davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

were they empowered 10 elect Congress
uaea for us had they right to elect It's
a President and President Above
MI, had they right to vote us Constitu-
ton under which we arc forever - live I
Rather let us have Napoleon Bonapartc's
idea of the elective franchise. 100000
electors, who chose tcnih--who chose a
tcnth-out of which he rhooscs the legis-
lqturc.
Best Of all is the reason they assign for
not submitting the vote upon the Consti-
tuition to the people. 1t would not be wise,
brcause-becausc-what, think you, vo-
tiers Of Rapides, is this mighty reason
which their great organ, the Delta, and
their lesser organ, the Baton Rouge Advo-
cate, assign! Why, no more or less than
that the people would vote it down. Coed
reason, truly, why the Convention should
act for the people when the people would
not act rs the Convention did.
Listen to the Delta and Baton Rouge
Advocate, and then judge for yourselves :
An election on the Constitution question would
be nothing more nor less than an election on the
submission question. The Constitution would
have Just nothing nj all 10 do with the matter.
But that issue has already been tried. The pco-
pie have already given their verdict. They have
decided against submission. There IL no neccssi-
~ for another argument, much less for another
trial on that point. The fThnds Of Secession, OF
the southern tonfcdeTacy, Of the maintenance OF
Southern Independence, are the friends Of mne-
date ratification. Thy do not irish 10 be Jorced
INTO ro,e on Tie question Of Reeonstrnction, at a
! moment when that question is not before the
Statc.-DcIta.
Here is the programme, awkwardly wordrd but
not 20 be- mistaken, Of the new Opposition or Tory
party of Louisiana. Uhn Constitution II The
Confederaie States as Submitted 10 a general rote,
then plan IS 10 reject ID. II. Adr0caie.
They will not submit the Constitution
to the people because there are sufficient
Co-operationists TO vote it down. A ma
jority against the Constitution, and yet a
majority has adopted it. Strange arsu-
mcnt. The people cannot be allowed to
vote on the Constitution because the Fire
eaters think they will vote it down. They
cannot be rcry certain that they express
the views of the majority. Well, well, we
are truly to be piticd. Poor fellows we do
not know what is for our own good. Never
mind we are not SO bad of IA some, tor we
have good friends, who will for Pay act for
us--do for US. just give them good fat
Office, or thirty thousand year, not to do
the State printing and we have them, who
will be the quintcsscncc OF patriotiSm-and
will henccforth do not only all the patriot
ism but all the voiing for us.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

a CAPITAL REBUKE.-Whrn Captain
Insraham returned, few days since, from
the command of the Richmond, steam sloop
in the Mediterranean, certain Senator
from Louisiana, though born and raised in
New York city, and late member Of the
Naval Committee Of the Senate, said to
him substantially as follows:
"Sir, why did you not retain your COM
mand and bring your ship into New Or
leans, or some other Southern port, when
the State seeded T. To which Captain
Ingram replied; "Sir, you are mistaken in
your man, and in Southern naval officers
if you suppose they, or |, could forget our
oaths of office, and become traitors or be
guilty of a contemplate theft = When
; outh Carolina calls for her sons to leave
the General Government and return to the
bosom Of the parent State, she expects
them to do so with honor untarnished and
regulations without the slightest spot on
their escutcheons; thieves and traitors she
will never acknowledge"
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

