The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-21
Waggeper, Warth, Wilson

Moffett, McCleary, McCreery, Pendle-
ton, Pipes, Pugh, Smith, SDider, Stump
Thornburg. Ward, Wiley, Woods, Mr.
President-3l.
Mr.. Faulkner then moved to strike
out the words "any white citizen" and
insert mo persons, except citizens;
thus restoring the language OF the
present Constitution in this respect.
Mr.. johnson, of Tyler, Immediately
made an eloquent and highly impas-
stoned speech in opposition to the
amendment proposed. He was in great
earnest; threw his whole soul into the
cause and, for an inpromptu and un'
studied effort, acquitted himself very
handsomely indeed.
He was followed by Mr.. Davenport,
who with equal earnestness and force
strove to combat the ideas advanced by
MIR. johnson, and favored the adoption
of Mr.. Faulkner's amendment. He
thought there was nothing practical in
the question at issue; that there were
very few negroes in the State aud no
one OF them had the ghost Of a chance
OF election to office, and there was there
fore no necessity for their constitutional
exclusion, when that exclusion might
lead to unfortunate results to some at
least OF the white men OF West Virginia.
Colonel Snider, of Monongalia, who
had taken ofense at something said by
Col. johnson, then rose to vindicate the
honor OF the soldiers. He had favored the
disfranchisement of the rebels; he was
a radical; and he was not ashamed Of it
He had done as much to put down the
rebellion as the gentleman from Tyler
had done, and he had been consistent
10 his opinions and his course He had
favored the adoption OF the Flick
amendment. He made no allusion to
the subject under debate.
Mr.. Armstrong then spoke in opposi-
ton to the amendment, and in favor Of
the retention of the word white inserted
by the vote few hours before. He
was followed by Mr.. Raymond, who
favored the amendment, and by Mr..
Martin, who also desired its adoption.
Mr.. johnson, OF Wood, stated that he
had voted for Mr. Bassers motion TO
insert the word white" but subsequent
and more mature reflection had con-
WINGED him OF its inexpediency, and he
would therefore vote for Mr.. Faulkner's
amendment.
Mr.. Osborn, of Jefferson, spoke in
opposition to the amendment; Mr..
Jackson, OF Wood, favored it; Mr..
Travers opposed; Mr.. Byne opposed;
and Mr.. Woods, Of Barbour, favored
its adoption.
These speeches consumed the day,
and, upon the re assembling Of the Con
vention on Saturday morning the de-
bate was resumed Messrs. Fitzhugh,
Pendleton and Faulkner spoke in favor
of the amendment, and Wilson, Basel,
and Johnson, OF Tyler, against, in alter
nate order. About three clock in the
afternoon vote was taken on striking
out the words "any white citizen" (Mr.
Faulkner's motion having been divided)
and resulted as follows:
AYEs-Messrs. Arnett, Atkinson,
Brown, Calfee, Davenport, Dickinson,
Farnsworth, Faulkner, Ferguson, Fitz.
hugh, Raymond, Haynes. Hoge, Jack
son, of Wood, johnson, of Wood,
Kantner, Knight, Martin, Miller, Moi
fet, McCreery, Pannell, Park, Pendle-
ton, Pipes, Pugh, Roberts, Smith, Sni-
der Strickler, Stump, Thornburg,
Wheat, Wiley, Woods, Mr.. President
80.
NoEs-Messrs. Armstrsng, Basel,
Bee, Boggs. Burnside. Byrne, Core, Grim,
Gushing, Terrell, Hall, Holt, Jackson,
of Lewis, johnson, of Tyler, Lurty,
Maslin, Mathews, Monroe, Morgan,
McCleary, Osburn, Pate, Peerce, Prince,
Robinson, Station, Thompson, Travers,
Waggener and Wilson-30.
The motion to insert the words Of the
present Constitution, "No persons ex-
cept citizens" &c, was then adopted
without further debate and in that
shape the report was sent to the revis-
ing committee.
I have selected for publication from
the notes at hand the speeches made
by Mr.. Travers, of Jefferson, agans:
the amendment; Mr.. FItzhugh, in its
favor; Mr.. Wilson, against; Mr.. Pen
dleton and Mr.. Faulkner in its support;
and the closing speech OF Mr.. johnson.
of Tyler, against its adoption. These
speeches will serve to chow the line OF
argument employed on each side and
the reasons that were adduced tor the
votes cast upon the subject. | send
them detached from this letter in order
that you may publish as you may find
room for their insertion. In selecting
these | mean to make no invidous dis.
tincton. The debate was throughout
marked with unusual ability and elo-
quence. Mr.. Price remarked to me at
its close that in all his experience in
deliberative bodies he had never heard
an ADLER or more eloquent discussion.
Each speaker upon the question ex-
pressed his convictions with great clear
ness and force and each seemed to tie
conscientiously laboring for what he
believed to be the, right. 1t was the
finest struggle OF mind with mind that
has vet occurred in the Convention and
will be long remembered by all who
heard it. the lobby and galleries were
well filled during the greater portion Of
the time and an unusual degree Of
interest was manifested in the discussion
by the citizens Of the place. Mr.. Fltz-
hugh's speech created especial remark.
l III ~ Nhnh ra, act
and most gallant soldiers that entered
the Confederate army from this State.
He was one of the leading spirits OF
Jenkins famous Brigade Of light troop
ers, and has made a record for personal
bravery and fearless devotion to any
cause in which his heart is enlisted that
is above reproach. His bold and indie
pendent nature is manifested in the line
OF argument he used and, assuming his