The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-18

planted into our DosomS by nigner power than man himself. It Is this race instinct, this race prejudice, if you please, which has preserved the purity and integrity of each race and preyent- ed that assimilation and 4debasement, the very contemplation of which flas our minds with horr6ryand repugnance Now, when you put the uniform of the State upon the soldier, you incite in his mind aspirations for social equal ity; you endeavor to elevate him to the position which God and the laws of man never intended he should occupy. viz, that of social equality with the white and superior race. I saw an H. lustration in Washington, where the negro officer of the day was in charge and the Southern soldier refused to doff his cap in reverence at the pres ence of, the negro who wore, the uni form of the Government, and he was courtmartialed for it, and the Southern man said: "All coons seem alike to me-" Mir. President, the races of men are the markers of Gods will. This race feeling was implanted in our bosoms by God himself. The white people have overned this country in times of peace. They have fought it's battles and car ried its banner in triumph in days of war, and they are still prepared to
 
 war. We do not want to put the negro in a position he cannot occupy. We do not want to break down race barriers. We do not want to elevate him to a position which will degrade and hu- initiate that race which proposes for ever to dominate and control in this State. Now, Mir. President, why should we hesitate? They say we may of- fend the sentiments of the North, and that we may lose money by it. l am willing to do what I think is right in this matter, .'unawed by power and 'un- bribed by gain" I care not what the sentiment of the North may be. We have this problem to deal with. We, ourselves, propose to deal with 1t justly so that the negro will be protected Tn his rights of person and property In the courts and before the law. but we do not propose to deal with 1t so the negro can wear the uniform Of the proud Commonwealth of Alabama, and be put on social equality with the white soldiers of this State. Take the l0th regiment. They did brilliant service at the battle of Santiago, and yet when they were retired and were brought back to the United States and were sent to Huntsville for encampment. what was the very first act? Before they disembarked from the cars, their first act was to fire into a guard around a saloon, and it cost seven or eight lives. This was an act of lawlessness and insubordination, and the result was that General Wheeler, who was ID charge of the camp, sent them four miles into the country and never ai- lowed them to come to Huntsville ex- cept by special permit. That shows the character of the negro race. when you put the uniform on him, you say to him, you are as good as the white man: you wear the uniform Of the Gov. ernment and of the State; and tell you. MT. President, that the sentiment even of the great Republican party, and I have heard it stated, that even MT. Mckinley himself said he believed that A great mistake had been made Tn call ing upon the negro troops to volunteer in the war with Spain. l move the pre- vious question on the section and pend ing amendment.
 me to speak.
 Mir. O'Neal-I withdraw the motion that the gentleman from, Montgomery be allowed to speak. -.--,
 MT. Pettus-I object. The President-Does the gentleman from I,auderdale withdraw the motion!
 Mr O'Neal-I never decline to extend any courtesy to the distinguisheo gen tleman from Montgomery, and "i'n- draw 1t at his request. .. ,, MT. Jones-Some of the delegates III a,scusa;nr this question, seem to tnink thai all the pride and all the devotion ta the white race resides In the breasts of the gentlemen who object 10 the nronosition embodied in the amend ment and the substitute. so
 Mr Greer (Calhoun)-I dislike to oo if but I make the point Of oroer lnas the gentleman has discussed thls ques- ton once. .,.,,,ov, ,s ont of order. There has oeen
 amendment offered. +o aav .hnt some of our frienos on this Aoor seem to imagine l.ss Lna. thay possess all the ,paL[io''o., J enS rr;de of race represented on sho f,oor of this Convention, ana the. thosa of us who advocate oineren' , ;a,ya on this measure are unmlhalui, of what we owe to our race. | therefore be pardoned for sayihs sn 1s from the time was httic o years of age until ApponattoN, ,,fa surrendered. I was risking my IlIe'
 ,So hsring my body to wounds. sui Sa,irg and disease, in defense or the white people of Alabama. l nave rlsheu mv life as often as any man on thIs fICor since the closn or the war, Tn up- holding law and white supremacy ana In battling against the hordes wnich at time threatened to overthrow our civilization, It is untrue ana uhJus- tieed hut I won't characterize 1t TUT ther-to intimate because some or us think if unwise and wrong to put Tn tha Fundamental law of the state ol AIabama that it shall never call upon inc negro. if the State desires 1t 10 up hold it's laws, that we are unmlnuluI nf what is hest for the white race. recall an instance when there was an insurrection among the black people III Lowndes and Crenshaw counties oW'hs to the mobbing of negro III Jah ae Hayneville, was sent down tnere ."Ith the troops by Governor Seay. Ihe re ports of the magnitude or the uprising were alarming, and he d1d not KnoW what number of troops we would neeo' or how soon. While 1 was in the GoV- error's office, an officer ot the negro company here came in, and told the Governor he came to report to hlm, as he had heard there was trouble. GOV ernor Seay asked him if he could De counted on to fight his own people II they continued to resist the law. The negro replied: "Yes, sir, there Is not A man in my compeny who will thou uphold the laws of Alabama. You have treated us as soldiers. we are un- der your orders, and if you send us down there we will do good service. have never known an instance in the Alabama State troops, or Natlonal