TEXAS ITEMs.-We take the following
account Of most horrible murder, from
the Jefferson Herald and Gazette Of the
22d INST:
Awful HOMICIDE. Our Whole community
was VIC, ntlv shocked on the Ith INST, by the
commission of Il bloody Iced, whereby on" "f our
citizens lost his life. NJ. : Mccall, cIragrd
and cmbi'tercd against John W. Wright, the
former husband Of McCail's wife encountered
him at about 10 o'clock, 4. NJ, a; the store OF
j l.. Il :. G. Smith, corner Of Marshall aud aus
tIf<terts, and drawing a Cots revolver, com
mrnccd firing upon him. Two OF The caps Of the
pistol snapped three loads took effect, lnficting
most fearful wounds, one above thu eye, another
on the side Of the head, the ball entering the ear
and the fata. shot on the right shoulder ranging
in the direction OF the heart. The WOUNDED man
after being shot, ran across the street into the
saloon of Mr.. Lockhart, Mccall pursuing him
and upon emerging from the back door into Aus
tin street, was OyertakCn by Mccall, who then
plunged a bowie knife into h.s back, driving u
up To the hit Here Deputy Sheriff HENDERSON
encountered the parties, and after drawing ih'
knife from the back OF Wright, promptly arrested
Met all. and placed him in jail Wright was Ia
ken to the Office of W j. c. Rogers. whore in
the course of two hours he died.
OF the weather the Gazette & Herald
says:
The weather the present week has ben nm
scasonaby cold, with heavy frosts AT night which
hayr nippcd the young corn severely i'll some To-
call;ics.
From the same paper we learn that ;
new journal has made its appearance il
that city, styled the L" Star State JefIer
sonian," under tho auspices of Col. Jas
A. Warner, editor and proprietor, with I
p. Ochiltree, Esq, as associate editor
OF the typographical appearance, etc, o
the new paper, the Herald & Gazette
speaks very fdvorably.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
Communicated

nnunlcdteu
EDlroR CoNsTITUToNAL 1t seems,
Mr. Editor that my humble illusions pro
duced quite auttering among tho nerv-
Iously sensitive advocates Of secession.
The genius of the pampered minions of
power that presides over the columns Of
the Baton Rouge Advocate has been in
voked with all it's teaming vocabulary OF
unseemly language to denounee and 81
lence the spirit that would dare rebuke the
fiery demon of revolution and civil war
which has been lot loose with wild fury TO
overtarn and destroy the fairest fabric Of
Government that has ever been known.
Letthem rave on. There is a stern and i'm
mutabe spirit of liberty in the land which,
while it seems to slumber, is but growing
in strength ard determined resolve, and
will ere long arise in all its might and
majesty, and beat back the surging and
raving waves of the mad faction Of an in
tolerant party spirit.
Every step taken since the inception OF
lthis secession movement has been further
and further to stiile the VOC, Of the PEG
lple-and the last is the browning act
of usurpation in peremptorily refusing to
submit 10 them tho Montgomery COnstitu-
ton. This too in the face Of the charg,
that has been made again and again that,
in the vote east for delegates to this self
same convention, there was majority OF
the popular vote against separate State
action And yet while the parasites OF
political power deny the fact they dare
not publish the result. The ~isc editorial
in the Louisiana Democrat says, 1T is Il
statement wholly gratuitous, as the returns
in the Secretary Of States office show. y
1t happens that the Secretary Of State
was called on to publish statement Of
the vote and he replied it was not his duty
TO do 81, as he had no connection with the
Convention And it is with declarations
like this and the following that the dema
goeue il content to combat truth Bat
some statements should be- corrected lest
crcdulous people believe that the truth oi
assertion is in proportion to Tn" confidence
with which il is made"
But, Mr.. Editor, | will turn from a dis
cussion in which thero il nothing to com
bat save the factious spirit Of party.
have no taste for nor Will | b'
drawn into controversy with ncwspapci
editors who have grown fat and sleek upon
the pap licked from the hand Of ill-gottef
power, nor with those who are insiduously
seeking its smilcs by writing senselcS'
paragraphs over fictitious signatures.
While the press is free, and have
opinions to express, shall continue Il
express them even though Tray, BLANCHE
aud Sweetheart, little dogs and all bark
" If this is treason, let them make Tn,
most of it,"
One who Loves his Country
| Better than Party.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
TERMS =

sURsCRIPTIoN--Four Dollars per annum, in adj
= vance IL not paid within Six Months from the
I ins Of subscribing. Five Dollars. No subscrp-
ton taken for poriod Of less than six
months.
"A ADVERTISING. --Advcrtiscmc inserted at the
, rate Of One Dollar per square Of ten lines or
/. less for The first insertion, and Fifty Cents for
: zach additional publication. Advertisements
appearing at intervals viii be- charged each
time the price Of first publication, Upon
) yearly Advertisements liberal discount viii be
\ made.
OBITUARY NOTICES, when over a square, viii BE-
!, charged at the regular rates Of advertising.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

sV~ The officers of those favorite and
fast packets. the De Soto, Grand, Duke
and Il. w. Roberts, have again placed us
under obligations for files of New Orleans
papers. These boats form a tri-weekly
line from New Orleans to Shreveport, and
are very regular in their trips.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
One who Loves his Country
Better than Party.

