The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-24

secessionists of 1865 and the ordinances Of that
Convention, and compare them, article by
article and section by section, with the view
of determining in what particular, If any, the
last has exceeded its powers, or violated the
rights of the people. And first, upon the
vexed question of slavery Before we proceed,
however, let it be remembered, that the dele
gates to the Convention of 1865 were eXclu-
sively the leaders of the secessionists. Almost
every leading man in it had either been dele
gate to the Convention of 1861, which threw
Alabama out of the Union, or member of
secession Legislatures. In respect to slavery
compare the provisions of Parsons quasi
secession Convention, and this. By the Con-
ventiOn of 1866 it is said
thereafter there shall be in this State
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,
otherwise than for the punishment of
crime" etc.
By the Convention of 1867 it is declared:--
''That no form of slavery shall exist in
this State; that there shall be no involuntary
servitude otherwise than for the punishment
of crime" etc.
He must be an exceedingly nice hair-splitter
who can point out the difference.
But the Convention of 1865 was not satisfied
with constitutional provision. They were
mourners at the altar; and to make assurance
doubly sure, and to manifest the sincerity of
their repentance at the sins of secession, they
enacted an ordinance, on the 22d September,
1865, declaring-"That as the institution of
slavery had been destroyed in the State of
Alabama, hereafter there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude," etc.
"That the Constitution of 1861 be amended by
striking out all provisions relating to slaves
and slavery. That the Legislature, at its
next session, pass laws to protect freedmen
in the full enjoyment of all their rights of
person and property" etc.
Upon the subject of education, Parsons
Convention was not step behind that of 1867.
The latter declares that ga Board of Education
is established, and one-fifth of the annual ag-
gregate Of the revenue of the State is exclu-
/ sively appropriated to the maintenance of
/ the Public Schools" The Constitution of 1865
says, "The General Assembly SHALL from time
to time, enact necessary and proper laws for
the encouragement of schools, and the means
OF education, etc." We do not perceive that
this last has made better provision for sepa-
rating black from white schools, than has the
late Convention.
With respect to electors, the provisions of
both Constitutions are similar with the ex-
ception of the word "white," in that of 1865,
being substituted by the word "person," in
that of 1867; and following with the persons
excluded by the amendment to the Constitu-
tion and the acts of Congress.
Among the ordinances which all went i'm
mediately into effect, of the Convention of
1865, was one suspending writs of execution,
and requiring Sheriffs, upon payment of costs,
to return them 'stayed by operation of law"
Another ratifying hitherto invalid marriages,
and validating adulterous intercourse between
black and white; one excluding from limita-
tions the entire period of the war; one vacating
offices not filled by Governor Parsons; one
ratifying invalid Judgments one declaring the
war debt void; one declaring the Ordinance
and Constitution OF secession null and void;
and one fixing a standard by which debts con-
tracted in view of payment in Confederate
money should be settled. Here was legisla-
ton, judicial decision, and political action all
umplea uP tOgetheE, an gOlng an'o a OPefSuSSn or,
officers, enforced by courts, from that day to
this without murmur from any one; while
the acts of a convention authorized by act of
Congress, in strict conformity with the Recon
struction laws, are denounced wherever the
disunion element can raise yell or utter an
imprecation.