Speech #430011326

When presented to the States for adoption it was Opelnly declared in Congress and to the country. by the framers of it. that it did not and was not intended to biterT fore with the rights of the States to regulate their own internal affairs as they before had done. and it is perfectly plain from the amendment itself that it was not intended to confer upon the colored people any State right or privilege. because. as an inducement to the States to allow them to vote. the second section of that amendment regulates the representation hi Congress upon the basis of those allowed to vote. Some of the States did confer upon them the right of suffrage. but the dominant party in Congress. finding they were not likely to secure the control of the Southern States without the negro vote. in order to secure it. and thus secure anl continue their ascendency. presented the fiftconth aniendincut for ratification. By force of the socalled reconstruction laws. denying to such States as did not adopt it any representation in Congress. or any voice in the Goverunent. and by means of the military and bogus governments set up in niany of the Southern States. and by other means still less creditable. they succeecled in procuring its adoption . and by force thereof the important right of the elective franchise (which the people of Massachusetts will only permit those who can read the constitution to exercise in that State) was put into the hands of the hordes of poor. ignorant negroes just from the plantations. who. in the very nature of things. must have been totally devoid of every qualificaltion for its exercise. while an immigrant to this country. be he ever so intelligent. much as he may have studied our Constitution and lawscoming from choice. with his kindred and means. investing. as he may. permanently in property and businessis not admitted to citizenship with the right to vote until after a residence of five years. proof of his fidelity to the country. and tading the oath to support the Constitution of the United States. If there is propriety in thus dealing with an immigrant. there would seem to have been much propriety in putting the negro under a similar probation. In the mean time he would have been put upon his own resources. learned something of the laws of the country. and acquired some little capacity fitting him to exercise the important right of voting. When we consider what has been done for the colored people in the United States. taken. as they were. from a state of abject bondage. where they had no control of themselves or their children. the very property of others. liable to be sold and transferred at the will of their owners. and then made absolutely free.-made citizens of the United States with the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States. the males given the right to vote. having the complete control of several of the States. and lholding the balance of power in many others. we would naturally conclude that if they had any sense of the principle of gratitude. thoy would be more gracious than to seek to force themselves into the society and association of the white people against their wishes. and to break down all the distinctions and conveutionalities of life.