IV'Thc following communication should
have appeared in last weeks paper, but
was mislaid. Since that time the City
Council have met and adopted an ordinance,
We believe, closing all stores ard drinking
establishments on Sunday:
ALEXANDRIA,, March l9,h l-G'.
Edfor Of The ConsiiiHiioHdt-SiR VIII you
permit M, through the columns of your ya!uah.,
paper, 10 call the attention of tho BUSINESS mon of
Alexandra, Gin a spirit Of kindness to the pro-
prcty of closing Shcr respective places Of bu-i-
ness Oh the Sabbath. IT, havo not iiinr in tlis
little arlirl to discuss the dcmoral.siug influence
that naturally grows ont of the total disregard Of
the Sabbath day but enough must BE- apparent
To all, to srcuIc disrou;inuanc" Of business on
that day, when you take into consideration that
The obarrlaac" Of This day, Is an express COM
mand ~ s.x days out OF seven seems to
me quite enough for either principal or clerk ia
labor; and especially Is this true Of Saloons, ior
il y al evil that all who take sobcr thought
lust dcplorc. / would rejoice to sec business
susp,n1 On tire sabbath by all citizens Of this
place, for one n.gnth as an experiment. And
parents, who have chiG.cn largr enough 70 z" to
Sabbath School come ont and hclp to keep alive
that nursery Of christianity and all, wh"th"i
heads Of families or not, attend some one OF the
different places Of divine services, aud then see
after one month-how many Of our citizens would
relapse with the mode Of doing business.
did not set out to argue the proprirty or I'M
propr.ety of the premises and as a hint to The
.cisc is sufficient, will leave the subject will
thcm hoping, however, that all will give The
subject their candid attention,
aul yours &c,
NORALI~T.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

IL The Millinery and Fancy Goods
store of Mrs. NJ. A. Zenker & Co. has been
removed from Front street to one door be-
low the Office of the Constitutional. where
they have OH hand magnificent supply
II Spring and Summer goods. Call in
md SEQ them.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
WdrlIe-The Baton Rouge Advocate

" dHse'-Ihe Datoh houge Advocate
of the Bath inst, says:
All day yesterday string of drays
We're passing and repassing our window.
Those going from the Arsenal to the river
were loaded with formidable looking shell
and shot for some point down the river
from here. Everybody said, " for Pensa-
cola" but not being informed on the sub
iect, We can't say whether Mr. Everybody
was right in his conjecture.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

~ We are authorized TO announce that
CHICHESTER CHAPLIN is n Can
|didatc for the Judgship in the District
composed of the parishes of Rapides, Match
|itochcs, Vim and Sabine. Election in
April next.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

" The beautiful verses on the outside
of to-day's paper, entitled Lines on the
death OF Emma, daughter of Col. w. O..
and Mary +. b. Winn," were written by
Il lady who resides in this parish, and who
is highly gifted as poetcss.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

~ Attention is requested TO the adj
yertistAent of f. Z: Forbes, Esq, to be
found in the proper column. lie has
opened an office, three doors from the
tSste-Stiice, where he will carry on the
business of an Accountant. Those wish
mo III, s"r, icrs >hou!d call in and zee him.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

~ The proceedings of Police Jury.
at its called session on Thursday last, will
be found in another column also the pro-
ceedings of the Town Council at It's meet
ing on the 23d inst.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

~ Our readers arercspectiuily referred
TO the card of Messrs. A. C. & X. w.
Bringhurst, TO be found in to-day's paper.
They are both Crcoles of old Rapides
and are prepared to attend 10 surveying
and Civil Engineering in all its branches.
We hope that they will receive goodly
share Ofpublic patronage.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

L ~ The fine passenger packet RA-
[PlDES, Capt. j. G. DowTY, with G. j.
BARsTow in the office, will arrive at Alex
andria every Monday, and leave for New
Orleans every Wednesday.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

IcE.-Judge Ariail is rigging up his
traps" in front Of the Ice House Hotel,
preparatory TO the reception Of his new
supply of ice--that indispensable luxury
Of the sultry months. 1t is expected here
in the early part Of next week
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

