Des Arc weekly citizen. [volume] (Des Arc, Ark.) 1867-187?, 1868-02-22
. =
ron PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
rmE CONSTITUTION.


THE CONSTITUTION.
We are still without this document.
In our last issue we expressed hope that
we would be able to lay it, or a portion Of
ii. before cur readers this week, but IN
this we are disappointed. We cannon
sorhesr, however, giving our views upon
certain clauses which have come to pur
knowledge. It is useless in these times
of political darkness to attempt to hide
our real sentiments, or disguise our views
in regard to that party now striving to en-
gulf Arkansas in Radicalism or ruin. In
their nilaest expressions Of policy and
prineiule we cannot endorse. them, and
when they so insult decency and principle
MS to offer an honest people Constitution
40 black aud infamous, as by intimation
we know the Que now before the people OF
Arkansas to be, we turn from it in disgust
and loathe the party that gave 1t birth.
We have too much faith in the honest
pride of our people to entertain for mo
ment the thought that they will not repu-
date almost unanimously the action ofthe
Radical mongrels, in presenting so abom-
Unable an instrument AZ Constitution Tor
the government Of men We ask why
was it necessary to enfranchise the grovel-
ing, ignorant negro, and disfranchise wis
dom aud intelligence in the persons Of the
best men OF our State? We feel that this
was done for the Advancement Of party
plans, that Radicalism needed the negro
TO uphold its power, that the intelligent
class DISTINGUISHED By this proposed Con-
s.itution are in the way of greedy Office
seekers; aud feeling this, We are prepared
to despise the selfshness characterlzng
action that should have been for the good
of the whole people. Never once did this
unholy assemblage of the saints of Radi-
.eilism entertain liberal sentiment; the
neople were not considered in their delib-
erations, honesty and principle have been
overlooked; power and place held con-
stantly in view, aud the result is this
Constitution, smoking with the heat of
passionate hatred Of all that as people
lse have loved to cherish; sulphurous in
iniquity, and glistening with all the
olackness of Radical prejudice. How, We
ask, in the name of our manhood, can it
be expected that the people of Arkansas
will tolerate Acknowledgement of good
honest white men, aud sanction by vote
the enfranchisement of the negro, in whom
we know there is no good? yet, this is but
one Of the iniquities with which Radical
would curse the State. In this miserable
document which they cal Constitution
it is provided that tax shall be levied TO
establish and maintain schools, in which
no distinction shall be made on account oil
race or color What does this meanI just
nothing else than this, the white man
shall be taxed to educate the negro; for
where is the negro against whom tax is
assessed. or where is the white man who
will ever consent that his children shall
attend school where negro children are
allowed full privileges? Is there justice
in imposing on the white man who can
not vote tax to support the negro who
CAM This, with rsdicalisn, is equality
before the law-with us it is negro gu
premacy--nothing short of the oath re-
quired Of each person rcgistering-we say
nothing, as our readers have all seen it as
published last week---ot 1t they themselves
will judge. These are few Of the OBJ
iectional features of this constitution,
others great in proportion yet remain,
which at future time we will notice, but
II there were no more than we have emu
mcrated, it would be sufficiently odious to
meet with the hearty opposition of the peo-
pie Of Arkansas. This constitution is be-
fore the people, it remains with them to
vote it down, or supporting it, invite all
the evils that attend it, and the many more
that must follow. As for ourselves we op
posed the convention before it assembled,
we oppose it still--and this midnight pro-
duction Of radicalism we oppose more than
all else There is in i, not one redeeming
feature-to US it is destructive in its ma
ture, ruinous to our best interests in its re-
cults. Is our readers We say see to itthat
you are prepared to oppose this Infamous
constitution on the 18th of March--watch
for the day, watch your neighbor, let him
be no sluggard, watch yourself lest your
opposition sleep--let every energy be bent
for the defeat Of the purposes of our enc
mics. Let US all vote against il, thereby
doing our duty toward God, cur fellow
man, our country and ourselves.
THE President informs the cores
pondent of the Cincinnati Commercial
that Grant always opposed negro suf-
frage that Grant had himself sugges-