The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-05-09

wishes, we should have no necessity for bill
of this kind But we know that ballot-bo&cs
have been broken, intimidation has been used
aud violence and bloodshed have been rife on
the dry of election Yhc peoples rights have
been taken from them, and will continue to b.
50, unless we do something for their relief
Sir we arc bound to move in this matter
VIII this legislature adjourn without adopting
some measure TO cure the evils complained Of?
We were threatened with revolution, and
armed resistance, when the liully case was
upon the taps. Our action has been twice en-
dorsed by the Supreme Court in that affair.
| have MS little doub, il will do so in this. If
ever the subject should come before them for
their decision.
This bill is characterized by its opponents
as an extraordinary measure. True, sir, it is;
but it is an extraordinary state OF affairs which
calls for prompt and stringent measures to
meet it, Legislative interpostion, decided and
efficient, is called for ut our hands. Will VIC
prove ourselves equal 10 the emergency J.
+ for one, am prepared 10 respond in the allirma-
tive. and to pass the bill under consideration.
do not claim for it perfection, but think it
will have the effect we desire.
n The gentleman from s.. Mnry's Parish G Mr.
Hawkins has quoted Article q Of our State
Constitution TO show that this bill is hncons,
tutional | sir, will read Article 93 of the
same instrument. which is as follows, TO wit:
Laws shall be nude 70 exclude from office
, and from the right Of suffrage, those who shall
I. hereafter be convicted Of bribery, forgery, or
other high crimes or nisflcmcanors The priv
, ilcge Of free suffrage shall be supported by
, laws regulating elections. prohibiting under
adequate pcnaltic, all undue influence thereon,
from power, bribery, 'umut, or other improper
practice
Now Sir. II viii bc seen that this bill i
clearly constitutional, and demanded by the
, state OF affairs that are POW known to exist in
, New Orleans. L. for one, will support it freely
, aud riecrfaly, and take all the responsibility
which may attach ia my vote !or so dong,
do not support il as a Democrat, but as a leg
, isator for the whole State. 1t is not party
measure, but may have to be carried by Demo
cratic votes alone. J our opponents will have
it SO, let them do it Thc Democratic party
. viii be held responsible for the measure, and |,
for one viii not shlrk that responsibility. Gen
!. tIcmcn If The American party know as well rs
we DO that something ought to be done to cure
\ the evils, which they admit to exist. If they
. ar determined that 10 Law shall b. passed to
! correct them, M II NJ III they vii! not JOIN
\ h. w promote ,ha public rpNi III New Orleans
Ity ,m.,,u. laws u preserve the peace, let them
T, Take tiH responsibility
j Mr. Spakrr-I hold 80 the doctrine that
4 t,e hgA5, st c.tiza1 i&eGitled - be secured
g in his rights as SUCH and whenever they are
taken from him IN violence, threats Or other
y uulHlRl means, he i entitled 10 Il remedy At
The hands Of The sovereign power Of the state.
y The rights d citizenship arr among those held
y most sacred by all VINO IoYc liberty, and apprc-
u ciate the character Of being n freeman. The
! rights Of large number Of naturalized citizens
= in New Orleans were denied their exercise ut
" the last Presidential election, and they are en-
t titled 10 the redress which this bill proposes to
give them thinl, it will prove effective, and
J. | Am ready to adopt il now