The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-09-17
A REMARKABLE SPEECH
Delivered In tho otiA.lsAippl ConStitu.
tiOnhl Convention by n Coiorsh nlun.

I
t'onhi Convention by n Coiorsd Man.
JACKSON, Miss, Sept. l6.-Mr. Mont.
gomery. the negro delegate, addressed
tho Constitutional Convention in aup.
port Of the committee report, and proved
himself by far the ablest man OF his race
who has achieved prominence in this
State for years, being easily tho equal Of
John Il. Lynch and B. X. Bruce.
He said, In part: before tho trust Of
becoming member Of this honorable
body was conferred upon me by my
constituents fully stated to them nv
earnest conviction that the work Of this
convention, in order TO be successful,
must restrict the franchise by prescrib.
Ing such qualification for voters as would
reduce the negro vote considerably be.
low the white vote OF tho State. I en-.
terlained tho same opinion then that
hold now, that the Federal Congress will
iaterpose no objection provided such re-
Btrietions are honestly imposed for the
purpose Of bringing about fair solution
Of great problem confronting the people
Of this State"
The speaker went on to say bow
much OF the wealth and civilization Of
the South was due to the labor OF the
cofored man. ne referred to the loyal.
ty OF tho negro race to tho Southern
people throughout the war, and con-
cluded that branch Of his subject by say.
ing: at Is but justice to my race that
| should recall these affecting memories
upon this door today. My mission
here is to bridge chasm that has been
widening and deepening for genera-
ton; to divert maelstrotn that threat
ems destruction to You and yours, wh,lo
1t promises no enduring prosperity TO
me and mine. The fortunes Of war tore
asunder our relations as they had ex.
listed lin greater or less degree) for two
centuries. The master and the slave OF
yesterday meet to-day on the plane OF
equality, possessed Of the same
rights aud privileges under tho CON.
mon law Of the land Tonr proud
nature rebeled, and you turned from
the scene in disgust. At this juncture
an alien Appeared and claimed the cou.
Gdence which people Of our condition
ut that time must need to place in soule
superior guiding hand. The alien sought
and obtained our confidence, but not
our affections. That, Mr.. President,
would remain with you aud yours till
the memories and traditions OF former
generations shall become obfiterated.
We are well aware thu. our race has not
yet obtained the high plane Of moral,
intellectual and political excellence com.
mon toyours, but it is our privilege to
press onward aud upward. II is the lack
OF confidence in any adjustment OF our
political economy proposed by you that
keeps up the race solidity. Without
restoration Of confidence I can see no
solution to this gfeas problem"
The speaker then declared his belief
that the report Of the Franchise Com
mittce is the safest measure for the Cou.
veution to adopt.
"The wall comes up from thousands Of
hearts in mute appeal to the Convcn-
ton This bill will restrict l2i ,33i negro
voters and II, $50 white, giving a net
white majority OF 40.45l. Such l believe
to be the virtual effect Of the utasure
tcpOlteu Oy luc Cuullultlee. 4l. ieaA'
dent, it is Il fearful sacrifice laid upon
the altar OF liberty. Many Of these men
you seek to disiranchise know person.
ally. Their hearts are as true US steel.
Many are soldiers who have stood amidst
the smoke Of battle on bloody fields in
defense OF the tisg which every Ameri.
can proudly bails as tho ensign Of free.
dom, and his taIisman Of protection in al
civilized lands. | wish 10 say to my
people, we have not taken away your
high privilege, but only lifted it TO a
bis gher plane, and exalted the station Of
the great American birthrlghs.
ut is due 10 u.s." he continued. "that
there should be some expression on the
part OF this great body indicating that
the price is adequate; that the contract
is ratified and accepted; that the race
problem shall become thing OF the
mast, and MOTTO alarm and vex the pub.
lic; that the two great races shall peace.
fully travel side by side, each mutually
assisting tbs other TO mount higher and
higher in the scale OF human progress"