Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-24
THE CONVENTION.


constitutional convention In Richmond
yesterday on negro suffrage was plainly
manifested in the manner by which the
speeches touching this question were
recsived on the floor yesterday.
Mr. O'Flsherty advocated the sub.
m,ssion OF the constitution TO the elec.
tOrate ss at present constituted, and
was listened to attentively, but In ST.
lence. Captain Parks responded and
advocated an abridged electorate, and
be wss applsuded to the echo. He said
that "wheu Thomas Jefferson wrote
that all meu are created equal he never
dreamed OF neg gioes. snail favor the
submission OF the constitution to au
electorate created by this convention,
and to that extent shall vote 10 pro-
claim It,"
This sentiment was received with de-
moustralions OF approval.
Mr.. O'Flaherty, speaking to an
amendment offered by Mr.. Wysor, said
in part:
"The problem of promulgsting or
proc aiming the constitution should be
net now. The advocates of that doc
trine should not be allowed further
time to gain strength. AS a legal propo-
siiiop, l am willing to admit that we
have tbe power to proclaim the consti.
tntior, provided the people approve it.
1 believe there is no sovereign on earth
superior to us, technically speaking
That was why took the position | did
on the oath question. The power OF
the Legislature Is subordinate to that
of this convention. No potentate on
earth has the power OF this convention.
Decisions of the Supreme Court can
not bind as here, for we cen abolish
the Supreme Court Itself, 80 far as our
power goes. l studied constitutional
law under the great legal luminary
John Randolph Tucker, and do not
hesitate to say that neither precedent
nor Supreme Court decisions can bind
or control or restrict our power. But
the question with me is: is it right to
do this thins2 do not believe 1t 10. 1t
is our duty to eliminate from the pres
ent body politlc the rubbish and the
scum and to submit TO 8 proposed cleo
torate for their approval or rejection
this work OF our hands. II is the duty
OF the euffrege committee to select the
representatives of the franchise from all
CLASSES and interests Of the great masses
OF the people. II you submit the
constitution to this electorate you
have public sentiment to oppose
1t, aud this is the o0ly government
of the people, by the people and for the
people. II we proclaim this constitu.
ton we will have dead body, with no
lie and 10 power, because 1t Is not sup
ported by the voice and the hearts OF
the people. They must put the stamp
of their approval upon 1t to give 1t life
or vigor, | love the principles OF
J fferson and | warn you now II you
pro claim this constitution and take
away the privilege Of voting for II from
the white counties OF Virginia you will
see the republican party In power In
this State. Daniel Webster said there
was a power on earth greater than
earthquakes or Whirlwinds, and IL was
the power OF the indignation OF an out
RACED people. Beware, my fellow
colleagues, OF that greatest force on
esrth--ths power of an indignant peo-
ple. Let us word the report Of the bill
OF rights committee: "We, the people,
do propose. instead OF. We. the people,
do ordsiD.
Capt. Parks, the delegate from Page,
follow we'd Mr.. O'Flaherty. He defended
the report made by the committee on
the bill Of rights and opposed the
amendment offered by Mr.. Wysor and
advocated by Mr.. O'Flaherty. He said
the idea of the committee In not recon-
mending q preamble was to avoid rak-
ing in the embers of the psst and re.
yiving flames that should die out. u
yield the palm to no man for devotion
and honor to the fathers OF the old con.
stitu.ions OF Virginia, to the defenders
OF our rights in peace and In war, and
shall teach my children to honor and re.
spect them. 1t is not sacrilege to abar'
don the preamble feature of the constI
tuition. The bill OF rights has been re
ported almost exactly as Mason drew It
and not a change has been made as tt
any principle underlying the iuberen
rights OF man. That is practical senti
msut. The only changes were made
necessary by changed conditions from
the day OF Mason and Jefferson, and j
George Mason were here today hs
would approve Of tbem."
The speaker then reached the ques
ton OF Mr.. Wysor's amendment. HI
said If she new constitution oootsihet
what he hoped 1t would he shoulc
never agree to submit II to the presen
electorate for adoption. When Tnoma!
jefferson wrote sll men are created
equal he referred TO the Aryan rae;
and never dreamed OF negroes. My
old black nanny, at her request, wa
buried by me at the foot OF my mother
grave In our family graveyard, and
have feelings Of charity, and not hate
for the race, but never will l admi
that Africans here or anywhere else or,
EQUALS Of white men 10 governing whit
men, or framing constitutions. ! shal
favor the submission OF the constiIu
ton to an electorate created by thi
convention, and to that extent / shal
vote to proclaim it."
Thronghout his sDeech CAPITAL