1 ~ The T. w. ROBERTS Tin place Of
she Grand Era) will hereafter leave New
ilOrleans, every Tuesday, at j =. NJ, and
pass Alexandria, on her way down, at
b =. NJ, Sundays.
March 10, 1861.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

Ed. C0RstitutiOAai: Please announce in
your paper that if Coz. w: Is. LEWIS
will consent TO become candidate for
the office of Judge of the District com
posed Of tho parishes of Rapidcs, Natchi-
I,ochcs, VIM and Sabine, he will receive
The warm support ofthc
VOTERS OF RAPIDES.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

" See new advertisement Of Jonathan
Rhorer, Esq, TO be found in to-day's paper
Brother Jonathan's" Clothing and Fur.
nishing store is the resort of all the fash,
enable.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
VOTERS OF RAPIDES.

WEATHER AND RIvER.--The weather
yesterday was windy and cloudy, but
wi:hal quite pleasant All along for weeks
past the weather has been most favorable
for our planters.
The river at this place is still falling
very fast. Some of our largest class
steamers have withdrawn from the trade
for the present, and others are expected
soon TO follow suit" The up-freights
of the steamer Rapidcs continue bulky"
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
Seizure Of the Steamer Bienville

The steamship B-n'iI!c Of thr New York,
Havana and y " Orleans line, is under sarrrii-
lance by IN, cu,,omhou.r authorities, alleged
with violation OF tho revenue law, for not having
proper clearance. Her cargo is VALUED at 3 AGO.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

PARTIEs.-l'hc blitho and gay folks are
10 have two Of their merry parties in our
city next week. One is to be given by
the Hope Fire Go. No. 2, on Monday even
ing next, and The other by that gallant
little band, the Coiillion Club, OH Thurs
day evening, the ith prox. Both deserve
10 be well attended.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
Election.

Our citizens should remember that an
election takes place on Monday next, for n
Judge of this Judicial District. The Dis
trict is composed of four Parishes and we
suppose that each Parish would Ike to
have the Judge, but that cannot be, rs one
has TO be elected for the whole Col. VIM
b. Lewis, the candidate from our Parish is
an able lawyer, anl n good man, and we
would like to see him elected for many
reasons, one of which is, he is a resident Of
our Parish, and, if elected, we would have
Judge at our own door, and we should
not have to ride, OF one hundred miles OF
SO to get one i'll case an emergency should
arise tC require lis presence. We hop,
that the electors Of our Parish will Civ,
Col. Lewis good vote, and by that ac
show their appreciation Of the man ant
citizen.
OF the Hon. Chichester Chaplin Tia,
presiding Judge Of the old upper District
who is also n candidate, it is unnecessary
for us TO speak. lie is an able lawyer,
GOOD citizen, and gentleman well bcloycr
by those a,.cong whom he has resided fo
many years. he will no doubt receive
large vote in his own and aG,. lining Parishes
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

Exclusive Of public buildings, 10 winch
the Federal Government has title. Much
of the propertyis estimated at the original
cost, it; valne in Texas being much great:
er, and worth to the State a. least nil
lion and hal: ot dollars.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

THc Legislature and NE COnrention-
The following pungent resolutions were
offered in the House Of Representatives on
Tuesday 10Th inst, by Mr.. Bradley of Liy-
ingston:
Be ii rcsolrcd, That it is the Sense of
this House that the Convention now sit
ting in New Orleans be required to re-dis-
trict this State with six Congressional Dis
trlcts. which shall not be changed 50 long
rs the State Of Louisiana remains a mem
Der Of the Confederate States Of Ameri-
ca.
BE IL further Resolrcd, That they be- re-
qucstcd to elect six Congressman and two
Senators, Prorided, that the persons so Sc
lected be chosen from among the delegates
now sitting in said Convention.
BE II )urikcr RcsOircd, That to relieve
the said Convention from the modest en-
barrasmcnt under which they now labor
they are hereby authorized and requested
to constitute themselves into "A perpetual
legislative body, with full power in case OF
vacancy from any cause whatever, TO
choose their SUCCESSORS PrOr7ded, That 10
ordinance or legislative cnactmcnt passed
by the said scIi-constituled body, shall ne
submitted to the people for their ratification
or rejection
BE ii further rcsolrcd, That the Speaker
Of the House and the President Of the Sen
ate, be requested to pack all the books, pa
pcrs and records of both Houses, rs wei
as the unfinished business, and transmit
them Immediately after the adjournment o
the General Assembly, to the President Of
said Convention.
Pending discussion-and on motion o
the member from St. Landry, to lay on thu
tablc-thc House adjourned to dinner.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

