The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-16
Alabama Convention.

| Stdte ~ntHe, sent by our former fellow
townsman, VIM. II. Black, (son of r. o. Black,
of this city, member of the convention; Civ
ing areport Of the first few days proceedings
The most important questions likely to come
before the convention are those that refer ia
negro suffrage, and to the status of such OF
the white citizens as were engaged in the late
rebellion. These questions on the second day
OF the convention, were referred to special
committee, who, on the nth, made majority
and minority report. The majority of the
convention report in favor of provision to be
inserted in the new constitution, in substance
for the enfranchisement of all male citizens
OF twenty-one years and upwards, without re-
gard to race, color or previous condition, who
have resided in the State six months previous
to the election, excepting only those who,
while engaged in rebellion, violated the rules
OF civilized warfare and those convicted of
treason and other infamous crimes. Those
who, being registered at present. shall at the
next election refuse to vote for or against the
| ratification of the constitution are thenceforth
to be DISTINGUISHED. The oath presented for
voters requires an abandonment of the doc.
trine of secession, with the acceptance of the
political and civil equality of all men, and a
promise not to persecute Others for adherence
to the Union"
The minority report, presented by three
members OF the committee, proposes on the
same question provision requiring ga resi-
dence Oftwelve months in the State, and piycs
the franchise to all male citizens of twenty one
years and upwards, who shall take oath TO
support the constitution of the United States
and the union OF the States Hereunder, with
the constitution OF the State OF Alabama, dis
franchising only those who violated the rules
OF civilized warfare during the war, and per-
sons convicted of infamous crimes"
There is but one additional clause required
by this latter proposition to make it perfect.
In reference to negro suffrage, it should re-
quire some test as to the intelligence of the
voter, so that the hundreds of negroes who
are no more intelligent than common horse
should at least be able to understand what
voting means before being admitted to the
suffrage.
But as it u.s. this latter proposition, which
there is some hope of carrying through the
convention is so fair and just in its character.
as to take us by surprise; and still greater is
is our surprire to find so ultra radical a sheet
as the Chicago Tribune urging its adoption in
preference to the proposition of the majority
of the committee. On this subject the Tribune
says:
We know that We run counter to the opinion
OF the popular party in Alabama, and perhaps to
that also Of the most radical Republicans in the
Northwest, when we declare that, 10 US who
have clear view of the whole field covered by
the contest, and who can Judge of the fitness of
things without the disturbing influence of per.
sonal animosities which the war has engendered.
this report Of the minority is that which sound
policy, future safety and pure patriotism com.
mend as the measure to be adopted. 1t is due
to our Alabama readers, who are among the most
radical of the Radicals, that our reasons for this
opinion should be stated
We are earnestly, heartily and actively for
peace, hence we are just as earnestly, heartily
and actively opposed to all revengeful and vim
dictive law-makng by which that peace is in
danger OF being indefinitely postponed Resery.
ing the consciously guilty leaders of the late
rebellion for the judgment of: heaven, the law of
the land and the contempt Of mankind, we are in
favor Of restoring the body Of the lately sbel.
lious Southern people to the enjoyment Of all the
rights OF citizenship, on an equality with the
blacks whom our arms have emancipated and
enfranchised; and We would have the conven.
lions now session nd 70 al, kLol
restoration the order OF the day until it is accom-.
plished, to the end that all reasonable cause OF
complaint may be taken away. Hence, secondly,
we are opposed to the invention Of new crimes to
be punished by Observation-Disclosures like
this one discovered by the majority refusal to
vote; and we are not less opposed to all oaths ON
the part Of the citizen (which require him TO
abjure opinions no matter what they may be-
American law-making has crimes enough in its
schedule Of offences, without adding the alleged
sin of omission to do this or that act which NAV
morally be left undone, to the already lengthy
list And we are sure that the same law.makny
is as powerlesslover opinion as all the worlds
tribunals have heretofore been.
If the Alabama convention, which appears
to have in it some men Of good, hard sense,
possess moderation and patriotism to heed the
admonitiOns OF the Tribune, and the other
conventions soon to be held in the other States
OF the South, follow Alabama's example, the
construction question may yet be settled in
a way that will be satisfactory to all we'll
Wshers Of the country, however grievously it
may disappoint the crazy radicals Of the Wen
dell Phillips and Sumner school.
|