Year: 1868

Mr.. Rres,dent-I have felt sir desire to
say something at this stage Of our proceedings
/ do so, however, with the utmost difidence of
my ability to present in clear and satisfactory
way what has occurred to me.


feel, sir, that the Convention approaches
the eonsummation of its work We are al
ready In the rapids, and already within ear-shot
of the roar of the cataract.


had thought it possible soon after reached
here, that something of moderate temper
might be developed in the proceedings Of this
body, and that perhaps something in the way
of compromise might be reached on this ques-
tion. But, sir, such an anticipation is abrupt
ly dismissed by the report of the majority of
the suffrage committee.


This report, sir, is simply measure for the
Africanization of the State. 1t is an effort to
bind gallant and chivalrous race, and deliver
them over to their recently emancipated negro
slaves Was there ever, sir, a more pitiable
sight than that of these Southern States? l
recall them in the pride and dauntless selfcon-
fdence of race unaccustomed to restraint
reared to command, environed with the COM
forts of life, imbued with the sentiment that
true courage could never meet with adversely,
confident in the temper and destiny of the
South. Never did any people fall from such
| an eminence to such an abyss! Other nations
| have been unfortunate in war; other races have
| felt the pangs of defeat; the sword, the torch,
| the sack and pilage that follow in the track of
great invading armies, the chains that come af-
| ter discontinue in the field, have fallen to the
| lot of Greek and Roman, of Celt and Saxon !;
but it was reserved for the people of the South
| to experience an ingenious torture that added
degradation to defeat, and shame to misfortune.
We we'll know the melancholy condition of the
| Irish people under the rude hand of the Brit
ish government; but, sir, how light are those
fetters to what they would be if six millions of
| Africans were landed upon that ill-omened


shore, and invested with the sovereignty of the
| State?


We know how merciless is the rule of the
| Cossack in the realm ofthe once naughty and
| high spirited Pole; but what is tyranny and
oppression to the elevation and enforcement
| of negro slaves over the proudest scions of the
| Caucasian stock SO, sir, might envlous NAL
ice pull down from his aery fight the towering
eagle, and give him over sightless and disabled
| to the bats and owls


| 1t is a spectacle, sir, never before Witnessed
that which is now transpirlng here in the sacred
name OF liberty and under the authority of the
| United States One, sir, to call a blush into





hail.


| What is this spectacle? Universal black suf-
| frage and partial white suffrage in communi-
ty where the races are nearly equal in numbers,
and to be connected with an apportionment of
representation In the Legislature which will
! give the negroes the majority Of the seats in
that body! And every man who is elected to
any office is to swear his adhesion to the civil
and political equality Of all men.


| There is nothing like it in the world 1t is


positively unique and peculiar; standing out,


In any survey OF human society, like some black


cloud jutted out like promonitory into the


fair and tranquil expanse of heaven. The con-
stitution of Jamaica is mild compared to what


we shall get here The people of New York


would be appalled, at the idea of introducing in
to their own midst the sociology of Jamaica or
| St Domingo But Virginia has suffered so


much, and is so fearfully threatened, that she


would be glad to have the constitution of ia
maica. The miserable Island of Jamaica is
ish crown secondly, by legislative council of
seventeen members, also appointed by the
crown, five of whom may be without a property
qualification, the other twelve being required


to have an income of $500 year. And
thirdly, by the House of Assembly, which con-
sists of forty seven members, each of whom, to
be eligible, must pay $50 taxes. This is the


popular branch of the Legislature.


The right of suffrage is enjoyed by male citi-


zens owning a freehold of the annual value of
$50 In 1860 there were only two or three me-
groes in the House of Assembly. This is the
so-caled negro realm of Jamaica, whose very


name is only used to suggest the ruin of a once


prosperous and fourishing community.


What does the majority report Of the Com
mittee on the Elective Franchise propose to
give Virginia? A Governor elected by univer-


sal negro suffrage; Senate elected by univer-
sal negro suffrage; a House of Delegates cleo


ted by universal negro suffrage. There is no
property qualification, nor educational qualif-