"Thr London Times says that of an
public documents the inaugural of jeff
Davis is the most difficult 20 understand"
-Dcitd.
Rather dubious compliment. Where
is it intended to mislcad II was addressed
to the people Of the Southern Contcdcracy.
Did he not intend them to understand himi
We truly hope he has not lent himself to
the orders Of mystifying politicians. Yet
the London Times saysso, and the Delta"
swcars by the London Times. SO much
for old England, the mother of Abolition
ism, and for the Delta" its endorscr--
If We keep on and secure her protcct,oD and
.Jaror we may hope in time to be in the
same prosperous condition as the Island of
Jamaica.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
The New congressional Districts.

The following ordinance, which passed
the State Convention ou the 18th inst, ar
ranging the Congressional Districts of the
State for the election Of Representatives
to the Congress of the Confederate States,
is Of the greatest importance TO our citi-
zcns at largc. The election under this
law, for members Of Congress, will take
place on the first Monday in November,
and the first regular Congress Of the Con-
fcdcrate States viii be- held ut Montgom-
cry, on the first Monday in December
AN ordinance 20 divide liz. STATE of Louisiana
into Congressional Districts for the election of
Representatives 10 the Congress Of the Conird-
Grated States Of America.
NE, the pcopie Of LoH'SiaH1, ~ Convention as
seJied, do dociorc oriain. That the STATE shall
be divided into ia C"ugr"s 'ional Districts Of
contiguous Territory. each District 10 eject, accord
ing to law, one Representative" 10 the Congress Of
the Confederate States # America, which division
shall continue and be in foc,' until the Ircisla-
tuTc shall otherwise provide
The First district hall 10 composed Of the
Parishes OF ilaqu'min"s, -. Bernard. Orleans,
night bank, the second and third municipal Dis
t,.cis Of New Orleans. H." parishes of 81. Tamma-
ny aud Washington.
The Second D'srlirt ,hall BE- composed Of the
frs, and fourth nuu"ps, Districts 0! New Or
.uanS, and the Pa: 81 v: l"il.fSon
The Third Di,'ict .ial be composed of The
Haish', of ~. Charles, X. John the Baptist, 81
James, Ascension. Assumption, Laourchr, I, re
bone, Livingstone, East Baton Rouge, East Fe-
l,-.. -
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

I. s. DIPLOMATIC Appo,"tmc@t.-The
following is a complete list Of the new [.
S representatives, abroad, 50 far as yet de-
ternined, with their respective salaries:
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

Tile Crttende@ Compj;meDt--The fol
lowing Is the resolution adopted by the
Richmond Convention on Monday by an
almost unanimous vote:
"Resolred, That the thaDks Of the peo-
pie of Virginia be and they are hereby
most cordially rendered to the Hon. John
j. Crittenden for his recent able, Jealous,
and patriotic efforts in the Senate Of the
United States to bring about a lust and hon
orable adjustment of our national Difficult
tn"
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
MISSISSIPPI.
GEORGIA.

We have no material change TO make in
our report from last weeks issue. The
weather for the past week has been a CON
tinuation Of tho two weeks previous. Far
mers are having unusually iavorably
weather for planting and all outdoor work.
The slight frost has not, that we could
learn, done any great damage, although it
ls supposed that some fruit may be killed
along the water courscs.-.NdcoR Mcssca-
ger.
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30

The SURRENDER IN TExAs.-The San
Antonio (Texas) Herald says that the fol-
lowing is a list of the property given up
to the State by Gen. Twiggs:
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
Attempt at RobbeI

NEW YoEE, March 25.-An attempt TO rob Ii
Exchange Bank Of til, city hy burglars "a
frustrated. Tiny, however. .ucc' cdcd in gctinI
SllD@
The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-03-30
Methodist Conference.

BALT!MuEE, March 2G-Thr Mrthodist Con
ference ha'" aaoytrd plan Of separation from
the Northern Church. 1h" majority loot.