New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-09-29

- any committee, or the action
VI .le senate itself, with injustice and with
parLallty: But must say that injustice
has been done to that section Of the on1lnfrv
| which, Mr. White reDresented upon fbie
/ floor. The report Of the Board of RegIstra-
tion would snow clearly that that respect
aoIe senatorial District had committed at
the last election the most outrageous frauds.
Now, with justice to that section Of the
State, and IN behalf OF the people Of the
parish OF Caddo, / do most solemnly aver
that no Justice has been shown In this in
vestigation. Take the report of the com.
mittee itself and all the evidence which has
Deen brought before the Committee on Elec-
tons and Returns, and they fail to establish
the fact that there was fraud in that election,
and show that the Republicans voted for
Mr: White in preference to his opponent,
and yet the committee rejected this evir
dence. They should have taken up the re-
port OF the Committee on tie Board Of
Registration which has been sci la by this
same Board, aud In violation of the CoLstf-
tuition of the State. But that irrelevant and
extorted evidence introduced by that Board
OF Registration has been incorporated into
this report of the Committee on Election
Returns, together with afiidavits of parties
from distance. ] ask is this fair and
impartial investigationy Can the Senate
arrive at any fair conclusion from it in the
premises? Have we any evidence OF parties
on the opposite side? Has single witness
there or intimidation? Not only that, but
the evidence of a cofored man taken be-
fore this committee, who was brought here
as witness of the honorable Mr. White,
showing that the colored people had voted
for Mr.. White in preference to G. @. An
then, Mr.. President, what little tes-
timony there was introduced in the
case on the part of Mr.. White and that was
the only testimony we could bring in be.
| cause the committee was restricted to the
evidence Of lllegality or ineligibility. The
Hon. Mr.. White was not before tie COM
mittee, and could not for that reason vindi.
cate the people of his district The OILY
| evidence that was taken for Mr.. White has
been excluded in this report. We are
asked to act simply upon the extorted state
ment OF ndividuals-evidenee of individ-
| uals who can not even sign their names,
When the interest of a whole community
and q whole State is at stake, as at present,
We should have an impartial investigation.
| We can arrive at no correct conclusion in
| the premises upon this report. II simply
announces the affidavit of Robert Beard,
| which is given as follows:
Air. Bacon: If the gentleman will allow me,
| | will call attention TO the fact that the hour
of one O'Clock has arrived, which, by pre-
ference, was made the time for the further
| consideration of the amendment to article
ninetynine Of the Constitution.
After some discussion, the case of Antoine
VS.. White was made the special order Of the
day tor Thursday, September "a, at one
O'Clock P. NJ.
The joint resolution to amend article
Iinety-nine of the Constitution of the State
being under consideration
Mr.. Ray: I ask that call of the House
may be made to see if sufficient number
of Senators are present to vote on the
question.
The call was made, and twenty-five sena-
tors found present.
Mr. Ray; renew the motion made yes
terday that this joint resolution be consid-
cred eDgrossed.
Mr.. Poindexter; I noTe to lay the motion
on the table.
Mr. Ray: That motion has been once
made and lost, and can not be renewed.
Mr. Lynch; Mr.. President, do not wish
to consume the time of the Senate in useless
debate. | do not know that this is the.
most appropriate time TO discuss this ques-
ton; but as it involves a principle which is
essential to the very existence of repub-
lican form of government, we ought to
study it with such care, calmness and de-
liberation as to be ready to act upon 1t in
telligently and at all times without hesita-
ton.
There is fundamental law to which the
organic law of every State and, indeed, all
human legislation must conform. The citi-
zen under government has right to look
beyond the written constitution to that
higher, nobler work, the constitution Of
man. The laws of just government wilt
merely respond to the demands of humanity.
They will prescribe that as a rule of human
conduct which the enlightened intellect and
high moral endowment write down in the
inner man-sanctioning what these sanction
and forbddlng what these forbid.
Written constitutions arc often regarded
with as profound q reverence as ii they
were the offspring Of divine inspiration.
The people are urged to bring all laws to
their high test. This is well ii the constitu-
tions are well. The first exhortation, then,
should be to bring written constitutions to
the test OF natural laws, to compare the
constitution OF government with the con~
stitution of man, and see whether they are
founded on right and justice.
The charter of mans rights and liberties
Is stamped upon his nature by the sovereign
of the universe; and if he surrenders the
right to appeal to this great charter. he is q
traitor to himself and to the laws of his
Creator.
In the light of these general principles.
which all will admit, let us fairly and dis.
passionately examine the question before us.
Republican form OF government can not
exist In its proper sense wherever any part
OF the people entitled to citizenship are de-
prlyed from having a voice in making the
laws which are to govern them, except for
crime. The article in question (ninety.nine)
| OF the Constitution of this State, deprives q
large portion of the citizens of voice in
making the laws, yet they have been con-
yicted OF no crime. The Courts are open,
but no one, is aSrsigned, tried, convicted OF
condemned.
| hold, sir, that when the whole people Of
| a State rise in revolt against the authority Of
the sovereign power Of the nation and estab-
lish de tacto government ,oyer millions Of
men, they can not be punished within the
narrow limits of criminal law. Their case
must be met on the broader principles of
statesmanship. And when they retnra to
their allegiance, acknowledging the sover-.
eign authority OF the central government
not being answerable to criminal law. the
very spirit and essence Of Repnblicanism
are violated by depriging any portion Of
| the citizens OF the State from voice In It's
government. Every principle which have
laid downto aid US ia this investigation is
In conflict with that portion of article ninety
nine OF the Constitution which il is the
| object OF this Joint resolution to erase. It
ought not, therafole. Is remain asportion Of
the Constitution Of this State q single day
longer than Is necessary to have it removed.
| | appeal to those who were lately enfran-
| chised 70 be careful how they act In this
matter. canton them against hasty action
| before they have examined the question
| thoroughly, and fully oomprehended how
| the defeat Of this resoletion would place
them before the civilized world.
/ What. sir, was the cohesive power that
| kept together and constantly added 10 their
number, the handful Of men who boldly de- ,
H.. 411.aar1