The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-09-12

or pain the sensibilities Of and class OF
human beings on earth, no matter how
humble; and that few, he believed, in
dulged in feelings OF p%rofounder sym
patty for human woe than he did,
where cases of individual suffering
were presented. But, where public
policy and public justice urged the
performance of any duty upon him, he
felt himself imperiously bound to stiae
the remonstrances of feeling, and to
resign himself to the convictions of
duty. He said that he was perfectly
Convinced that g denial of the right of
suffrage to the free persons OF color
would operate with some degree of
harshness in q few instances; for there
we're some of that unfortunate class
who had singled themselves out from
their associates by their meritorious
and exemplary conduct; but that it
would be an impolitic species OF legis
lation to release the operation Of gen
eral principle for the benefit of a few
individuals. H should conseq lentiy
vote for a total abrogation Of their
right to vote.
He differed entirely with his friend
from Rowan (Mr. Giles in the belief
that the right of suffrage be extended
to persons of this description, for the
purpose Of acting as a stimulus to vir-
tue and to merit. The blessing of free
dom has been usually extended to them
on the same principle, but it was never
contemplated, in admitting them with
IN the circle of liberty, that they were
to enjoy the benefit OF a full political
or social communion with the whites.
The nature of our condition, and the
cast of public sentiment in this coun-
try, raises an impossible barrier to any
such state Of things as this; and, if we
once commence the work Of holding
out to them political privileges, as IN
Indictment TO virtue, we might al we'll
insert some clause in the Constitution
making the highest off OF the coun
try accessible TO them, and providing
that they should have their SPECIAL
representatives in the 6 ate and Fed
eIal Councils.
MIR. Moo Ieen said, it must be ed
mitted by every member on til It floor,
that every government is inve-ssd with
the power of restricting the rights Of
their citizens, where it is for the pub.
lie benefit that they should do so; that
they should, from maxims OF sound
policy withhold certain imrnupities
from one class of citizens which are
extended to another class.
ut has been deemed advisable, in
this country, to render the Presidential
chair inaccessible TO ell parsons Of
foreign birth. The Constitutions Of
some of the States have excluded from
giving testimony in the courts, and
from being elected in lh Sc, those who
disbeIieve il toe existence Of a future
state, on the srourd, thai auch per
soEs, having no faith in that sacred
system OF laws which constitute the
foundation OF oaths, could not be re
lied on in the testimony which they
would render; and, that they were not
fair guardians of the public interest in
any important eff 3e, inasmuch as they
repealed a belief in that religion which
has been uniformly considered the
principle conservatory Of the public
happiness. The Constitution of almost
every State in the Union bGs a
clause inserted in it requiring a resi-
dence of twelve months in the Safe,
from every citizen, before he shall be
entitled to vote. This is for the pur.
pose Of his acquiring such an interest
in the welfare Of the community In
which he resides, as will guide his vote
IN the different elections. No person
under hwen'y II years Of age, in this
country. is allowed to vote, no matte
how highly cultivated his mind, how
sound hI8 s1gment ana now pure his
character, On the ground that the gen
crafty of such persons do not enter,
tain just conceptions of the public in
terests NJ person who is not endowed
with a freehold qualification of fifty
acres OF land, in this State, can vote
for a Senator, and no person not pos
sessed of a freehold of three hundred
ceres is entitled to seat in the Senate.
Tuese r all prohibitions, restrictions
and exclusions, which have been deem
ed essential to the public welfare
wherever they have been adopted.
Now, he agked, where is the monstrous
breach Of justice and humanity in ex
clu3ing free muiattoes from the right
of suffrage, if these res 5rictions are on
the liberty Of white persons be founded