The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-09-25
A NEGRO ON THE RACE ISSUE.
An Ex-SlaVe of Jefferson Davis
Speaks In the Mississippi Con.
Ventlon.

delegate Montgomery, of the Missis-
sippi Constitutional Convention, late
ly delivered the following eloquent
and impressive address on the race
question in the South. He said;
"Beiore the trust of becoming n
member Of this honorable body was
conferred upon me by my constituents,
| fully sta ed to them my earnest con-
vlctions that the work of this conven'
tion, in order to be successful, must
restrict the franchise 10y prescr bing
such qualifications for voters as would
reduce the negro vote considerably
below the white vote of the State.
entertain the same opinion that |
hold now, that the Federal Congress
will interpose no objections, provided
such restrictions are honestly imposed
for the purpose of bringing about a fair
solution Of the great problem now
confronting the people Of this State"
The speaker went on to say how
much OF the wealth and civilization
OF the South was due to the labor Of
the colored man. He referred to the
loyalty OF the negro race to the South.
ern people throughout the war, and
concluded that branch OF his subject
by saying
at is but justice to my race that |
should recall these affecting memories
upon this floor to-day. My mission
here ia to bridge a chasm that has
been widening and deepening for
generation; to divert mealstrom
that threatens destruction to you and
yours, while it promises no enduring
prosperity to me and mine. The for
tunes Of the war tore asund,r our re.
lations as they have existed in a
greater or less degree for two CEN
turies.
"The master and the slave of yes
terday meet to-day upon the plane OF
equality, possessed Of the same rights
and privileges under the common law
OF the land. Your proud nature re-
belled and you turned from the sceh
in disgust. At this juncture an alien
appeared and claimed the confidence
which people OF our condition at
that time must need to place m some
superior guiding hand. The alien
sought and obtained our confidence,
but not our affections. That, Mr..
President, would remain with you and
yours till the memory OF traditions
OF former generations shall become
obliteraled. We are we'll aware that
our race has not yet attained the high
plane of moral, intellectual and politi-
cal excellence common to yours,
but it is our privilege to press on
ward and upward. 1t IS the lack oi
confidence in any adjustment Of our
political economy proposed by you
that keeps up the race s0lidity. With
out restoration Of confidence ! ian
see no solution of this great problem
"The speaker then declared his be
lie. that the report OF the franchise
committee is the safest measure lol
the convention to adopt The wal
comes up from thousands OF hearts in
mute appeal to the convention. This
bill will restrict 124,334 negro voters
and II ,S89 white, giving a net white
: majority of 40,451. Such believe t.
be the virtual effect Of the measurc
reported by the committee. Mr.
President, it is II fearful sacrifice laiC
upon the altar OF liberty. Many o
these men you seek to dsfranchis
/ know personally. Their hearts sr
i, as true as steel. Many are soldier
who have stood amidst the smoke @
/. battle on bloody fields in defense G
- the flag which every American proud
= ly halls as the ensign of freedom an,
i his talsman of protection in all civil
' iZed lands.
: II wish to say to my people we hav
: not taken away your high privilege
. but only lifted it to higher plan
p" and exalted the station OF the grea
" T, American birthright. 1t is due to us,
y he continued, "that there should /
" some expression on the part of. tn
great body indicating that the price
- correct; that the contract is rattle
and accepted that the race problel
!" shall become thing OF the past an
not to vex and alarm the public; thu
" the two great paces shall PEACEFUL
travel side by side, mutually assistin
the other to mount higher and hight
= in the scale of human progress"
n Before and After Using.
At one time | had awful sores an
pimples on my face, and after usir