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

4
sent it forth as a separate proposition
they at once stirred up excitement fro
one end of the State to the other. T
hoped rather that they would seek
establish peace and harmony.
Mr.. Porter, Of Haywood, said the
found the negro a voter in the State, an
so acknowledged by the laws. Whi
more3 The probability was that in
short time the Fifteenth Amendmel
would pass, and they must all recogni1
it. They stalk ed all upon the war and los
They could do nothing but to submit. II
accepted the situation without resistance
and such be believed was the general fee
ing of the people of the State. Ifhe az
cepted the amendment of the majority
but did so loathingly, and with faiterin
heart. He could not become the execU
toner of his people, and therefore h
should vote for the minority report
The Convention took a recess.
Afternoon Session.
Mr.. Seay said he considered it his i'm
perative duty to vote for the majority re
port. He could see no force in the argu
ments which had been adduced in favor o
submitting the question to a separate vott
of the people. AS an original proposition
he was opposed to negro suffrage, but h
realized the fact that it had been accomp
lished. He labored all he could to defea
this result. With the Fifteenth Amend
ment on the eve of adoption, he could see
no use in submitting the proposition as
distinct question to the people, and much
harm might result. Most, or perhaps all
of the delegates on this floor received
negro votes. He did not believe the white
people would take the chains from their
own limbs to bind them upon the colored
man. He was strongly in favor of the
majority report.
Mr.. Doherty said his mind had been
made up on this question. He thought it
would be cruel to take the ballot from the
negro. He had received negro votes and
he did not intend to turn round and dis
franchise the men who had helped to send
him here. He was tired of the negro
question; he wanted to see it settled and
settled forever. The people were sick
and tired of it. His people did not want
it sent back to them; some of his con-
stituency had said to him, 'For Gods
sake, go in and settle this question He
believed the negroes would vote with
their old friends and masters. He should
vote for the majority report. Some gen
tlemen said that, as an abstract question,
they were not in favor of negro suffrage.
He didn't care anything about a5strac-
tons. He believed in looking at matters
as they were The negro had
behaved himself well after be had been
freed
Mr.. Allen believed this question should
be settled as the majority of the Com
mittee on Franchise had reported. He
did not take this position because he
loved the negro; because he was afraid
of collision. He recognized the superb
ority of the white man, but he urged that
the two races should be allowed equal
lights at the ballot box because the PEG
pie desired it; desired it because they
were helpless. The people had admon-
lshed them in every way that they could
not stand up in the Convention for the
vain theory that this is a white mans
government. There was danger that the
State would be interfered with if the
State refused to adopt negro suffrage. He
desired to raise no fears. There was
danger, and the people felt it. He was
not responsible that the negro had been
made voter; the war had settled that.
What was the use in their standing up
against q power which they had fought
against unsuccessfully for four years,
when that power had said that the ne
gro should vote.
Mr.. Mabry moved the previous question
but withdrew it with the understanding
hat Mr.. Nicholson, Chairman of the
Committee on Franchise, should have one
hour to conclude the debate, and should
lien renew the call for the previous qucs-
ion.
Mr.. Williamson was granted the floor
1y Mr. Nicholson, for the purpose of
'eading certain statements why ne could
not vote for the majority report.
He could not vote for the majority re-
port because it proposed a great change
n the political system, and as he thought,
n the social relations heretofore existing
between the white and the negro race.
lie should vote against the majority re-
,Ort for the reason, that, like Congress in
IS policy of admitting the Southern
states, a compliance with condition was
equired. He would be compelled to in
lOrse negro suffrage or lose all the bene-
It's of the other amendments. He was
opposed because if the questions were
eparated, as admitted by Mr.. Netherland,
hey would vote it down. He was op-
,osed again on the ground that it endan- |
,ers the ratification of the action of the |
He should voIe against it |
gain on the ground that he did not wish |
o commit himself to negro suffrage.
Mr.. Nicholson said he arose under
much embarrassment. He was to speak |
lpOn a question which had been worn |
,ut; he was to speak TO an audience i'm |
patient, and when he was himself worn |
,ut He should not attempt to review
he arguments which had been made; |
should not advance anything |
lew. The Convention had now been en-
tagged in the discussion of this question |
or four days. He had never listened to |
lebate with more profit, and he thought |
t would have done honor to the Congress of |
he United States in its palmiest days. On |
heir statute book was an act which dis
about 100000 white men and |
10000 colored men. The
question was would they enfranchise those
white men and disfranchise the other |
ace, or make the suffrage universal.
When the white people were disfranchised
hey complained, and justly, too, of the |
injustice and wrong which they were
to undergo. Now would the |
white people turn around and submit the |
negro to the same injustice. He admired
he ability and eloquence with which his |
young friends argued the minority report, |
Dnt they were making rash issue. This |
was not the time to talk about States
rights or the inferiOTity of the negro. |
This was the wrong time to apply these
great truths and principles. These truths |
we're not dead, but crushed TO earth; they |
would never die, but they could not be |
sustained against the united opinion of |
The North. What was the use in urging
these great principles as vital, vigor-
BUS principles to-day. When the
Southern armies surrendered it was
decided that the majority should rule, |
The great doctrine of States rights |
was overcome, as was the idea that this |
was white mans government. Could
hey unearth those great principles now
n this changed aspect of affairs when |
Congress was almost supreme. The negro |
had been freed, he had been made citi-
zen, and now all that was necessary TO |
complete the circle was to make. him a |
voter The Government of the United |
States had determined that the negro |
should vote, and in this state of things |
what Mnnld wise craftsmanship dictate |