The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-20
INTERMARRIAGE AMONG RACES.
william Watson WoOlIen Denouncez
Statutes on that Subject.

At a meeting of the Booker T. Washing
ton Literary Society, held in the A. NJ. +.
Chapel last night. William Watson Woollen,
attorney, read an interesting paper relative
to the laws of this State prohibiting inter-
marriage between whites and blacks. In in
PRODUCING the speaker, W. Allison Sweeney,
president Of the society. referred to the fact
that it was well known that Mr.. Woollen
had always been a friend of the negro, and
had done much, in a quiet way. towards
leveling unjust ~prejudices that existed
towards the race. Mr.. Woollen expressed
his belief that the present black laws
were a relic of barbarism that ought to be
abolished. The law preventing intermar-
riages was passed soon after the constitu-
tional convention, together with a number
of other odius measures that have since
been abolished, notably the statute which
disqualified negroes from testifying in court.
In part, Mr.. Woollen said:
Yesterday morning 1 received an invita-
ton from your president, saying that this
society desired from me an expression of
my ideas and views relative to the wisdom,
justice and necessity of the Indiana laws
prohibiting the i-ntermarriage of blacks and
whites The request was TO me a surprise
mot because of its,importance, but because
I thought 1t was well understood in this
community what my views are in relation
to laws which discriminate against a people
because of their color. Since my earliest
recollection | have believed in the equality
portunity offered denounced oppression, and
now, in the after part of life, l have no
cause to change the convictions thus formed
and advocated.
Three words full of meaning occur in
the request; hat is TO say the wisdom
hibiting the intermarriage of blacks and
whites. Certainty of enforcement is essen
No criminal law Is wise which can he
evaded. The law under consideration is of
this character: II is prohibitory in its char
acter. 1t forbids marriage between white
persons and persons having one-eighth. or
more negro blood. But there is no law
which forbids such persons from going
without the jurisdiction OF the State and
getting married and then returning into this
State as citizens. The result Is that the
law is constantly evaded. Thus we have the
statutes. and It is a dead letter and mop
erative. There. can be no wisdom in this
Continuing, Mr.. Woollen said that the
law had been upheld by the Supreme Court
| of this State, Judge Samuel H. Buskirk de-
lvering the opinion OF the court; After
writing a sixteen-page decision, the judge
said: Under the police powers possessed by
| the State, they 0he legislators) undoubtedly
have the power to pass such laws; The peo,
opposed to the ntermarriage OF races and
all amalgamations." 1T is at once OBJ
is founded upon a f~alsehood. The people of
this State have never declared that they
are opposed to the intermarraige of races
State may intermarry with every other race
on the face of the globe except negroes.
This fact brings prominently 10 view the
| special class legislation, and that is con-
trary 10 the principles and Constitution of
Constitution 5as siaiei II th ,s e ALI laws Shall be general
and of uniform operation throughout the
State Yet here we have a law that is
| special class of citizens. We ave already
shown that the law IS a prohibitory law
which does not prohibit, ana that conse.
further argument, as ii seems TO me,
proves that the law is unnecessary.
Many black laws which existed in this
| State nave been wiped out. Why? Be
cause they were not in harmony with the
institutions and civilization or this coun-
try. and were unnecessary. History has
demonstrated that the two races can live
together, be educated together and ac-
corded equal privileges without degrading
either. And so II will be when the inter-
marriage law has been repealed: and that
1t will be repealed il just as certain as il
Is that in the end right Will prevail states
all that goes to make OF them great and
good States, they are the peers of this
want of necessity for such laws.
1.-THE very foundation OF all these laws
was the deep-seated theory that the negro
was an inferior creature. L am glad I
| have lived long enough to see this theory
| exploded. The lives OF Frederick Douglas,
Booker T. washington and a thousand 9TH
as a lie. No people in the world. under
like circumstances. have shown such a
wonderful capacity for advancement
What, then, is the duty OF the hour? The
answer is, to wipe from the statutes of
this State the laws which are and which
have been a disgrace TO the State. The
colored men of the State ought to organ
lie and vote as one man for members Of
the next General Assembly who will stand
pledged TO vote for the repeal OF these
laws. The balance or power Is with you,
ard you owe il 70 your race and 10 our
State TO see that IL is done
Owing TO the extremely cold weather,
the turnout last night was not SO large
as had been expected. and discussions of
the paper were POSTPONED until the next
meeting, which will be held in the chapel
at the corner OF Blackboard and North
streets upon Friday night OF next week.
Mr.. Woollen will be present and lead in
the discussion. President Sweenie read a
letter from Booker T. Washington, presi-
dent OF the Tuskegee University, thank
ing the society for having honored him by
| adopting his name.