Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-17
THE ONLY Method
BY Which the ChaSm in MiSSls-
sippi Can BE Bridgsd.
A Remarkable Speech from
Colored Delegate

To the constitutional Convention--An
Eloquent and Pathetic Acknowledge
ment of the Relations OF the Races in
the Bayou state--White Domination
the solution OF the Problem,
JACKSON, Miss, Sept. 1;,--Mr. Mont
gomery, the negro delegate, addressed
the constitutional convention Monday
in support 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 the
equal of John Il. Lynch and d. X.
Bruce.
He said, in part Before the trust of
becoming member of this honorable
Lody was conferred upon me by my
constituents fully stated to them my
earnest conviction that the work Of this
convention, III order to be successful,
must restrict the franchise by presclib-
ing such qualification for voters rs
would reduce the negro vote consider
ably lelow the white vote Of the state.
l entertained the same opinion then that
hold now, that the Federal congress
will inlerpCse no objection provided
for the lurpo G Of bringing about Il fair
solution Of the great problem confront
ing the people OF this state.
Ihe speaAer went on ray how much
If the wealth and civilization Of the
south WAS due to the labor of the col
ored man. He referred TO the loyalty
OF the negro race 10 the southern people
Throughout the war, and concluded that
braucn OF his subject 10y saying
1t Is bat justice to nay race that
shOuld recall lh $50 aifectiag memories
upon this toor to-day, My mission here
is to bridge u chlsn that has been
widening AMI deel enIng for II genera
ton; to ttlvert a maelstiom that threat
ems dies ractlol to you and yours, while
it mumi e3 no eAduling prosperity to
me and mine. The fJrtu les OF war tore
asunder our relations rs they had exist
cd til a greater OF less degree for two
celtuiies. The master ald the slave of
yesterday meet to-day upon the plane of
e lualiiy, possess4l of the same rights
itAd rWilegej uadct the comllon law
of the lana, Your proud nature re-
bel4ed, and You turned from the scene
il disgust.
AT this juncture an alien appeaa2l
and ella med the confidence which Il
peoll le of our condition at that time
must need to place in some superior
guiding hald. That aliel sought and
Obt4lued our confidence, bus not our
affections. That. Mr.. PRESIDENT, would
lemain with you aud y ours till the
III malnuries aud traditions of former gem
eratiJls shall become o)litera cd. We
are aware that our race has not yet OBJ
tanned that high plano of moral. intel
To yours, but il Is our privilege to press
onward and upward 1t is the lack Of
confidence in any adj istment IF our po-
litical economy proposed by yon that
keeps up the race Golidity, Without
1esto ation of confidence | can see no
solution of this great proOlom."
The speaker then declared his belief
that the report Of the franchise commit.
tee is the safest measure for the con-
vCntion TO adopt
The wall comes up from thousands
of hearts in mute appeal to tle conven-
tion This bill will restrict l24,3;l me-
gro voters and 1889 white, giving u
net white majo lily of 40, ,45i. Such /
believe to be the virtual efe Of the
measure reported by the committee,
MIR. President. it is a fearful sacrifice
laid upon the altar Of liberty Many Of
these men you seek to disfranchise |
know personally 4neir hearts are as
true rs steel. Many are soldiers who
have stood amidst The smoke of battle
on. bloody fields in defense OF the flag
which every American proEdly bails as
the ensign of freedom, and is Ia i5man
of protection in all civilized lands |
wish to say to my people, we have not
taken away your high privilege. but
only lifted it to higher plane, and ex-
ted the station Of the great American
birihright.
at is due to us, he continued, shat
their 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 should become thing Of the
past. and not TO vex and alarm the pub
lie; that the two great races shall pence
fully travel side ly side, each mutually
as listing the other to mount higher
and higher in The scale Of human prog
ress.