The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-23

Our views of the negros relations to tn
BODY polite were formed. when be ex,
listed among US q slave-he is now free
when he was unfrauchised, be 10 now
voter; when he was not our equal
before the lax, now his civil rights
privileges, and immunities are com
mensurate with ours. and cannot o.
denied or ABRIDGED. Do not thes'
changes in his polit cal relations take al
rational foundation from under oul
p.ejudices, and should not the prejudlc'
tal! ? Surely, sir. it We are 10 make
prejudice a Justification Of a C1nsti
tutlonal or even q legal prohibition
against the right of Office, We are
estopped from complaint against al
prescription OF power. This Democratic
Convention might have prejudice
enough to exclude from the right o
office all Republicans, rs our Fedora
Government still che-ishes enough u
exclude all Rebels. 1t is in our power
to set nobler example, and trust tina
our patriotism may mount with &C
casion," and show the world that being
Tree, We can also be just.
l have now, Mr.. President, consider
ed at sufficient length objections which
have been or may be addaced against
the continuance to the negro Of
of the rights o. Office under the
Constitution Of West Virginia. Let
me ask the attention OF the Conven
lion to the consideration OF some OF the
reasons why he should not be excluded
for it is only by proper balancing Of
the arguments on both sides that we can
form q just conclusion.
First, then, let me say, sir, this pro-
scription is totally unnecessary. II
among a common class OF voters, some
are to be excluded from office. whilst
Others are admitted. have | not estab-
lished the principle that the exception
demands a reason. adequate to justify
til admit that under the broad and
paramount right Of self-preservstion, 1t
is allowable to make such distinction.
but the necessity must be il moi I'M
questioned, at least evident Now, sr,
who can pretend that the safety or
welfare OF the State requires so undem-
ocra,ic and unequal q rule as this ?
The gentleman from Berkeley Mr.
Faulkner) has proved to US by an
exhaustive reference 10 the statistics OF
The counties, that there is scarcely the
possibility OF a case arising IN any
county in the Slate-or il IN any case,
only Tor tie most Insignificant o; offices
in which a negro can be elected. |
will no, go over whs; was made 30 in
controverli!'ly plain
> Not ouly is i; unnecessary Tor the
public welfare, but it woIld be posi-
lively injur ouI-because II tends TO
keep up a Hostility IF races. Justice and
political equality are the great harmon
rzing power Of society. They not only
take away al Just ground OF dlssarls'
faction aud Complaint, but they constr
tute the reliable foundation for the per
maEencc an! pea e Of society. Blu,
this unequal discrimination against a
class or Il race. IN whom, in proportion
to their numbers, We acknowledge the
powers Of government 10 reside, and
who have Tue right OF exercising that
power through the ballot box, cannot
tail to perpetuate feeling OF bitter AMI
relentless host lily against the political
party, that afflicts it. No matter what
may lie the wisdom Of your pOlicy,-no
matter how just and beneticent your
party platform may be,-the feeling OF
against race brand, mark
Of infamy, which is put upon the white
man for nothing less than felony, will
every other consideration,
embitter every other feeling, and fix and
consolidate against you, at once and for
ever, the entire negro vote OF the State.
You will know it and feel it in advance,
and can have neither heart nor hope 10
ask or to work tor their suffrage, in any
political canvass Sir, ask gentlemen
10 pau.e and consider well, be'ore they
throw down this apple Of discord, that
sir, that must he the source
Of erpe,utl and ever recurring strife
all over the State The spirit OF our
Tree institutions moves every heart with
a sentiment aga mt 1.-THE dictates Of
sound prlicy pronounce t unwisp,-and
he experience OF the future will fill us
with incurable regret, that we have
fixed i, in The Constitution beyond the
power Of -epral. Sir, let it not he too
hastily assumed. that this vote is already
fixed beyond the hope OF change. AVOID
this fatal step, and yOu leave the negro
free to obey the influence, that truth
and justice and wise measures must
ever exert upon all men, and open 10
the approaches and arguments OF all
parties alike. He will soon take his
place, not as a politically branded negro,
but as a free voter,-and cast his ballot
for the man or the party, that deserves
his confidence, and proves to be his
friend. 1t will make him better ciii-
zen, relieve the tody polite OF dis
cordaut element, hostile u its welfare,
and educe from partial evil, universal
good.
3. Sir, how, let me inquire, will the
prescription place US in the
ssterhooi OF States Will it not
Isolate US from the general example,
set US 10 the Constitutions OF other
States ? What State, since the eleva,
ton OF the negro to the right Of suffrage
has incorporated in it, Constitution a
prescription against him like this?
From Maine to Texas, from Oregon TO
all along the dIagonals, and
up and down and across the sides OF the
vast parallelagram, that makes up our
almost Continental dominion, this nigh.
is now recognized, and shall We, here in
West Virginia, stand alone marked
and known by the notoriety Of a
deliberate and seli-inposed restriction
mon our own freedom. a. 10 the persons