New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-25
Sections Eve, six, sevon, eight and ten
uyn,o thom o1utoI and an~tiou uiuo atricl,on

Todd moved an amendment to the section
providing that the institution should be
open to all blind persons, regardless of race,
color or previous condition. He thought
it possible that at some time in tho future
the board Of trustees might be composed of
men antagOnistic to the colored race, and
they might refuse admittance to persons of
that color on the plea that they were not
OF good moral character. 1t was to protect
the cOlOred race that he offered this addi-
tional section.
Mr.. Raglan said he had been on the point
OF introducing a similar amendment to the
bill himself. He thought the amendment
offered by Senator Todd would cover the
question.
Mr.. Anderson: l do not think there is
any necessity for this amendment. In my
opinion. the second section of the bill covers
this question completely. 1t is therein pro-
vided "that all blind persons. residents of
this State. of sound mind and good moral
character shall be admitted into this in
stitutiOn. That certainly includes all the
blind people in the State of Louisiana who
are not disqualified by reason of unsound
mind or bad character. l, therefore, cannot
see how any good result can be obtained bv
the adoption of this amendment
Mr.. Thompson also thought there was no
necessity for the proposed amendment. In
his opinion. this worry difficulty was pro-
vided for in article thirteen of the cOnstitu-
ton.
Mr.. Todd If had no other inducement
to insist upon my amendment, should GER
tainly do so Oh account Of tho objection to
it coming from tho side of the House that it
does.
Mr.. Lewis: l agree with the Senator from
st. Landry Mr.. Anderson that this amend
ment is entirely unnecessary. In every State
in the United States all male persons over
tho age of twenty-On are voters. All persons
born in the United States and all foreigners
that have been duly naturalizcd are citizens
of the United States. no matter whether
their color be black or white. Ii a man has
been naturalized it is not even necessary
that he should speak the English language
to he citizen. Therefore, for the
reason that all are citizens of the
United States. and consequently of
the State of Louisiana, l consider
that it is entirely unnecessary to insert
into every bill that cOmes before us the
everlasting words without regard to race.
color or previous condition" If there was
a law ON the statute books providing that
the cOlcrcd portion of the people e0f the
State should be excluded from this institu-
ton. it would be proper for the champions
OF that race to step forward and insist
that Justice should be done but
We all know that no such law exists. We
might as consistently incorporate a prOvi-
sion into every bill that no person of Ger
man. or French. or English, or Scotch. or
Irish extraction should be refused admit
lance into the various public institutions as
to be eternally repeating those everlasting
and never-tO-be forgotten words, without
regard to race, color or previous condition"
The prejudice against the African race may
exist for two or three generations to come.
but that prejudice cannot abTidge the rights
they possess under tho present law. l am OPP
posed to the amendment as being supert1u-
Ous.
Mr.. Blackman remarked that if he were
a representative of the cOlOred race llo
should certainly oppose the amendment.
Mr. Barber: regret that l have deemed
it necessary to raise my voice in this Senate
chamber upon this question. There is no gen
teman ON this floor who more eagerly looks
forward to the day when class legislation can
bo done away with, and when the laws
enacted by legislative assemblies shall be
for the benefit of all classes and colors alike
than do | was surprised when | heard
the Senator from Sabine Mr.. I4ewisl say
that he considered this amendment a super
fluffy. when he himselfhas been. and is now.
unable to return to his Senatorial district on
account Of the prejudice prevailing there
against him because of the stand he has
taken Oh the side of universal freedom and
universal! suffrage
As long as such prejudice against my
race exists in the breasts Of the white PEG
plc of Louisiana, l think that some provi-
sion of this character should DO incorporated
in every measure that comes before this Gen
cral Assembly, having for its object the
maintenance of any institution fostcred by
the State. If 1 could be assured by the
gentlemen who oppose this amendment that
halo nuin IN Il
mitted to the enjoyment of the same right,
and privileges enjoyed by any other class of
men. then no man would be more willing
than myself to expunSe from the statute
books the words without regard to race,
color or previous condition" where
ever they may occur; but "a
long as those words are ensratted in every
law, it is an acknowledgment that the
colored race admit their inferioritv to the
the safeguards the law can throw around
them. Whenever tho people of this State
recognize the men of my race as citizeus
of their color, then the time for
such legislation will be past: but, until we
arrive at that high stage of civilization, it
is necessary that the Legislature should i'm
press upon the minds of the white people
Of the State the fact that all men are free
and equal before the law. 1t is for
tlc icdoOu tutt Il pOEtlOu Oh the
gentlemans constituents do not vet
recognize that doctrine as the fundamental
law of the State that he is unable to return
there with safety. | am sorry, however,
that tho gentleman from Jefferson Mr..
Todd presented his amendment at the time
he did. | had an amendment which |
wished to offer as an additional section. and
which think will cover the whole u,les-
ton. If We were to adopt his amendment
to the section under consideration, 1t would
be necessary to 90 back to the sections
which have already been adopted and in
sert the same prOvisO. l think it would he
better to add another section to the bill,
providing that this act shall not be con
strued SO as to exclude from this institution
any person or persons on account of race,
color or previous condition If the gentle
man Mr.. Todd will withdraw his amend
ment, will offer mine in its stead.
Mr.. Todd withdrew his amendment.
Section eleven was then adopted.
section referred to.
Mr.. Lewis: In explanation of nv previous
remarks On this subject, desire to say that
have no objection whatever to this amend
mcnt except that look upon it as meaning
less. Had the first amendment come from
a member Of the colOrcd race, l would not
have objected so strongly to it; but coming
from man belonging to the white race
it as mere buncOmbc
This bill provides for the admission into
this institution of all blind persons of good
moral character, and do not think it's Ian
guage can be made more forciblc or binding
than it is now by the insertion of the words
without regard to race, color or previous
conditisn.' A Republican Governor is to
appoint the members Of the board of
trustees, OF which he is to be tho er olicio
president; Certainly the men that be will