The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-25

and bring our government back to the
principles upon which it was founded.
I believe that it is conceded that we
have the Constitutional right to prescribe
the qualifications for holding office
The distinguished gentleman from
Berkeley (Mr. Faulkner) SAYS there is
no constitutional or legal difficulty in
the way that will prevent US from re-
quiring that an officer OF this State
shall be a white man, and l believe all
the other members who advocate the
pending proposition take the same view
Of this subject But they tell US that
they will incur the displeasures of the
powers at Washington and put the ex
istenee of the State in peril. The gen
tleman from Marion Mr.. Raymond.
warns us of the fatal consequences tina
must follow if we insert this wore
white" in our Constitution, and points
to the fact that the Congress Of the
United States annihilated the Legisla
ture Of Georgia because that body de
clared that negroes could not occupy
seats in the Legislature of that State
Sir, that usurpation of Congress wa
founded upon that absurd and mon
strous proposition contained in the
preamble of the reconstruction acts
The first assertion OF the falsehood thai
l am combating to-day, is not upon
any constitutional prerogative, and
therefore is not applicable TO the case
before US. Let me ask if this power i:
80 absolute, or if Congress is 30 reckless
in the exercise Of this unwarrantable
power, why has Kentucky not been re-
constructed Why is it that her Con-
sttutioual provisions and legal enact
ments are not abrogated by this central
power? Is it because they find there a
spirit Of manliness that they dare not
disregard Proud old Kentucky! The
eldest daughter OF the Mother OF States.
Our eldest sister, by her firmness and
earnest defense OF the principles OF lib,
erty commands the admiration and
respect of every patriot in our land
10 day she stands almost the only
fortress of the faith of our fathers, and
although the waves OF lanai c'sm aud
the pillows OF encroachment OF Federal
power have dashed against her solid
ramparts, still she stands firm and erect,
the refuge of liberty. Why has not
Maryland and little Delaware been
crushed? The attempt was made, but
why not consummated? Sir, it ls be-
cause these States resisted the encroach-
menis OF Federal power. | think | may
truly say that these high'handed usur
pations have been accomplished only
where there was an unresisting yielding
or a tacit invitation TO the government TO
exercise the power.
The gentleman from Taylor Mr.,
MARTINI says that if we leave the word
white" in this section the Sumner
bill will be passed by Congress, and we
be arrayed against the laws OF Con-
gress. Is that gentleman also willing
10 bow his neck in humble submission
to the usurpations of a partisan Con
gress aud acknowledge in advance the
supremacy OF an unconstitutional en-:
actmeot OF that body2 Gentlemen tell
US that they love the principles that l
am advocating-that every sentiment
that I utter meets a glad response in
their heart OF hearts. But they say
we dare not do 1.-THE Government
will annihiIate US il we do. Sir, let me
tell that gentleman that l dare do any
thing that is right! shall defend the
old Ship, and if the worst shall come,
when by the assault Of the enemy she
goes down, a wrecked, mang led mass,
| shall 60 down with her, pointing to
the colors, the emblem OF her former
glory, and, in burial, her shroud.
The gentleman from Wood (Mr
Jackson tells us that there is a power
higher than the. State Constitution
which regulates the right to hold office
in this State. Where is that despotc
power which assumes to break down
the State barriers and destroy the rights
OF the people? Or who is the despol
who sits enthroned at Washington, and
who by one fell swoop Of his pen car
uu,lify the laws Of a State? Sir,
have not so learned the principles o.
our government, and l deny that there
is any constitutional right conferred up
on any one to exercise this power; and
if it is an unconstitutional power, tC
exercise it is an usurpation which should
be resisted by every legitimate means
in our power. But, he asks, what IL tc
prevent them from reconstructing Yves,
virginia? 1 answer, their oaths, and
our firm resistance under the protect
ing care OF the Constitution Of the
United States. If we but show our ap
preciation of these principles and man
TEST a determination to stand by them
thew do not dare to interfere with these
rights guaranteed TO US by the Constl'
tuition which they have sworn to sup
port.
But, sir, there IS another phase in
which this subject has been presented
to US here today-an advanced posi-
ton assumed by the advocates Of this
amendment-which | must confess i
was entirely uuprepared for. This
argument is founded upon the assump
ton of the equality of the races. Sir,
think those gentlemen will have some
difficulty in convincing their constItu
ents of the correctness Of this position.
They will have to show that historians
are liars, and history a tissue Of false
hood. But will not insult the good
sense Of the Convention in discussing
this question here. The argument is
not, as suggested by the gentleman
from Brooke, (Mr. Pepdleton) addressed
to the prejudice, but to the reason, and
proven by the stubborn facts OF history
The different races have different incli-
nations which seem to be an inherent
principle of their nature,>which phlloso'
pbers and moralists have as yet been