What justification was used for the expulsion of African Americans from the General Assembly in 1868?

The justification for the expulsion of African Americans from the General Assembly in 1868 primarily rested on the notion that although they had been granted voting rights, that did not necessarily translate to the right to hold office. This perspective reflected a broader societal attitude of the time, where political power structures were still heavily influenced by prevailing racial prejudices. While African Americans had been enfranchised through the Reconstruction Amendments, many white political leaders and constituents believed that their participation in governance was inappropriate or unwarranted.

The argument was not merely an abstract legal interpretation but rather a reflection of the political climate and the existing attitudes toward race and governance in the post-Civil War South. This sense of exclusion was rooted in the historical context of the region, where racial discrimination was prevalent, and the political establishment was largely dominated by white leaders who sought to maintain their power by limiting African Americans' influence. Thus, while voting rights were acknowledged, the prevailing belief that they should not equate to the ability to hold office led to actions that would exclude African Americans from participating in legislative processes.