Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-07


colored man knew the more inclined he
was TO vote the Democratic ticket.
Mr. Allen suggested that preachers
know more than lsynnen. and that they
advised their people to vote the Repuo-
lican ticket.
Mr.. O'Ferrall replied that the gentle.
man did not understand the condition OF
affairs down South. All the leaders the
colored people had there-white or col
ored-were Office seekers, and that was
why they we're Republicans. They over
awed the colored people. II freedom
meant liberty Of thought, Of action. and
OF opinion the colored men OF the South
were as abject slaves to preachers as
they bad been the day when Lincoln,
with n hesllAting hand, signed the
emancipation proclamation. II free
dom meant the full rights oil
citizens, then the colored men OF the
South by the domination Of members OF
their race had been deprived of the
sweets OF freedom. 1t wasttime that the
Democratic party should take a stand
and sustain and support and uphold
the colored men in their right to vote
as they pleased. [Applause.] There
was a colored man in the employ OF the
House whose house had been burned
down by men of his own race because
be voted the Democratic ticket IN Vir-
ginia.
Mr.. Kerr. Of Iowa, inquired where the
gentleman learned that Lincoln signed
the emancipation proclamation with
hesitation.
Mr.. OFerrall replied that he learned
it from history. There was a painting
on the walls OF the Capitol, the propri-
ETY. of hanging which had been ques-
toned by some. He was glad it was
here to perpetuate historical event and
scene. He referred to the painting OF
the signing Of the emancipation procla-
nation by that good man whose tragic
death had been a terrible calamity to
the whole country. The deep thought
that there rested upon his features, the
anxiety upon his brow, the dishevelled
hair, told that the fire was burning with
a fervent glow within his brain, while
the pen in his hand was hesitating to
sign the immortal name of Lincoln.
MIR. Boutelie, of Maine Does
the gentleman pretend to say that
the line of Lincoln, as portray
ed at the critical period of his
career when engaged in performing the
grandest duty, was hesitating? / tell
the gentleman that he was too unfortu.
nately situated to know the history of
bis country at that time.
Mr.. O'Eerrall Such language as that
coming from that gentleman, who never
loses an opportunity to use it, is not the
language OF brave man. Ihave always
been taught that it was cowardly to cuff
a fallen foe. They are towards only who
do it; not brave men. Applause on the
Democratic side.
Mr.. Boutelie Allow me to say
Mr.. O'Ferrall: | do not yield you
can take your own time
Mr.. BOutelle: / will take my own
time.
Mr.. OFerrall; And L will take my
time after you.
Mr.. Boutelle: That is the bravery to
which you allude. Applause on the
hepuDilcan hlut.
Mr.. O'Ferrall: Well, sii, it is the
right kind of bravery; you may bet
your bottom dollar on that.
Mr.. HOuk, of Tennessee, twitted Mr..
OFerrall upon the fact that notwith-
standing his assertion that the southern
negroes voted the Democratic ticket, the
Democratic majority in Virginia had
dwindled until it had almost ceased to
exist. and OF the Virginia delegation the
majority are Republicans.
After further debate by Mr.. Butter
worth in favor of the minority report,
and by Me,srs. Moore of Texas, Jones OF
Alabama. and Wheeler G. Alabama in
favor of the claims of the sitting member
the discussion was closed by MIR. Crisp,
who touched upon the question of the
negro vote, and declared that IN the
South that vote was being cast for the
nominees Of the Democratic party. But
forthe miserable carpet baggers who went
South to prey upon the poverty stricken
people there would never have been any
division between the people of the South
and their former slaves. But the colored
people now knew that their interests
were .he same az those of the white peo-
pie among whom they lived, and they
would no longer be misled by the
threats of Republican leaders.
The minority resolution declaring Nc
Dufiie entitled to the seat was rejected
yeas 122, nays 144-and the majority
resolution declaring the sitting member
entitled to his seat was adopted without
division.
Adjourned.