The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-03-06
THE fifth section declares that the

HE fifth section declares that the
preceding sections shall cease to oper-
ate in any State where certain events
have happened. These are:
Il The selection of delegates to a
State Convention by an election, at
which negroes shall be allowed to
vote -.
y. The formation of State Con-
stitution by the Convention SO chosen.
80. The insertion into the State
Constitution of a provision which will
secure the right of voting at all cleo
tions to the negro, and such white
men as may not be disfranchised for
rebellion or felony.
"a. The submission of the Consti-
tuition for ratification to the negroes
and white men not DISTINGUISHED, and
its actual ratification by their vote
5. The submission of the State
Constitution to Congress for examina-
ton, and the actual approval of it by
that body.
SO. The adoption of certain
amendment to the, Federal Constitu-
ton by avote of the Legislature elect
ed under the new Constitution.
81 The adoption of said amend
ment by sufficient number of other
States is to make tia part of the Con-
stitution of the United States
ALI these conditions must be full
filed before the people of any of these
States can be relieved from the bond
age of military domination; but when
they are fulfilled, then the pains and
penalties of the bill are to cease-no
matter whether there be peace or or
der or not, and without reference to
the security of life and property.
"The excuse given for the bill in
the preamble is admitted in the bill
itself not to be real. The military
rule which it establishes is plainly to
be used-not for any purpose Of or
der, and for the prevention of crime
but solely as means of coercing
the people into the adoption of prin-
eiples and measures to which it is
known they are opposed, and upon
which they have an undeniable right
to exercise their own judgment. y
OF the military governments pro-
vided for, the President says:
4 1.-THE ten States named in the bill
are divided into FIVE districts. For
each district an officer of the army,
mot below the rank of Brigadier GEN
eral, is to be appointed to rule over
the people, and he is to be supported
with an efficient military force to en-
able him to perform his duties; and
his authority, as defined by the third
section. of the bill, is to protect all
persons in their rights of person aud
property; to suppress disorder and
violence; and to punish, or cause to
be punished, all disturbers of the
public peace, or criminals.
THE power thus given to the COM
handing officer, over all the people
of each State, is that of an absolute
monarch. His mere will lis to take
the place of all law. The law of the
State is the only rule applicable to
the subject placed under his control,
and that is completely displaced by
the clause which declares all inter
ference by the State authority to be
null and void, He alone is permitted
to determine what are the rights Of
persons and property. He may pro-
tect them in such away as in his dis
erection may seem proper. 03 "
1t places at his free disposal all
the lands and goods in his district.
He may distribute them without let
or hindrance, to whom he pleases,
being bound by no State law, and
there being no other law to regulate
the subject. E q
He may make criminal code of his
own, and he can make it as bloody as
any recorded in history, or he can re-
serve the privilege of acting upon the
impulse Of his. private passions, in
each ease that arises. Heis bound by
no rules ofeYidence.. There is indeed
no provision by which he is author
lied or requiredi to take evidence at
ALL. Every thing is crime which he
chooses to call so, and all persons are
condemned whom he pronounces
guilty. He is not bound to make any
report or keep any record of his pro-
Isceedings He may arrest his victim
wherever he may find him, without
warrant, accusation or proof of prob
able cause. If he gives him trial
before he inficts the punishment, he
gives Of his grace and mercy, not be-
cause he is Commanded SO TO do.
10 casual reader of the bill, II
might seem that some kind of trial
was secured to persons accused OF
crime, but such is not the case. The
officer may permit local civil tribunals
to try offenders, but of course this
does not require that he shall do so
LIT any State or Federal court pre-.
sumes to exercise its legal jurisdiction
by the trial of malefactor without
his special permission, he can break
up and punish the judges and Jurors
as being themselves malefactors. He
can, save his friends from justice anG