I do not
see why the American freedman has not a right to choose his own
surname."
"That is not the custom here," said the sheriff, with some chagrin,
he having begun the controversy.
"Very true," replied the chairman; "the custom--and a very proper
and almost necessary one it seems--is to call the freedman by a
former master's name. This distinguishes individuals. But when the
freedman refuses to acknowledge the master's name as his, who can
impose it on him? We are directed to register the names of parties,
and while we might have the right to refuse one whom we found
attempting to register under a false name, yet we have no power
to make names for those applying. Indeed, if this man insists that
he has but one name, we must, for what I can see, register him by
that alone."
His associates looked wise, and nodded acquiescence in the views
thus expressed.
"Den dat's what I chuse," said the would-be voter. "My name's
Nimbus--noffin' mo'."
"But I should advise you to take another name to save trouble
when you come to vote," said the chairman. His associates nodded
solemnly again.
"Wal, now, Marse Cap'n, you jes' see h'yer. I don't want ter carry
nobody's name widout his leave. S'pose I take ole Marse War's name
ober dar?"
"You can take any one you choose. I shall write down the one you
give me."
"Is you willin', Marse War'?"
"I've nothing to do with it, Nimbus," said Ware; "fix your own
name.
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