The Washington bee., 1901-09-07
THE NEGRO CONDEMNED.
UNFIT FOR THE BALLOT SAYS
AYERS.
The Negre not Appreciative-HiS Freedom A
nOckery and Declared Unconstitutional

In the Constitutional Convention at
Richmond, Va, September ?. Cen
eral Ayers a moss back democrat got
the floor and as soon as the conven-
ton went into committee of the whols
to consider the report on the pream-
bic and bill of rights, Mr. Ayers was
recognized and proceeded to make a
strong speech in favor of the submis-
sion of the constitution TO an abridged
electorate. The speech of the attor-
ney general was especially interesting,
because Of the bold manner in which
he dealt with the race question and
the subject of slavery. He prefaced
/ this by expressing his friendly feeling
/ for the negro, and declaring that he
would do nothing TO deprive them Of
! full justice before the law in the pro-
lection of their civil rights.
"If there is anything in the history
| of the conduct of the colored race
since the war that reflects upon their
capacity to take part IN govern
ment," said Mr.. Ayers, THAT history
! has been written by themselves, and
rewritten in characters and acts that
| cannot be misTead.
Il want to say that our people were
/ not responsible for slavery. Virginia
was the first among Southern States
| to protest against slavery and attempt
to put an end TO it. Ii was originally
/ forced upon us"
Mr.. Ayers had the reconstruction act
/ read by the clerk, and continuing, said
/ that in addition TO this, another act
was passed in 1867 10 further Tivet and
/ fasten, disfranchisementupOn the best
element of Virginia manhood. He de
Clared that the Supreme Court of the
| United States had never decided that
/ the reconstruction acts were cOnStitu-
tional. but had on every occasion IN
which that question was presented
refused TO pass an opinion on it. He
said that TO the conservative party Of
/ Virginia afterth war was largely due
the escape Virginia made from the
reign of laWlesSness and bloodshed
that almost destroyed the property
and governments of other Southern
/ States.
He said the membership of the con-
stitutiOnal Covention of 1868 was made
/ up Of men from almost every State in
/ the Union, and had members from
Nova Scotia, ireland, England; and
/ Canada, that the flower of Virginia
manhood was disfranchised from
! occupying seats in the convention or
voting for delegates thereto, and read
| a long list Of classes of officers and
citizens prohibited from voting by the
cali for the convention.
NEGROES OPPOSED BENEFICIAL
MEASURES.
"Negroes were instigated to oppose
every measure proposed by the best
men of Virginia, Mr.. Ayers Continu-
ed with warmth. They were taken
from the farms and made beneficiary
to the Freedman Bureau. | remem-
Der we'll when the citizens of Rich
mold were compelled to keep nightly
vigils 10 protect their loved ones from
| crime, brought about by the presence
of negro policemen placed in charge
of this order of the city. ! remember
well the resolution we all formed here
to protect our loved ones or die in the
attempt.
THE chivalry of Virginia could not
vote, but their desperate determina-
ton and their influence was sufficient
to defeat the two most obnoxious Of
the povisiOns Of that instrument.
"The solid phalanx of the negroes; /;
the bush whaCkers, jay hawkers,
sCallawages, and carpet baggers
sought by every means in their power
to pass those infamous provisions.
The white people of Virginia were
under the compulsion Of Congress or
they never would have voted for it
those who could vote.
"At best the vote upon that con
stitution was a restricted electorate.
And now, when an opportunity is
offered US TO correct this evil / con 70
tend that there is no legal or moral
responsibility upon US to submit the
present constitution TO the negroes Of
Virginia for them to say that the illegal
acts Of 1865 to 1869 shall be forever
indorsed by the State Of Virginia.
HAS NOT BENEFITED HIMsFLF
"Has the negro shown to-day any
disposition to profit by all what we
have done by school and other taxes
for his benefit TO raise him TO an in
telligent exercise Of the duties Of citi-
zenship? The answer is that three
times he has voted in solid phalanx
against any proposition that has been
made to improve the conditions Of
Virginia by means Of a constitutional
convention.
"Mr. Chairman, to correct this
wrong done heretofore, | believe we
should incorporate in the organic law
a provision that will clarity the poll
ticial atmosphere ofthis State, and for
that purpose | shall vote to submit
this constitution to an abridged cleo
torate. | would grant 10 all persons
of fair character who understand the
duties of government the right 10 vote,
| would not require poll tax, prop
erty, or other educational quslifica-
ton. would provide board of three
to determine on application for regis
tration who met these qualifications
81 would have those men selects
because of their high and irreproacha'