Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-11-28
YIfE ALABAMA CONTENTION

THE ALABAMA CONVEN7ION.
We advise those who are raising such a
doleinl whine over negro supremacy, and
radical prescription in the South, to read the
proceedings of the reconstruction Convcn-
tions, being held in these States.
That Of Alabuma, which is as radical as
any which will be elected in the South, has
adopted an article of the new Constitution,
in relation to suffrage, in which there is Ger
tainly nothing unreasonably "proscriptive,
and which we think will compare very favor
ably with any adopted in the Southern States
during the brief life and power of the So
called conicdracy.
Section |, provides " that every male per-
son born in the United States, and every
male person who has been na:uralized, or
who has legally declared his intention to be-
come citizen of the United States, twenty
one years old or upwards, who shall have
resided in the State six months next proceed
ing the election, and three months in the
county in which he offers to vote except as
hereafter provided, shall be declared an cleo
tor; provided, that no soldier or sailor or
marine in the military or naval service of the
United States shall hereafter acquire u resi-
dence by reason of being stationed on duty
in the State"
The second clause, with view to cncour-
aging immigration, is more liberal towards
foreigners than any Of the old Constitutions.
Section 2. provides for general registra-
ton but says the following classes Of persons
shall not be allowed TO register, vote, or hold
Office.
"First-Thosc who, during the late rebel
| lion, inflicted any cruel or unusual punish
mcnt upon any soldier, sailor, or marine
employed by any citizen of the U. s.. or
who in any other way violated the rules OF
civilized warfare. Second-Those who are
or may be disfranchiscd by the proposed
constitutional amendment known us the
18th article, and the act Of Congress, passed
March ., 1867, except such persons as have
aided the plan of reconstruction proposed
| by Congress, and accepted the political
equality ofpll men before the law: provided,
the General Assembly shall have power 10
remove the disabilities incurred under the
last clause. Third-That those who shall
have been convicted of treason, cmbczzlc-
ment of public funds, malieasance in office.
crime punishable by law with Imprisonment
in the penitcntiary, or bribery. Fourth
No idiot or insane person shall be permit.
There arc certainly none of those except
ed here, that any one not in full accord ant
sympathy with the late rebellion, woult
trust with the ballot, they having by theil
own act forfeited it, while, to most of th,
exceptions, any sensible man, without rcgart
to politics, will assent. Even to those guilty
of participation in rebellion, it will be seer
that an opportunity to escape disfranchise
ment is offered
Section 3, provides that all persons bcfor'
registry, must take the following oath -
l do soemnly swear (or aliirm) that
will support and maintain the Constitution
and laws Of the State OF Alabama; that
am not excluded from registering by any o
the clauses in section of this article; tina
| will never countcnance or aid in the scces
4 sion of this State from the United States
that accept the civil and political equalit.
of all men, and not to attempt to depriv
any person OF persons, on account OF race
color or previous condition, of any politica
or civil right, privilege or immunity enjoy
ed by any other class of mem and further
: more, that | will not in any way injure o
countenance in others any attempt to injnr
any person or persons on account OF past o
present support Of the government OF til
) United States, the laws of the Unite
States, and the principles Of the politics
@ and civil equality of all men, or of applies
' tion with any political party