Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-09-25
4 Nnano ON rnp nAon rssUn.
an ex-Siave OF Jefferson Davis
Speaks ln the Mississippi COnvcn-


an ex-Siave OF JcafersOn Davis
Speaks ln the Mississippi COnvcn-
ton.
Delegate Montgomery OF the Missis-
sippi constitutional convention, lately
delivered the following eloquent and i'm
pressiva address on the race question IN
the south. He saidi
"Baiore the trust Of becoming a men,
Der Of this honorable body was conferred
upon me by my constituents, l fully
stated to them my earnest conviction that
the work of this convention, IN order TO
be successful, must restrict the franchise
by prescribing such qualification for
voters AZ would reduce the negro vote
considerably below the white vote of the
state. entertained the same opinion
then that hold now, that tina Federal
Congress will interpose no objections
provided such restrictions are honestly
imposed for the purpose OF bringing
about fair solution of the great problem
now confronting this people of this state.n
The speaker went on TO say how much
of the wealth and civilization OF the
south WAS due to the labor OF the coIored
mar He referred to the loyalty of the
negro race to the southern people
throughout the war, and concluded thaL
branch of his subject by saying:
.'It 10 but justice TO my race that I
should recall these affecting memories
upon this floor to-day. My mission here
is TO bridge a chasm that has been widen
ing and deepening for generation; to
divert q maelstrom that threatens desttnu-
tion to you ard yours, while it promises
no enduring prosperity to me and mine.
The fortunes of war tore asunder our re.
Inkg Ir. \ 49, T..
or less degree for two centuries.
1.-THE master and the slave Of yesterday
meet to-day upon the plane of equality,
possessed Of the came rights and pEiyi-
leges under the common law of the land.
Your proud nature rebelled and you
turned from tue scene Ia disgust. At
this juncture IN alien appeared and
olsinod the confidence which people Of
orr condition at that time must need to
place Ia some superior Guiding hand.
Tho alien sought and obtained our con-
fdence but not our Affection. Tint, Mr..
President, would remain with you and
Yu1r3 till the memory of traditions of
former generations shall become oblit-
etaGad. We are we'll aware that our race
has not yet attetned the high plane of
MORAL, Intellectual and political excel
iqncs common to yours, but It is our
privilege to press onward and upward.
1t is the lack Of confidence in any adjust
ment Of our political economy proposed
by You that keeps up the 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 franchise COM
mittee Is the safest measure for the con-
vent.on to adopt The vail comes mp
from thousands Of hearts IL mute appeal
to the convention. This bill will restrict
l24 1874 negro voters end II, $50 white,
giving a net white majority OF 40, 45l.
such believe to be Tie virtual effect Of
the measures reported by the committee.
MIR. President, il is fearful uacrifice laid
upon the altar Of liberty. Many of these
men you seek 10 distranchise know per-
spnRlly. Their hearts are aH true as steel.
Many are soldiers who have stood amidst
the smoke Of battle on bloody fields in
defence Of the flag which every american
proudly halls as the ensign of !rsedom
snd his talisman Of protection in all civil
iz5d lands.
II wish TO say to my people we have
not taken away Your nigh privilege, but
only lifted it to q higher plane and exalted
the station Of the great American birth
right. 1t is due to u'," lie continued,
'that there should be some expression
on tile part Of this great body indicating
that the price 10 correct; that the con
tract ia ratified and accepted that tbs
race problem shall become thing of the
past and not to Vex and glarn. the pablic
that the two great races shall peacefully
travel side by side, each mutually assist
ing the other 70 laount higher and higher
in the scale cf human progress"