Year: 1865




has they Will have no ground to complain.


NEGRO TESTIMONY.


The people this State do not desire that their do
mesto affairs shall be the subject OF discussion aBl
Legislation in the halls Of Congress- But they most
suredy will be. unless accept fully the freedom Il
the negro and give 10 him the Same security and pro-
lection for hts person and property which we give v
the white man.


Heretofore the negro in condition Of Slavery wa
to large oxten under the power and protection OF biz
master, UhO felt an interest In his welfare. not only
because he o dependent and had been raised per.
haps. in his family but because he was bis property.
Now he has no such protector and unless be finds pro-
lection in the Of justice he becomes the victim
Of every wicked. dcpravcd and bad man, whose
avarcc may prompt him to refuse the payment
Of his Just wages, and whose angry and rcvengefu pas
sons may excite him to abuse and matrest tho helpss
being aocd by his freedom beyoAd the pale Of proec
toD Of any kind.
Much scnstiyeaess is felt in this and other Southern
States upon the subject Of the admissbiity OF negro
testimony In the courts Of justice for against whits
persons. For myself now that the negro free. do
not feel any such sensiyeness DO not perceive the
philosophy expedlency OF any rule OF evidence wtch
shuts out the truth from the bearing OF the jury It
may be said that the intention Of the rule Is to shut out
ssebood but how can it be known to the jury whether
and compared 1t with the other testimony In the caset
The admission Of Negro testimony should not be 70.
garded privilege grsnted to the negro but az tho
right Of the State in all criminal prosecutions 70 have
his testimony in connection With other testimony 70
assist to estaelsh the Guilt ~ sae accuseA an
lreeprQcMH to be the right OF the accused 70 nave
such testimony 10 establish his innocence But sns
question Of the admissibity Of negro testimony 70
mercy incidental TO the main subject. which B-hs
duty OF the State to protect abe negro in the exercise
and enjoyment Of his rights Of freedom II this duty
can Qe adequately performed and the rights OF ths
negro duly secured, without his lbeing allowed
TO make oath before the courts OF the wrongs and ipa
res done him. then the interest OF tie state TO have bis
testimony admitted will be 80 greatly essened as 70 re
duce the question to of comparatively much less i'm
portance.


II the coored In this country can Be fully and
aiy protected In the exercise and enjoyment Of their
newly acquired rights Of freedom. then, In my judg
ment they will be quiet and contented people unain
bilious Of any political privileges or Of any participation
In the affairs OF the Government Protected In tbeir
persons and property they may be to be in'
ustrous aud economical BY desire to acquire property
In to educate themselves and their ehdIen asd
ton They may also be stimulated 70 labor by making
vagrarcy an offence. punishable by temporary nvolun
tary servitude Feeling the power Of the STATE over
them when they do wrong. they VIII soon learn 70
venerafe and respect its authority and under wise
administration Of the government and !gosoas en-.
work ont their destiny in condition OF freedom ~
God in His wisdom may have appointed.


What their condition az q race may be at the end OF
fifty or hupdred years do not think any person IL
wise enough 10 predict But We may reasonably hops
and believe that they will progress aid improve In In.
telligence and civilization, and become. not many
wears hence tho best free agricultural peasantry for
our soil and climate that the world has ever seeo-
But IT, the other hand this protection, this equality
Of iustoe is not fully accorded 20 them. they will 10
deprived of the ordinary motives to industry and
economy Industry will be 10 them no more profitable
than idleness. Discomfort viii prevail and In the end
the peace OF society be disturbed and the welfare 6 tho
State seriously affected


recommend that the Convention shall. By some suit.
able provision to be inserted In the Constitution pro-
tect the coored in common with the white race in their
liberty and In their rights Of person and property and
guard the two against Determinations 70 be made
between them by the oOu:s orlegsature In any nattes
touching these rghs aud not ease the subject to thS
uncertain and varying action Of the Legislature 4
think clause may be 20 drawn as to accomplish
this object, and OF the samo time exclude the COZ
ored people from any participation IN tue snaiss
Of the Government. 1 recommend. also. tie passage
OF an ordinance declaring that person shall be incom.
petent as a witness on account Of his color, IN any
matter civil or criminal wherein the State or the le
liberty or rights Of person property OF Aey cosored
person Is concerned


TIE SECESSION OEDISANCE


Irecommend that the Convention shall pass an ordi-
nancs declaring that the ordinance called the Ordi-
nance of Secession passed by convention OF the peo
pie on the 10th day OF January, ls6 was and u nui!
and yoid and additional ordinances aIpulling ana
ratyng such other ordinances Gets OF the Legislature
and judicial proceedings the interests OF the Ssats
may require.