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Speeches at the Constitutional Convention / With the Right of Suffrage Passed by the Constitutional Convention

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About This Book

The pamphlet assembles selected constitutional provisions, a proposed plan of suffrage, and speeches delivered by a Black delegate defending universal male voting rights without racial distinction, alongside contemporary editorials and congratulatory letters. It presents the delegate's arguments against measures designed to disfranchise Black voters, invokes historical context and instances of violent suppression, critiques discriminatory registration practices, and calls for fair elections and legal safeguards for electors. The reproduced suffrage clauses specify voter eligibility, residency and disqualification rules, ballot procedures, and election administration as debated at the convention.

About the Author

Smalls, Robert portrait

Robert Smalls

Robert Smalls was an African American politician, sea captain, and former enslaved person who played a significant role in American history during the Reconstruction era. Born in South Carolina, he is best known for his daring escape from slavery during the Civil War, when he commandeered a Confederate ship to freedom. Smalls became a prominent advocate for civil rights and suffrage, contributing to the political landscape of his time. His notable work, "Speeches at the Constitutional Convention / With the Right of Suffrage Passed by the Constitutional Convention," reflects his commitment to advancing the rights of African Americans and shaping the future of democracy in the United States.

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