The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-09-26
RESTRICTED SUFFRAGE.
Speech Of the COIOred Delegate In tho
Mississippi COnFeaAon.

JAKsoN, Mss, September 3D.
Montgomery, the negro delegate,
addressed the convention today
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 equal TO
John r. Lynch and B. X Bruce.
He said in part:
"Before che trust of becoming a
member of this honorable body
was conferred upon me by my
constituents, | fully stated 10 them
my conviction that the work of
this convention, in order to be
successful, must restrict the fran
chise by prescribing such qualifi-
cations for voters as would reduce
The negro vote considerably below
the white vote of The State. l ell.
tertained the same opinion then
that | hold now. that the Federal
Congress will interpose no objec-
tions, provided such restrictions
are honestly imposed for the pur-
pose of bringing about fair sOlu-
lion OF the great problem now con-
fronting the people of this State"
The speaker went on TO say how
much of the wealth and clviliZa~
ton of the South was due to the
labor Of the colOred man. He re-
ferred 10 the loyalty of the negro
race 10 the Southern people
throughout the war and concluded
that branch oil his subject by say
ing: sit Is but justice TO my race
that | should recall these affecting
memories upon this floor to-day.
My mission here is to bridge the
chasm that has been widening and
deepening for generation to di-
vert the maelstrum that threatens
destruction to you and yours, while
it promises no enduring prosperity
to me and mine. The fortunes of
war tore asunder our relations as
they had existed In greater or less
degree tor two centuries. The
master and slave of yesterday met
to-day upon a plane of equality,
possessed of the same rights and
privileges under the common law
of the land. Your proud nature
rebelled and you turned from the
scene in disgust. At this juncture
an alien appeared and claimed the
confidence which people in our
condition at that time must need
place in some superior guiding
hand. The alien sought and OBJ
tanned our confidence, but not our
affections. That, Mr.. President
would remain with you and yours
| till the memories OF the traditions
of former generations shall become
abliteraled. We are we'll aware
that our race has has not yet at
tanned The high plane of moral,
intellectual and political excel
lence common to yours, but 1t is
our privilege to press onward and
upward. Ii is a lack of confidence
III any adjustment of our political
economy proposed by you that
keeps up race solidity. Without a
restoration OF confidence, | can see
no solution OF this great problem"
The speaker then declared his
belief that the report of the franz
chise committee is the safest meas
ure for the convention to ADOPT.
He continued:
"A wall comes from thousands OF
hearts in mute appeal to the con
ventinn. This bill is TO restrict
124,334 negro voters and 11,SS9
whites, giving net white majority
of 4045l. Such l believe to be
the virtual effect Of the measures
reported by the committee. Mr..
President, il is a fearful sacrifice
laid upon the altar of liberty.
Many of these men you seek to
disfranchise | know personally.
Their hearts are as true as Steel.
Many are soldiers who have stood
amidst the smoke of battle on
bloody fields in defense of the flag
which every American proudly
halls as the ensign of freedom and
the taliSman of protection in all
civilized lands. | wish to say 10
my people, we have not taken
away vour high privilege, but only
lifted il 10 higher plane, and ex-
allied The station of the great
American birthright. II is due us,
that there should be some express
sion on the part of this great body
indicating that the price is correct;
that the contract is ratified and ae-
cepled; that the race problem
shall become a thing Of the past,
and not 10 yex and alarm the pub
lie: that the two great races shall
peacefully travel side 10y side, each
mutually assisting the other TO
mount higher and higher in the
scale of human progress"
One cause assigned by several
,,f,..-s.so,c ouI f1rt, frufcf0 for ha