The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-19

We have had a day Of very interest
ing debate and considerable important
progress in the Convention. Upon the
assembling OF the Convention this
morning, the resolution offered by Mr..
Basel yesterday afternoon, providing
for the insertion of the word white"
among the qualifications for holding
office, was taken upas unfinished bust
ness
Mr.. Fauikner-There can be no
difficulty in determining the relations Of
the State to the Federal Government
so far a. the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments are concerned. They de-
clare who are citizens, and deprive the
States Of any power to take away the
privileges and immunities" Of citizens.
These words relate solely to civil rights,
and it would be in the power Of this
Constitutional Convention to exclude
almost all colored men from voting by
prescribing an educational or property
qualification. There is nothing in the
fourteenth or fifteenth amendment that
can prevent West Virginia from exclud-
ing colored citizens from holding office,
There being then no question as to the
power Of the Convention in relation to
the matter, it was purely a question Of
expedieucy.
He then proceeded to show that the
colored population OF the State was
insignificant and no practical good
would follow their exclusion. Even
General Grant at the head OF his army
could scarcely force the election OF a
negro to office in any county in the
State. He deprecated the introduction
Of such provision in the Constitution
because it would array against its
adoption the entire Republican vote Of
the State and also array against It the
avn pathies of a large portion of the
Union. He thought that there was 70
practical good to be accomplished and
no practical evil to be redressei by the
adoption Of the discrimination.
Mr.. Brown wished to define his posi-
ton. lie had consented with great re-
luctance to the emanci patton and the
$50 called) elevation Of the blacks, and
IF he now could he would take from
them the political power they have
until they gave better evidence OF
qualification. But he thought the in
tro iuc,ion of the word white among
the qualifications for holding office was
entirely unnecessary. No negro could
ever be elected to office in any county
in West Virginia and he thought 1t
useIsss to make the amendment In
question. He would therefore vote
against the motion.
Mr.. Monroe looked upon the matter
as one of grave importance. He had
no unkind feelings for the negro, but
| he wanted him kept in place OF inter
iority. He feared that political eqnal-
ity would lead to social equality which
was to be deprecated Distinctions IN
condition, powers, duties and privileges
had been ordained by the Creator and
had existed ever since the creation OF
the world and he thought it wrong to
attempt to break them down. He
thought it quite possible, nay, even
probable, that the negroes, holding the
balance of power in several counties OF
the State, might insist upon the election
O, negroes to office. He appealed to
the Convention to maintain the honor
purity AMI dignity OF the Caucasian
race.
Mr.. Iavmond desired further time
to examine the subject and determine
whether the proposed amendment was
in violation OF the Constitution OF the
United States, or any OF the acts made
in pursuance thereof. Some OF the
most distinguished members OF the
Convention where under political d'sa-
bilities, and, that time might be given
for considering the subject in all It's
bearings, he moved to pass over the Sec
ton and amendment for the present.
His motion was adopted by the Con
vention, and the further consideration
of the subject postponed.
The consideration OF the report oil the
Committee of the Whole on the Bill OF
Rights, Nc, was then resumed.
Mr. Ward proposed to amend the first
section OF the first article by causing it
to declare that THE State Of West Nir-
gipia shall constitute one OF the States
Of the American Union" He sup
ported his amendment by an elaborate
and highly polished speech. The Con-
yention listened to him with great
interest. 1t was one OF the most elo-
ouent orations | have yet heard in this
body. The rhetoric was smooth and
eyery sentence generously and POLITICALLY
rounded. | was not convinced by his
argument that his amendment was
better than the language OF the report
which he sought to amend, but | was
much charmed by the eloquent manner
in which he presented his views. He
has promised me- brief Of his speech
and | hope to have the pleasure OF
seeing it in the REGISTER.
One Of his figures seemed to ME pecu-
lisrly appropriate and well chosen. 10
definng the relations existing between
the States and the General Government,
he likeuei the American Republic to
the solar system. The planets in their
course around the central sun are held
in their orbits by two mighty forces
The centrifugal force tends constantly
to drive them into illimitable space.
aud the centripetal force is seeking
constantly to draw them to ruin in the
common centre. The sun Of our gov
ornamental system is the Federal Gov
eminent, and the planets are the indi-
vidual States. The powers granted by
the States in the National Constitution