Speech #890052426

I leave the word "race" as it stands in the Senate amendment. All those words are applicable to colored citizens of the United States. But that all citizens. nativeborn and naturalized. black and white. may be equal. so far as political rights are concerned. under the operation of the Federal Constitution. I ask leave of this House to insert the additional words "nativity. property. creed." By the Senate amendment as it now stands you will strike down the constitution of Ohio and the constitutions of 20 other States. in that they unjustly and wrongfully discriminate among citizens on account of color. If my amendment shall be adopted you will strike down as well the constitutions of other States. as for example. the State of Rhode Island. which wrongfully and unjustly discriminates this day by property qualifications against naturalized citizens of the United States as compared with nativeborn citizens. and I use the words of her constitution. I would have inserted the other word "education. but I know that the general sense of the American people is so much for education. that chief defense of nations. that if they will not take care of that interest they will take care of nothing. [Here the hammer fell.]