause me to pause and think,
and in the short time I have had TO think
about questions of so much importance,
and the minds Of the people not having |
had time to mature them well, l an led
to the conclusion that a submission Of the
proposition before the House separate
would more likely and better acoomp-
fish our desired purpose than to put all |
together Though, if on the other hand, |
submitting all together would be the best
policy and more in accordance with the |
will and wish Of the people, then 1 would /
feel it was my duty, and would eheerfully
support that.
] think in almost every instance whore |
the people are willing to take the whole of |
a Constitution, they would be willing TO
take any important or vital part of the |
whole as a separate proposition, but on the |
contrary, in many instances they may re- |
ject the whole 10 get nd Of q noZious part. |
Although may be for and sustain the
whole, DO not want to lose all our work
by the rejection Of part. l present these
views to this body for their calm, deliberate
consideration, as it is said, and l believe it,
in the multitude Of council there is wisdom.
Having therefore already trespassed too
long upon your patience and time, l con-
clude by bestOwing upon the President and
members Of the House my sincere thanks
for the undivided attention they have given
me while talking.